Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
KAURI COAST
Apart from the odd bluff and river, this coast is basically unbroken and undeveloped for the
110km between the Hokianga and Kaipara Harbours. The main reason for coming here is
to marvel at the kauri forests, one of the great natural highlights of NZ. You'd need 8m
arms to get them around some of the big boys here.
There are few stores or eateries and no ATMs north of Dargaville, so stock up before-
hand. Trampers should check DOC's website for walks in the area (
www.doc.govt.nz
)
.
For visitor information see
www.kauricoast.com
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Waipoua Forest
The highlight of Northland's west coast, this superb forest sanctuary - proclaimed in 1952
after much public pressure - is the largest remnant of the once-extensive kauri forests of
northern NZ. The forest road (SH12) stretches for 18km and passes some huge trees - a
kauri can reach 60m in height and have a trunk more than 5m in diameter.
Control of the forest has been returned to Te Roroa, the local
iwi
(tribe), as part of a set-
tlement for Crown breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. Te Roroa runs the
Waipoua Forest visitor
centre
(
09-439 6445;
www.waipouakauriforest.co.nz
;
1 Waipoua River Rd;
9am-6.30pm summer, to 4pm
winter)
, near the south end of the park.
Another option to visit the forest is on a twilight tour, departing from Omapere with
Footprints Waipoua (
Click here
)
.
Sights & Activities
Tane Mahuta
Near the north end of the park, not far from the road, stands mighty Tane Mahuta, named
for the Maori forest god. At 51.5m, with a 13.8m girth and wood mass of 244.5 cu metres,
he's the largest kauri alive, and has been holding court here for somewhere between 1200
and 2000 years.
TREE
