Wander the pathways of Pukeiti in any season - there's always so much to see in this spectacular rainforest garden.
Pukeiti is a 360 hectare rainforest park at the base of Taranaki Maunga (mountain), internationally renowned for its outstanding rhododendron collection which covers approximately 27 hectares. Less well known are the great rainforest walking tracks which cover the other 333 hectares of the property. Most of the large rimu trees were logged during the 1920s but now, nearly a century later the forest is covering the land once more. Pukeiti’s Rainforest tracks take you through this regenerating rainforest with remnant pockets of mature forest containing ancient rimu trees. There are spectacular views of the Tasman Sea and the Pouakai and Kaitake mountain ranges, especially from the summit of Puke Te Whiti, which has an altitude of 490 metres.
Pick up a Rainforest Day Walks map from the Rainforest Centre near the entrance of Pukeiti and go exploring. Pukeiti’s Rainforest Tracks offer a good range of half day hikes with toilets, a shower and a café with delicious food and drinks to look forward to on your return. The café is generally open 10am – 4pm (but not always in winter) and the garden and rainforest tracks are accessible all the time.
