Liz Carlson Go bush in Rotorua
Whenever I imagine Rotorua, I picture the geothermal wonderlands dotting the area, writes.
Tto be fair, that’s the image I had always been fed – a volcanic hotspot, literally, a place where geysers and hot pools intersect.
But there is more than meets the eye. What if we went just for the amazing forests and native bush in the area? Rotorua’s dense, lush forest is one of my favourite things about the area.
If you are a mountain biker, you have probably already discovered the amazing forest trails peppering the region, but for those of us who adventure more often on our feet, you might be surprised to learn just how amazing and diverse they are. For me, they are a destination in themselves, I could spend days wandering, and walking amongst the amazing trees.
Perhaps the most well-known is the Whakarewarewa Forest, or the Redwoods, an area that is home to 5600 hectares of incredible lush forest including California Coastal Redwoods. This forest is home to great bike trails for all levels, horsebackriding trails, and walking trails. There’s even a new that anyone can do.
My favourite time to visit is early when the sun starts to peek through the high trees.
With more than 130 kilometres of bike trails, Rotorua is the place to be if you like biking or are keen to improve, with a diverse range of levels so everyone can enjoy it. You can spend an hour there or all day, there is so much to see and do, and get above the canopy for some great views. You can hire bikes all over town or at the start of one of the trails, and there are even guided tours.
Finally, another forest worth visiting is near Hamurana Springs on the other side of the lake.
A peaceful forest walk takes you along a bubbling stream that ends up in the woods at a stunningly blue spring. You will pass through a grove of Redwoods along the way. With every step you feel like you are stepping back in time to a sacred almost jurassic location.
If you are more adventurous, join one of the Zipline Canopy Tours. It’s New Zealand’s only native forest ziplining tour.
The tours take you high among the trees, ziplining through the canopy and learning stories of the forest and animals that live there. Not to mention they fund a huge conservation project in the forest, so you’re giving back too.
Be sure to enjoy the region’s many amazing forests and bush.