National park · New Zealand
Waipoua Forest
Enter Waipoua Forest: pay NZ$10 entry, drive State Highway 12, hike the Tāne Mahuta loop (≈2 h) in autumn; avoid weekends for fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- Approx. 50 km² of protected kauri forest (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Waipoua Forest protects some of New Zealand's largest remaining kauri trees, offers short, well‑marked walks to iconic trees like Tāne Mahuta, and holds cultural significance for Māori. The forest is accessed via State Highway 12, with a NZ$10 entry fee, and provides nearby lodging at Waipoua Lodge and a campground.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected kauri forest.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 1979
Approx. 50 km² of protected kauri forest (check).
Why go
- See some of the largest remaining kauri trees, including Tāne Mahuta.
- Walk short, well‑marked loops through ancient forest.
- Learn about Māori cultural connections to the forest.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWarm, dry.
- FebWarm, dry.
- MarMild, fewer tourists.
- AprMild, good walking conditions.
- MayCool, still dry.
- JunCool, occasional rain.
- JulCool, higher rain chance.
- AugCool, higher rain chance.
- SepMild, improving weather.
- OctMild, dry.
- NovWarm, dry.
- DecWarm, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native birds (kereru, kiwi, tūī)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Endemic insects and spidersNov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Dargaville
Drive north on State Highway 12 for ~1 h (45 km (28 mi)).Drive north on State Highway 12 for ~1 h (28 mi (45 km)).
1 h
From Omapere
Drive south on State Highway 12 for ~20 min (15 km (9.3 mi)).Drive south on State Highway 12 for ~20 min (9.3 mi (15 km)).
0.3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance & visitor centre | Ticket office, information boards, short loop trail to Tāne Mahuta. | Open daily; vehicle access via State Highway 12. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the forest area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest entry | NZD 10 (≈ US$6) | person | Check latest price on DOC website. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Forest entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Dogs
- Not allowed on trails to protect native fauna.
- Camping
- Only permitted in designated campground; no wild camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided BBQs in campground.
Where to stay
Near the park
Waipoua Lodge
Four‑suite lodge 45 km (28 mi) north of Dargaville; rooms $650 NZD per night.Four‑suite lodge 28 mi (45 km) north of Dargaville; rooms $650 NZD per night.
Near the park
Waipoua Te Roroa Campground
Basic campsites $15‑$17.5 NZD per adult, $6.5‑$8.5 per child.
Safety
Slip on wet roots low
Heat in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance reachable by car; short loops suitable for wheelchair with assistance.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect kauri roots.
- Use refillable water bottles; no single‑use plastics in campground.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Waipoua Forest?
Entry is NZ$10 per adult; children under 5 free. Prices may change, so check the Department of Conservation (DOC) site.
What are the best hikes in Waipoua Forest?
The Tāne Mahuta loop (≈2 h, easy) and the Kauri Grove walk (≈1 h, easy) are popular; the Waipoua River walk offers a longer moderate trek.
When is the best time to visit Waipoua Forest?
Late spring to early autumn (October–April) gives dry conditions and good visibility; avoid winter rain if possible.
Can I bring a dog?
No – dogs are prohibited on all trails to protect native wildlife.
Is camping allowed in the forest?
Only in the designated Waipoua Te Roroa Campground; wild camping is not permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Waipoua Forest
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