Redwoods Visitor Centre

The Redwoods is a 6,000-hectare forest of ancient California coast redwoods mixed with native New Zealand bush, offering walking trails, mountain biking, and a canopy zipline experience. It's a unique forest ecosystem that provides an atmospheric retreat into nature just minutes from Rotorua's geothermal attractions.

Things to do

• Redwoods Treewalk Canopy Tour — Experience a thrilling zipline course through the canopy of ancient redwoods with multiple ziplines and suspended walkways offering panoramic forest views.
• Comet Mountain Bike Park — Ride specially designed mountain bike trails through the redwood forest, ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty levels with stunning forest scenery.
• Redwoods Walking Trails — Explore numerous walking paths through the mixed redwood and native New Zealand bush, from short 20-minute walks to longer immersive forest hikes.
• Visitor Centre Discovery — Learn about the history of the California redwoods planted in New Zealand, the native ecosystem, and local Māori cultural connections at the modern visitor centre.
• Forest Photography — Capture the atmospheric beauty of towering redwoods, native ferns, and dappled sunlight through the ancient forest canopy.

Food to try

• Café at Redwoods Visitor Centre — Enjoy locally-sourced coffee, light meals, and native New Zealand-inspired snacks in a modern setting overlooking the forest.
• Rotorua Venison Dishes — Sample local venison preparations available at nearby Rotorua restaurants, a regional specialty reflecting the area's farming heritage.
• Native Fern Frond Salads — Experience dishes incorporating native New Zealand plants like koru ferns and other indigenous ingredients at local Rotorua establishments.
• Thermal Spa Picnic Experience — Pack a picnic with local Rotorua produce and enjoy it in the forest, combining the forest atmosphere with regional fresh ingredients.

Local customs & good to know

• Māori Cultural Significance — Understand that the forest sits on lands of cultural importance to Māori; respect cultural sites and listen to interpretive information about Ngāti Whakaue connections to the area.
• Forest Conservation Ethos — Stay on marked trails and follow Leave No Trace principles to protect this unique mixed ecosystem of exotic redwoods and native New Zealand flora.
• Seasonal Weather Preparedness — The forest canopy creates damp, cool conditions year-round; bring waterproof layers even on clear days as moisture persists in the dense woodland environment.
• Early Visit Timing — Arrive early in the day to experience the forest's atmospheric morning light and avoid afternoon crowds, particularly during New Zealand school holidays.