Explore a magical world of tall trees, clear rivers and melodious birdlife in this magnificent 78,000 hectare forest reserve.
Pureora Forest Park can be explored from multiple entry points along State Highway 45 west of Lake Taupō. It is one of the largest intact tracts of native forest in the North Island and has high conservation value due to the variety of plant life and animal habitats available.
The park offers excellent camping, picnicking, swimming and forest walks. There are more than fifteen Department of Conservation managed walking tracks, ranging from ten minutes to three days in length. A highlight is climbing Mount Pureora (1165 metres).
Tall native trees - such as rimu, tōtara, mataī, miro and kahikatea - are found at lower altitudes along with tawa and tree ferns. As you climb higher, the forest changes and hardy plants like kāmahi and Hall's tōtara are found. Near the summit, sub-alpine herb fields dominate.
A specially built forest tower takes you right up into the forest canopy to listen to the chorus of songs from the many native birds that live here.
The popular Waihora Lagoon Walk takes just 20 minutes. Surrounded by tall rimu and kahikatea trees, the lagoon is one of Pureora Forest Park's most beautiful locations.