Whangarei
17.89°C
About
This is an easy wander suitable for children. The loop track leads you through a beautiful kauri forest with a chance to see glow-worms. This walk provides a good experience if you are wanting to learn more about New Zealand's native plants, as many of the plants along the way are named. If you go walking in the evening, you may be treated to a display from the local glow-worms when you get to the first of the track's boardwalks. The lower part of the track has an impressive stand of mature kahikatea as well as a diverse range of mosses and epiphytes. At the furthest point of the loop track, take time at the viewing platform to enjoy the grove of mature kauri trees.
If travelling south on SH10, Puketi Kauri Forest is signposted 2.4 km south of Kaeo. If driving north on SH10, 1 km north of Waipapa, turn left onto Pungaere Road and follow it for about 12 km (about 11 min drive). At the T-intersection, turn left, and follow the road for about 750 m. Turn right at the DOC sign for Puketi Kauri Forest and continue a short distance to the Puketi Recreational Area. The Puketi Nature Trail starts at the information sign shelter near the Puketi Forest Hut. The Puketi Nature Trail gives you a glimpse of the 17,000 hectare Puketi/Omahuta Forest.
Most of the forest's upper reaches were logged in the last century and then farmed up until the early 1930s – some of the original tōtara fence strainers still stand near the track.
Puketi Nature Trail
Free
