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pureora
Step into a primeval world
dominated by one thousand-year-old podocarp trees, which is
recognised as one of the finest rainforests in the world.
The Pureora is a magnificent forest covering the Rangitoto and
Hauhungaroa Ranges, west of Lake Taupo. The giant totara, rimu,
matai, miro and kahikatea trees tower 40-60 metres, and belong to
an ancient family of trees dating from the dinosaur era. There is
rich native bird life in this forest including the rare kokako
and the kaka, kakarihi and North Island robin.
The Pureora visitor centre gives access to an easy 30 minute
trail called the Totara Walk, which makes an ideal introduction
to the park. The centre will also direct you to an intriguing
geological site where 7 metres of volcanic ash buried an ancient
forest during the A.D.186 eruption of the Lake Taupo crater.
Massive hot ash and pumice showers flattened the ancestors of
today’s indigenous podocarp trees. Huge trunks lie in
parallel rows beneath the ash, testament to the force of the
blast that snapped them like twigs.
The park has a wealth of quality tramping experiences starting
with good tracks and wonderful views from the summits of Mt
Pureora (1165 metres) and Mt Titiraupenga (1,042 metres). The
Waipapa Walk is a loop that commences by the Pureora Forest Lodge
along the edge of the Waipapa Ecological Area. This walk offers
the best chance of hearing an early dawn chorus of the kokako.
Waihora Lagoon Walk reveals a beautiful reflective lake
surrounded by towering forest. Bog Inn Track is approached from
the Link Road and skirts around superb wetland while passing
through dense kamahi/broadleaf forest. From the Western Lake
Taupo Road (S.H.32), there is an excellent track leading from the
bridge into Waihaha Hut via a spectacular rocky gorge. You can
enjoy the evening chorus of birdsong while relaxing on the
veranda.
Pureora is a precious national resource - a remnant of the
ancient forests that once covered most of the country. It is a
perfect place to visualise primeval New Zealand.
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