The Redwood Memorial Grove Track is a 2-kilometre loop walk through the most photographed section of the Whakarewarewa Forest — the stand of Californian redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) planted in 1901 and now standing approximately 67 metres tall. The track is free, takes around 30–40 minutes at a relaxed pace, and is easy enough for all ages, including pushchairs. A boardwalk section crosses an old thermal pond, one of the small geothermal features woven through the forest floor.
Practical Information
| Distance | 2 km loop |
| Time | 30–40 minutes |
| Grade | Grade 1 — Easy; flat to gently undulating |
| Start / Finish | Redwoods Visitor Centre, Long Mile Road, off Tarawera Road, Rotorua |
| Surface | Well-formed path and boardwalk |
| Suitability | All ages; pushchairs; most wheelchairs on the main path |
| Cost | Free — the grove and walking tracks are public access |
| Parking | Free car parking at the Redwoods Visitor Centre |
| Facilities | Toilets, café, I-Site visitor information, Redwoods Treewalk (ticketed separately) |
| Getting there | ~10 minutes by car from central Rotorua |
The Redwood Grove
The memorial grove was established in 1901 as an experimental planting of Californian coastal redwoods — a species being trialled for commercial forestry at the time. The redwoods outgrew every other species planted in the trials and, while they were not adopted commercially, the grove was preserved as the trees matured into something extraordinary. The planting was later dedicated to the memory of the men of the New Zealand Forest Service who died in the First and Second World Wars.
Walking into the grove is immediately striking. The trees rise straight and branchless for most of their height, creating a cathedral-like canopy far above the forest floor. The scale is difficult to convey in photographs — at roughly 67 metres, these are among the tallest trees in New Zealand outside of the South Island’s tall kahikatea stands. The grove floor is shaded, quiet, and largely clear of undergrowth, which makes the trees the undivided focus of the space.
The Track and Boardwalk
The track follows a marked loop through the heart of the grove on a well-formed gravel and compacted earth path. The boardwalk section crosses an old thermal pond — a shallow, geothermally heated pool typical of the Rotorua district — with aquatic plant life visible below. This feature reflects the thermal activity that runs through the broader Whakarewarewa area, which includes the active geothermal park at Te Puia just outside the forest boundary.
The track is colour-coded red on the Redwoods trail map and is the shortest and easiest of the six marked walking tracks starting from the Visitor Centre. It connects to the longer Waitawa Walk (blue track, 3.4km) and Quarry Lookout Track (green track, 4.8km) for those wanting a longer outing.
What Else Is at the Redwoods
The Redwoods Visitor Centre is the hub for the entire Whakarewarewa Forest trail network. From here you can access all six walking tracks, the mountain bike trail network (200+ kilometres), and the Redwoods Treewalk — a ticketed elevated walkway through the redwood canopy on a series of suspension bridges. The Treewalk is a separate experience to the ground-level grove walk and operates with timed entry ticketing; book in advance, particularly in peak season.
Where to Learn More
The Redwoods – Short Walks — official page for the Memorial Grove Track and other easy walks in Whakarewarewa Forest, with map and track details.
Redwoods Treewalk – The Forest — background on the redwood grove and the elevated treewalk experience above the canopy.
Rotorua NZ – Whakarewarewa Forest Walking Trails — visitor information on all Redwoods walking tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Redwood Memorial Grove Track free?
Yes — walking the ground-level grove is free. The Redwoods Treewalk (the elevated suspension bridge walkway above the canopy) is a separate, ticketed experience.
How long does the Memorial Grove Track take?
Around 30–40 minutes at a relaxed pace. The loop is 2 kilometres and entirely at low gradient.
Is it suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs?
The main path through the grove is pram-friendly and suitable for most wheelchairs. The boardwalk section is slightly narrower but still accessible.
When were the redwoods planted?
In 1901, as part of experimental forestry trials. They were later dedicated as a memorial to Forest Service personnel who died in the two World Wars.
How tall are the redwoods?
Approximately 67 metres — among the tallest trees in the North Island of New Zealand.
Can I continue to other tracks from the Memorial Grove?
Yes — the Waitawa Walk (3.4km, blue markers) and Quarry Lookout Track (4.8km, green markers) both start from the same area and extend into the wider forest.
The Redwood Memorial Grove Track is the starting point for exploring the wider Whakarewarewa Forest trail network. See the cycling tracks and walking trails in Rotorua hub for all forest options, including the Waitawa Walk and Quarry Lookout Track for those wanting a longer outing from the same start point.
