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whirinaki
Take an opportunity to view a
central North Island forest park that is internationally renowned
for its magnificent podocarp forests.
The majestic trees are so ancient that the park has been
described as one of the best Mesozoic plant communities remaining
on earth. The British botanist Dr David Bellamy has taken a
personal interest in the conservation of this forest.
The Whirinaki Forest Park lies between the Kaingaroa Forest and
the Te Urewera National Park. Access is via S.H.38 from Murupara
turning off just before Te Whaiti. Alternatively, through
Kaingaroa Forest off S.H.38, where a complex system of logging
roads lead to several entry points. The park terrain varies from
gentle river flats to narrow gorges, waterfalls, and heavily
dissected uplands with a forest cover of dense podocarps and high
altitude beech. The most striking feature of the forest is the
density and size of the podocarp trees; kahikatea, totara, matai,
rimu and miro. Bird life is abundant, especially the rare kaka
and red and yellow crowned kakariki. The Whirinaki, Rangitaiki
and Whaeo rivers have excellent trout fishing and deerstalking is
popular.
The park has some outstanding short bush walks close to the main
entry point via Te Whaiti. The Forest Sanctuary is an easy loop
track through a reserve of towering trees, and the Whirinaki
Waterfall Track leads to this stunning waterfall. The Arahaki
Lagoon is a picturesque lake deep in the forest where stately
kahikateas stand rooted in the water and the Te Whaiti-Nui-a-Toi
Canyon is a spectacular rock-bound cascade. A very popular 4-5
day tramp is the Whirinaki Circuit following the Whirinaki, Te
Hoe and Okahu rivers and exiting on Okahu Road east of Te Whaiti.
Whirinaki Forest Park is one of New Zealand’s most famous
forest areas, with amazingly tall trees, cascading rivers and a
wide variety of habitats for wildlife.
The beauty of the forest is there for everyone to enjoy. Walk the
tracks and savour nature’s bounty in this woodland paradise.
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