Rotorua Nature Walks via @TravellingNikon

With so much to do and see in Rotorua, taking the time to slow down and smell the flowers is often missed. There are so many great nature walks around Rotorua for all ages and fitness levels; the only problem you have is getting to these Rotorua nature walks.

Some of these attractions will be hard to get to if you don’t have a car. Getting to the Redwood Forest is easily achievable on the local buses.

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If you are travelling around New Zealand, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will also find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.

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Whakarewarewa Forest

The walks in the Whakarewarewa Forest are a must-do when you visit this area as you walk with the giant Redwoods.

The bus stop is at the beginning of Long Mile Road, off Tawarewa Road. The starting point of the tracks is at the iSite.

The six tracks are colour-coded, making it easy to follow the trail. Mountain bikes and horses share some, but usually, you have the place to yourself.

Walking Track Guide. Rotorua nature walks. — *Information on the tracks you can do in the Whakarewarewa Forest.*

Memorial Grove and Waitawa Walks

Redwood Memorial Grove Walk and Waitawa Walk are easy, well-formed tracks that should be able to be done by everyone. Prams and wheelchairs can be used when it’s dry.

If you have time for nothing else, the Redwood Memorial Grove is a must-do walk. From the iSite, you walk through the well-formed path meandering through these giants. It is a magical place, and I don’t know about anyone else, but to me, it is a happy place.

There are surprises around every corner, with large ponds containing water so clear that it’s hard to tell there is water in photos. A boardwalk takes you across the water, and you also have another lookout if you turn left where the tracks turn off.

Clear Water. Rotorua nature walks. — *This is the most transparent water I have ever seen. Note the forest litter on the bottom of the stream.*

From here, you can enter into a world of ancient forests. Giant ferns tower over you, leading to interesting photos.

Nature in Rotorua. Rotorua nature walks.

Mokopuna Trail

Another easy track is the Mokopuna Trail. It is also shared with mountain bikes. I’ve done this walk a few times. The first time I did this track I came across two or three bikes, but in the subsequent walks I didn’t come across any more.

Fern Growing Horizontal then Vertical. Rotorua nature walks. — *Nature takes its own course. This fern grew horizontally before heading upwards.*

Quarry, Pohaturoa and Tokorangai Pa Walks

The three other tracks, Quarry, Pohaturoa and Tokorangi Pa, are more challenging. I haven’t done the Tokorangi Pa, but the other two are quite steep with steps in places. Now I’m not the fittest person, and I did find them challenging in parts, but the views from the top of Pohaturoa are worth the walk.

Rotorua. Rotorua nature walks. — *From the lookout, you can look out over Te Puia, Rotorua City Centre, Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island.*

The lookout from the top gives you a view stretching across the geothermal areas, Rotorua city centre and the lake, on a clear day, you can see forever. On the Pohaturoa track is also a mud pool on one of the side tracks. After going to the lookout, you can come back down and take the shortcut across to the track going back.

Quarry Track. Rotorua nature walks. — The tracks are well kept in the Whakarewarewa Forest, *where you feel like you’re walking amongst nature. On the Quarry Track*

Both tracks are diverse in their surroundings and foliage, with the Pohaturoa being the most diverse, as you pass through the Redwoods into bush and ferns to pine forests. This track shouldn’t disappoint anyone, although it does take at least 2-hours to complete.

Redwoods Treewalk By Day and Night

A great activity to do in the Redwood Forest is the Treewalk. Although you have to pay to go on these bridges amongst the trees, it will give you an entirely different perspective from being on the ground.

Lights in the Forest Rotorua. Rotorua nature walks. — *Lights set off a different mood as the sunsets.*

At night it takes on a new life as lights come on. Lights come on at dusk, and it’s then you can discover a world where fairies may appear around the base of trees and flit around the ferns.

For current Rotorua sunset times, please click here.

Redwoods Altitude is a high-altitude adventure. Take a 650m, 2-hour guided walk, zipline and jungle bridge adventure through the treetops. Safety gear is provided.

For more information, click here.

How to Get Here

You can either take a bus or drive to Whakarewarewa Forest. The Redwoods iSite Visitor Information Centre is on Titokorangi Road off Tarawera Road, 5 km or a 10-minute drive from Rotorua Central.

Hours

Click here for the seasonal hours.

Prices

For all prices click here and then choose the relevant adventure.

Lake Rotorua and Sulphur Point

Lakeside Lake Rotorua. Rotorua nature walks. — *Views along the waters of Lake Rotorua.*

From the lakefront, you can walk along the city side of the lake. Following a well-formed track, you have views of Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island, wetlands and water birds.

Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island. Rotorua nature walks. — *Mokoia Island sits in the middle of Lake Rotorua.*

Once you arrive at Sulphur Point, there are a jetty and picnic tables. Geese, shags, ducks and swans share the water with other water birds making Sulphur Bay a nature paradise.

The water becomes noticeably whiter once you turn into Sulphur Bay. You can follow the track along the banks of the bay, taking you past hot and sulphuric waters. You can either carry on or make a detour to the Government Gardens.

Sulphur Point Rotorua. Rotorua nature walks. — *The white waters of Sulphur Bay.*

Government Gardens

Rotorua Museum. Rotorua nature walks. — *The beautiful building houses the Rotorua Museum. For the moment, it’s closed as it’s being reinforced against earthquakes.*

The Government Gardens are 50 acres of parkland which contain historic buildings, geothermal features, fountains and Rose Gardens.

The areas in front of the Rotorua Museum are home to bowls, petanque and croquet. Gardens, fountains, hot pools and the Arawa War Memorial are covered by sealed paths leading you around the extensive area.

The Blue Baths

Blue Baths Rotorua. Rotorua nature walks. — *The Spanish Mission-styled building housing the Blue Baths.*

The Blue Baths are also in this parkland. Opened in 1933, they now have a juvenile pool and two soak pools. The Blue Baths are also closed but you can admire the architecture of the building.