The Redwoods - Whakarewarewa Forest

The Redwoods is located just 5 km south east of Rotorua city centre adjoining the larger Whakarewarewa Forest. It takes about 5 minutes by car, 20 minutes by bike or about 1 hour to walk. The City Ride bus service also passes by the end of Long Mile Road.

From the City Centre:

By Car...

Follow the signposts as if heading to the Rotorua airport. You will be travelling on TE NGAE ROAD. At the first large round-a-bout turn RIGHT onto TARAWERA ROAD. Turn RIGHT onto LONG MILE ROAD . It is the second street on your right and has a big black and white sign on the corner that says “The Redwoods.” The Redwoods Visitor Centre is the only building on this road and is about 1km from the corner.

On foot or by bike…

You can follow the same directions as above OR you can follow the scenic Rotorua Walk/Cycle way which takes you off the main roads. Join the trails on Amohau Street just outside the Sudima Hotel. Follow the blue & white walk/cycle symbols across Sulphur Bay, under Te Ngae Road and along the Puarenga Stream. At 99 Sala Street turn left across the bridge and continue following the symbols. You will walk through forest research tree trials and pop out across from the Redwoods Visitor Centre car park.

By bus…

The Cityride bus service operates Monday to Sunday except public holidays. Take bus route three: Owhata, from the main bus stop on Pukuatua Street in the city centre. They leave every ½ an hour from 6.50am. Signal the bus driver to stop on Tarawera Road near the corner of Long Mile Road. Look for the big black & white sign that says “The Redwoods”. The Redwoods Visitor Centre is the only building on this road and is about 1km walk from the corner.

For a location map please click here.

For a full copy of our brochure with a location map click here.

This is the place to go for all your track maps and forest information. Let the friendly shop staff help you to make the most of your unique forest experience with up to date information and advice. It is also the perfect place to find and extra-special keepsake to remind you of your visit. The shop specializes in handcrafted native wooden gifts and NZ made gifts inspired by nature. There is picnic & toilet facilities available and ample parking right outside the door. Hot/cold drinks, ice- creams and snack food are also available for purchase.

For a full copy of our brochure with a location map click here.

The Redwoods Visitor Centre & Gift Shop is open everyday except for Christmas.

Summer (October to March)

Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Weekends & Public holidays - 10.00am to 5.00pm

Winter (April to September)

Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 4.30pm
Weekends & Public holidays - 10.00am to 4.00pm

The main gates are open for vehicle access at 5.30am and close at 8.30pm. You can walk/bike in at any time. We would encourage use of the forest in daylight hours only for your own safety.

Entry to the forest is FREE.

Advice, friendly service and smiles are FREE.

Maps & information are available form the Redwoods Gift Shop & Visitor Centre.

For information about maps click here.

There are a couple of options….

The Manky is a cool new fabric forest map or …map on a hanky! Made of micro-fibre the Manky is durable, legible when wet, can be washed and dried, is absorbent, anti-bacterial, eco-friendly and totally re-usable. And you don't need an origami degree to fold it. It can be stuffed in your bag or pocket or tied around your bike's handle bars. And at the end of its life as a map you can use it to clean the windows!

The Manky is just right for those who want something easy to carry and who need a convenient navigation tool. It's got mountain biking information on one side and walking info on the other. Regular retail price is $13.50.

Also available is the Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest Recreation Guide. The Guide is fantastic for people who want comprehensive information about the forest and tracks to plan their visit and to find out which tracks, and riding and walking routes will suit them best. It's also perfect for visitors who want something to take away with them with lots of information about where they went in the forest and what they saw on the way. Regular retail price is $6.50.

If you need a Manky or a Recreation Guide - or both - they're available now at The Redwoods Gift Shop & Visitor Centre. Contact them to arrange delivery click here,

By purchasing a Guide or Manky you are supporting maintenance of the tracks and facilities in the forest. Remember entry to the forest is FREE.

Don't forget to call in and see the friendly staff at The Redwoods Gift Shop and Visitor Centre who can offer great advice and provide you with vital information on forestry operations, forest safety, closures, track maintenance and diversions.

Physical Address:

Redwoods Gift Shop & Visitor Centre
Long Mile Road
Rotorua

Postal Address:

Redwoods Gift Shop & Visitor Centre
Rotorua District Council
Private Bag 3029
Rotorua Mail Centre, Rotorua 3046

Phone:

Visitor information desk/retail + 64 7 350 0110
Fax + 64 7 350 0111
Manager: + 64 7 350 0112
Email: click here

The Redwoods – Forest, Gift Shop & Visitor Centre is managed by The
Rotorua District Council

The greater Whakarewarewa Forest is managed by Kaingaroa Timberlands.

The Whakarewarewa Forest is a multi-use facility for walkers, mountain
bikers and horse riders to enjoy and explore. So everyone has a great
experience please respect the code below.

We do the best we can to provide a good amount of information to be of assistance without sending you into overload but if you do have any questions before your visit please click here and we’ll get back to you with an answer as soon as we can.

Likewise if your recent visit to The Redwoods has raised any questions or you would like to make comments about your visit please click here.

We would love to here what you have to say - comments both positive and constructive are of value to us.

If you would like to find out more about Rotorua and what it has to offer please click here.