Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Te Matua Ngahere, Four Sisters & Yakas
From the Kauri Walks car park, a 20-minute (each way) walk leads past the Four Sisters, a
graceful stand of four tall trees fused together at the base, to Te Matua Ngahere (the Fath-
er of the Forest). At 30m, he's shorter than Tane Mahuta, but still has a significant presen-
ce. Reinforced by a substantial girth - he's the fattest living kauri (16.4m) - the tree
presides over a clearing surrounded by mature trees resembling mere matchsticks in com-
parison.
A 30-minute (one way) path leads from near the Four Sisters to Yakas, the seventh-
largest kauri.
TREE
Lookout
For a bird's-eye view over the canopy, head to the forest lookout, near the very south end
of the park. You can either drive to it (the road is well signposted but not suitable for
campervans) or take the 2.5km Lookout Track from the visitor centre.
LOOKOUT
Waipoua Visitor Centre
(
www.waipouakauriforest.co.nz
;
1 Waipoua River Rd; 9am-6.30pm summer, to 4pm winter)
Interesting ex-
hibition on the kauri forests, guided tours ($25), flax-weaving lessons ($5) and a good
cafe. You can also plant your own kauri tree - complete with GPS coordinates - for $180.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Sleeping & Eating
Waipoua Forest Campground
( 09-439 6445;
www.waipouakauriforest.co.nz
;
1 Waipoua River Rd; site/unit/house from $15/20/175)
Situated
next to the Waipoua River and the visitor centre, this peaceful camping ground offers hot
showers, flush toilets and a kitchen. The cabins are extremely spartan, with unmade squab
beds (bring your own linen or hire it). There are also whole houses for rent, sleeping 10.
CAMPSITE
$
Waipoua Lodge
( 09-439 0422;
www.waipoualodge.co.nz
;
SH12; r $585)
This fine old villa at the southern edge of
the forest has four luxurious, spacious suites, which were originally the stables, the
woolshed and the calf-rearing pen. Decadent dinners ($75) are available.
B&B
$$$
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