Last updated November 2026
The tallest redwood in Whakarewarewa Forest stands about 72 metres high, in a grove first planted in 1901 on the edge of Rotorua. The council calls it The Redwoods: Tītokorangi and Whakarewarewa Forest, and its visitor centre is about 5 km south-east of the city centre, off Tarawera Road on Tītokorangi Drive (Long Mile Road).
The forest website puts its size at over 5600 hectares, most of it working plantation forest, with networks of walking, mountain biking and horse trails running through it.
Entry to the forest is free, and so are the isite visitor centre and gift shop on Tītokorangi Drive. Walkers and riders can come and go at any hour, while the vehicle gates open at 5.30am and close at 10.30pm.
Practical Information
- Location
- Tītokorangi Drive (Long Mile Road), off Tarawera Road, Rotorua
- Distance from the city
- About 5 km south-east of the Rotorua city centre
- Size
- Over 5600 hectares (redwoods.co.nz)
- Opening hours
- Vehicle gates 5.30am to 10.30pm; walking and biking access at any time; visitor centre and gift shop 7am to 11pm daily, closed Christmas Day
- Fees
- Free entry to the forest, tracks, gift shop and visitor centre
- Dogs
- On a lead in The Redwoods (Tītokorangi); off lead allowed in the Scion area across the road
- Facilities
- isite visitor centre and gift shop, walking and mountain bike tracks, horse trails, orienteering courses, outdoor function facilities
- Status
- Rotorua Lakes Council: The Redwoods, Tītokorangi and Whakarewarewa Forest page
About Whakarewarewa Forest
Whakarewarewa is a large forest, not just a single grove. The forest website describes the greater part of it as productive plantation forest, where all stages of the plantation management cycle can be seen from time to time.
The council page names the Californian coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) the forest is known for, along with native ferns. The forest website also notes that local Māori have an affiliation with the land.
The council describes the forest as only five minutes’ drive from central Rotorua, and the forest site gives about 20 minutes by bike or an hour on foot to the visitor centre. Its tracks pass through redwoods and native ferns, and the council lists panoramic views of the city among the forest’s draws.
The Tītokorangi, The Redwoods isite Visitor Centre and gift shop on Tītokorangi Drive hands out maps and information. The council’s page also lists the Tree Walk, orienteering courses, outdoor function facilities and a multisport venue.
History of the Forest
Scion, whose site now occupies the old nursery land, tells the story on its website. The Whakarewarewa Nursery was set up in 1898 on about 50 acres at the base of low hills, part of a national scheme to plant forests.
The first exotic trees went into Whakarewarewa Forest in 1899, from seed carried to New Zealand by sailing ship, and by 1909, 5000 hectares had been planted around the nursery.
The first Californian redwoods were planted in 1901. According to the forest website, the original grove covered 12 hectares, of which six survive. Scion notes that nursery-grown redwoods did not perform well when planted in large numbers. In the grove, the largest tree is now about 72 metres tall and about 169 cm across.
The Redwood Memorial Grove was declared a memorial to members of the New Zealand Forest Service who died in the First and Second World Wars. Scion says the forest opened to the public in the 1970s; about a decade later, mountain bikers began building trails.
Walking, Riding and Horse Trails
Walking
Six signposted walking tracks start from the visitor centre and are marked with colour-coded arrows. Across the forest, tracks range from short walks of up to an hour return on well-formed tracks to tramping routes for fit, experienced people with good backcountry navigation skills.
Some tracks are dual use, where mountain bikers must give way to walkers, and forestry roads are shared with vehicles and horses.
Mountain biking
Mountain bike trails run through the forest, including the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, which the forest website lists as a Great Ride. Bike hire and shuttles are available.
Horse riding
Four horse trails are listed: a short Bridle Trail loop of about 30 minutes through the redwoods and a stand of eucalypts, suggested for new riders; the Tokorangi Pa Lookout Trail, climbing east to 500 metres; the Katore Wash Trail (2 to 2.5 hours); and the Radio Hut Lookout Trail (1 to 1.5 hours), which passes the Whanga-pipiro mud pool.
Dogs in the Forest
Dogs must be on a lead in The Redwoods (Tītokorangi), which the forest website says helps families with young children, older visitors and overseas visitors unused to dogs feel at ease.
Across the road, in the Scion area, dogs can run off lead. There are no formal tracks there and the land is used for tree trials, so work may be under way at any time: follow any warning signs. Clean up after your dog.
Where to Learn More
Rotorua Lakes Council: The Redwoods, Tītokorangi and Whakarewarewa Forest: free entry, gate and visitor centre hours, and what is in the forest.
The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest: walking, biking and horse trail maps, dog walking rules and how to get there.
Scion: Forestry grew from here: the history of the Whakarewarewa Nursery and the first plantings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to visit the Redwoods?
Yes. Entry to the forest, tracks, gift shop and visitor centre is free.
What are the opening hours?
Walkers and riders can enter at any time. The vehicle gates open at 5.30am and close at 10.30pm, and the visitor centre and gift shop are open 7am to 11pm daily except Christmas Day. The council encourages using the forest in daylight hours.
How far is the forest from Rotorua?
The visitor centre is about 5 km south-east of the city centre, about five minutes by car.
When were the redwoods planted?
In 1901. The original grove covered 12 hectares, and six hectares survive.
Can I take my dog?
Yes, on a lead in The Redwoods (Tītokorangi). Dogs can run off lead in the Scion area across the road.
Can I ride a horse in the forest?
Yes. The forest website lists four horse trails, from the 30-minute Bridle Trail to the Katore Wash Trail of 2 to 2.5 hours.
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