Kauri Forest Walk in Puketi Forest
A kauri forest walk through Puketi Forest is an opportunity to experience one of New Zealand's most remarkable native forests up close.
Located around 30 minutes from Paihia, Puketi Forest is an ancient kauri rainforest covering approximately 15,000 hectares and is home to an incredible variety of native plants, trees and wildlife.
With Adventure Puketi, you can explore this unique environment on a guided Puketi nature trail, learning more about the forest, its inhabitants and the importance of protecting this special ecosystem.
Discover Puketi Forest
Puketi Forest is one of Northland's significant areas of native rainforest. The subtropical forest contains more than 360 indigenous plant species, creating a rich and diverse environment for native wildlife.
At the heart of the forest are its ancient kauri trees. Kauri have evolved in isolation for thousands of years and are found naturally only in New Zealand. Their enormous trunks and distinctive canopies are one of the defining features of a Puketi kauri forest experience.
Alongside kauri, you can see a range of other native trees and plants, including tawa, rimu, totara, tanekaha, tree ferns and nikau, New Zealand's native palm.
A guided rainforest walk provides the chance to slow down and take in the different layers of this ecosystem, from the forest floor to the canopy above.
Native Wildlife in Puketi Forest
Puketi Forest provides habitat for a variety of native birds and wildlife. Depending on the conditions and time of day, visitors may hear or spot species including tui, kōkako, fantail, pied tit, banded rail, fernbird and kukupa.
The forest is also home to other native species, including the Northland green gecko and tusked weta.
One of the benefits of exploring the forest with a guide is learning more about the animals and plants that call Puketi home. Rather than simply following a track, an eco walk can provide a deeper understanding of how the different parts of the forest ecosystem connect.
Protecting Puketi's Ancient Kauri
Puketi Forest is a valuable natural environment, but its ecosystem faces ongoing threats. Introduced pests including possums, stoats and ferrets can affect native plants and wildlife, while kauri dieback is a serious threat to kauri trees.
During a guided walk, Adventure Puketi guides share more about these challenges and the practical steps visitors can take to help protect the forest.
Understanding how to care for the environment is an important part of experiencing Puketi Forest, New Zealand. Simple actions can help minimise the spread of threats and protect the forest for future generations.
Guided Puketi Forest Walks
Adventure Puketi offers DOC-approved guided day and night walks through the Puketi Forest, with small groups of up to six people. This provides a more personal experience and plenty of opportunity to ask questions along the way.
The forest is approximately a 30-minute drive from Paihia, and a return shuttle from Paihia can be arranged.
Puketi Eco Walk
The Puketi Eco Walk is a three-hour guided experience suited to light to moderate fitness levels. Along the way, your guide will share information about the forest, its native species and the conservation challenges facing the ecosystem. Refreshments are provided during the walk.
Puketi Eco Hike
For those wanting more time in the forest, the Puketi Eco Hike is a six-hour guided experience with a 9.30am departure. The full-day hike is suited to moderate to good fitness levels and includes bottled water, morning tea and lunch.
Spending longer in the forest allows you to explore further and gain a deeper understanding of the unique environment that makes Puketi so special.
Puketi Night Walk
Puketi Forest takes on a completely different character after dark. The guided night walk lasts up to three hours and uses head torches to explore the forest at night.
Listen for the calls of ruru (morepork) and kiwi, while keeping an eye out for weta and glow worms along the way. You may also encounter bats as you experience the forest after sunset.
Experience Puketi Forest With a Local Guide
Whether you are interested in ancient kauri, native wildlife or New Zealand's unique rainforest ecosystems, a guided kauri walk in Puketi Forest offers a chance to experience the forest while learning about the environment around you.
From the towering kauri and native tree ferns to birdsong, weta and glow worms after dark, Puketi Forest offers something different at every turn. With small-group guided experiences and knowledgeable guides sharing the stories of the forest, you can explore this remarkable part of Northland while gaining a better understanding of why it is worth protecting.