10 Best Kauri Forests in Northland

Last Updated: 17 July, 2026

Where to See Kauri in Northland

New Zealand is famous for its wealth of lush native forest which covers about 26% of New Zealand. However, some of the most mesmerising forests can be found in the Northland region of the North Island thanks to its remaining stands of kauri.

Kauri are New Zealand’s largest and oldest trees, where some trees are even believed to have been saplings during the bronze age, some 3,000 years ago! While kauri are a breathtaking sight to see themselves, the diverse and wild vegetation around the kauri is another thing to be awed by.

With all that in mind, if you want to see these tremendous living entities, visit the kauri forests in Northland listed below.

1. Waipoua Forest

Let’s start with some of the biggest and oldest kauri in the whole of New Zealand! Tāne Mahuta (The Lord of the Forest) is the largest known living kauri in New Zealand, standing 51.2 m (168 ft) tall with a trunk girth of 13.77 m (45.2 ft).

The wheelchair and buggy-accessible walk reaches the viewing platforms after just 166 m (181 yards), taking around five minutes one way.

Meanwhile, Te Matua Ngahere (The Father of the Forest) and other notable kauri can be accessed via the separate Kauri Walks area. These walks take only five to 20 minutes to complete one way, making them some of Northland’s easiest encounters with ancient forest giants.

Location: The Waipoua Forest and its walks are accessed off State Highway 12 just south of the Hokianga Harbour on the Kauri Coast.

2. Trounson Kauri Park

Further down the Kauri Coast lies another spectacular kauri forest waiting to be discovered. The Trounson Kauri Park protects one of New Zealand’s finest dense stands of kauri across 586 ha (1,448 acres).

Its 1.6 km (1 mi) loop walk takes around 40 minutes, following an undulating mix of raised boardwalk and surfaced track beneath mature trees, ferns and epiphytes.

The reserve has been managed as a mainland conservation island since 1995 and supports North Island brown kiwi, kūkupa, bats and kauri snails. Walking after dark gives you a chance to hear nocturnal wildlife.

Trounson Kauri Park Campground, a bookable campground beside the reserve makes it easy to explore the forest during both daylight and evening hours.

Remember to use the footwear-cleaning stations every time you enter and leave.

For more places to see glowworms, check out the 10 Best Places to See the Famous Glowworms in New Zealand.

Location: Trounson Park Road off State Highway 12 between the Waipoua Forest and Dargaville.

3. Puketi Forest and Omahuta Forest

Delve into the more than 21,000 ha (51,892 acres) of the Puketi and Omahuta Forests in the heart of the Bay of Islands.

Together, they form one of Northland’s largest and most intact native forest areas, with important remnants of lowland mixed kauri forest alongside taraire, tōtara, kahikatea, rimu and hundreds of other indigenous plant species.

For an easy introduction, take the wheelchair and buggy-accessible Manginangina Kauri Walk. Its 350 m (383-yard) boardwalk takes around 15 minutes return, passing swamp forest before reaching a large viewing area among mature kauri.

For something longer, try the 1.6 km (1 mi) Puketī Nature Trail, which takes around 1 hr and includes labelled native plants, a mature kahikatea grove and the possibility of seeing glowworms after dark.

Location: Pungaere Road just off State Highway 10, about 600 m (0.3 mi) north of Waipapa.

4. Tane Moana Walkway

See the largest kauri on the east coast of New Zealand, Tane Moana. This giant tree can be found along the Tane Moana Walk, which follows a short section of the Te Araroa Trail near Tutukaka Coast.

The track takes you through forest with pine trees and native birdlife where you can spot fantails and kereru birds.

The complete walk is 2 hours one-way or 4 hours return to reach Tane Moana, which measures 11 m (36 ft) in circumference.

Location: End of Clements Road just outside of Matapouri, Tutukaka Coast.

5. AH Reed Kauri Park

Just a walk or quick drive from the city centre of Whangarei, AH Reed Memorial Park is a magnificent remnant of the original Northland kauri forest. Maturing kauri trees at least 500 years old can be easily viewed close up from the raised Canopy Loop walk through the forest canopy.

The bubbling Wai Koromiko Stream runs through the middle of the park, and the Paranui Falls, at over 23 m (75 ft) high, are well worth a visit.

Find out how you can link this walk with others in Whangarei in our 20 Best Walks in Whangarei & Whangarei Heads.

Location: Whareora Road, Tikipunga, Whangarei.

6. Pakotai Track

An easy-going yet little-known track in the Northland region, the Pakotai Track proves you don’t need a long hike to encounter an impressive mature kauri.

This 91 m (100-yard) return walk takes around 10 minutes, climbing through mixed podocarp forest on a well-graded path with several steps.

The main attraction stands at the end of the track, where you can appreciate the size of the mature tree from the designated viewing area.

It’s a peaceful alternative to Northland’s busier kauri walks, though its rural location between Kaikohe and Dargaville means you shouldn’t expect extensive visitor facilities.

Location: Murray Road; 1.7 km (1 mi) down Murray Road when coming from Kaikohe, 4.5 km (2.8 mi) down Murray Road when coming from Dargaville.

7. Ōpua Kauri Walk

For those exploring the Bay of Islands, a pleasant stroll through kauri forest can be found between Paihia and Kawakawa. The Ōpua Kauri Walk is an easy 30-minute return track that follows regenerating forest and sections of boardwalk to an elevated viewing platform.

From the lookout, you’ll see kauri at different stages of growth, ranging from young trees around 25 years old to mature specimens estimated to be about 400 years old.

A bench at the platform lets you take in the peaceful valley without disturbing the trees’ sensitive roots.

The Oromahoe Traverse links the Ōpua Kauri Walk to Paihia, taking a further two hours.

Location: Oromahoe Road, Ōpua.

8. Buried Kauri Forest

Kauri can not only be found growing on the ground but also under the ground. Just north of Kaitaia lies Gumdiggers Park, home to two prehistoric kauri forests buried beneath the surface.

The site preserves exposed logs believed to be over 100,000 years old (some dating back 40,000-150,000 years). These ancient remnants offer a rare glimpse into kauri forests that once dominated Northland before natural events buried them over thousands of years.

The park occupies an authentic gumfield where workers once searched for valuable kauri gum. You’ll learn about the lives of the gumdiggers, the uses of the resin they harvested, and the geological events that may have preserved these ancient forests.

There’s also an eco-trail through regenerating mānuka habitat.

Location: Heath Road, Awanui, approximately 8.4 km (5 mi) north of Kaitaia via State Highway 1.

9. The Kauri Museum

Ok, so this isn’t exactly a kauri forest, but if you’re interested in the kauri logging and gumdigging history that shaped almost the entire Northland region, then don’t miss The Kauri Museum.

This museum provides essential context for understanding how kauri shaped Northland’s environment, communities and industries through its collections on forest life, timber milling, gumdigging and furniture-making.

Highlights include the world’s largest kauri gum collection (containing around 5,000 pieces), huge logs, working machinery and a full-sized reproduction steam-powered sawmill.

You can also walk through the atmospheric “Forest Walkway”, which introduces the origins and Māori stories associated with kauri.

Location: 5 Church Road, Matakohe, approximately 45 km (28 mi) south of Dargaville via State Highway 12.

10. Kauri Galleries

Again, not a kauri forest but locals in the area have turned what timber remains into impressive and valuable works of art and furniture. Especially in Dargaville, there are plenty of places to see local kauri art.

A must is The Woodturner’s Kauri Gallery & Working Studio and Tika Pono Toi Gallery & Studio to see art carved out of kauri wood and meet the artists who have sculpted these marvellous creations.

Further north, Nelson’s Kaihu Kauri Gallery adds to the flavour with kauri carvings, pottery, glass-blowing, greenstone, handmade soaps and all sorts of locally-made gifts.

Finally, just north of Kaitaia, Kā Uri is a popular pitstop with kauri and Maori crafting exhibitions and homeware and artwork for sale.

Location: The Woodturner’s Kauri Gallery – 71 River Road, Dargaville. Tika Pono Toi Gallery & Studio – 3 Poto Street, Dargaville. Nelson’s Kaihu Kauri Gallery – 2888 State Highway 12, RD 9, Kaihu. Kā Uri – 8.4 km (5 mi) north of Kaitai on State Highway 1.

More About Northland Forests

Still don’t get what all the fuss is about? Check out Why is New Zealand so Fascinated with Kauri? Otherwise, check out more of our insightful articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in 101 Things to Do in New Zealand: The Ultimate List.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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