Top tips for walks in the Whirinaki Forest Park

Whirinaki Forest Park is a true hidden gem in New Zealand, offering an incredible experience for nature lovers and families alike. Our family loved exploring this beautiful podocarp forest with its towering trees and serene atmosphere.

Whether you’re in for a short stroll or a multi-day adventure, Whirinaki has something for everyone. Here are our top tips for walks in this enchanting forest.

Walks from the DOC Recreation Camp

There are a few different walks you can do from the DOC Recreation Camp, one of a few starting points for walks in the Whirinaki Forest Park.

Firstly, a short track, maybe 10 minutes, takes you from the camp to the river.

Or, you can take longer walks from a starting point across the road from the camp.

The Wiremu Merito track is beautiful, leading you through a dense canopy of massive podocarp trees. It’s gently undulating and takes about 30 minutes.

The lookout track is a little longer and steeper but still easy enough. Our littlest person moaned a bit on the way up but then happily ran all the way down with her sister😆.

To do this one, start on the Wiremu Merito track. The lookout track is marked and branches off after about 30 minutes.

We met a few people at the DOC recreation camp. They had booked it out with a bunch of friends. It’s only $100 per night to book the entire camp, which includes several cabins. What a neat idea for an idyllic nature escape off the beaten track.

Walks from the Whirinaki Forest Car Park

The Whirinaki Forest Car Park is the best starting point for a selection of hikes ranging from short walks to multi-day hikes in the Whirinaki Forest.

You have to be prepared to drive a little way on gravel roads to access these walks, but they’re well worth it! The forest is somewhat off the beaten track (access from the small settlement of Minginui in the central North Island), so the trails are lovely and quiet.

On the way to the Whirinaki Forest car park, you’ll pass the River Road car park. You could stop here and do the H-tree track (a 45-minute) loop walk or go mountain biking.

Once you reach the Whirinaki Forest car park, you have several choices. You could continue about 1.5 kilometers further along a gravel road to the Arohaki Lagoon car park, where there’s a 3-hour return walk.

You can also embark on one of the trails directly from the Whirinaki Forest car park. The Waiatiu Falls track takes about 1.5 hours return, but it was closed when we went.

If you have kids with you and just want a short trail, you can walk to the Te Whaiti-nui-o-toi canyon, which is about 15 minutes each way.

You’ll know you’re there when you reach the signed junction. One sign points to the Whirinaki waterfall trail (3-4 hours return) and another to a backcountry hut for those on multi-day walks. The canyon is below a small bridge just past the sign to the backcountry hut.

If you’re up for multi-day walks, there are two, three, and five-day options here!

We just walked the short trail, which was well-marked and absolutely gorgeous. It’s a podocarp forest with giant native trees such as totara, rimu, and kahikatea.

It’s dark in there under the shelter of the trees. Most of them are moss-covered with fascinating shapes. The whole place has a fairytale-like feel, and our kids loved exploring and imagining all the little creatures that could live in a place like this!

Check out the beautiful Mangamate waterfall while you’re in the area

If you’re hiking in the Whirinaki Forest Park, visit the Mangamate waterfall near Minginui while in the area!

You must drive a short distance along a pothole-filled gravel road, but as long as you don’t mind that, the waterfall is a lovely place to visit.

There are picnic benches to enjoy your lunch, and it’s quite an off-the-beaten-track area, so it should be an excellent spot for quiet relaxation.

We saw no other people while we were there (it was a school day in April😆). The girls braved the freezing water even though we didn’t have towels!

Walks in the Whirinaki Forest Park | In Conclusion

Walking through Whirinaki Forest Park is like stepping into another world. From the impressive trees to the peaceful trails, it’s a place that invites exploration and imagination. We only touched the surface of its enchanting beauty and hope to tackle one of the family-friendly multi-day hikes next time we’re in New Zealand!

Whether you’re seeking a long hike or a short stroll with the kids, this magical setting can help you create unforgettable memories. So, lace up your walking shoes, pack some snacks, and prepare for an adventure in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful forests!