The Waitutu Forest
This outstanding dense podocarp forest is situated on relatively gentle terrain, comprised of a series of uplifted marine terraces. It is part of the largest area of lowland coastal forest in New Zealand.
Dr David Bellamy described the Waitutu forest as “probably the most important forest in the world”. Thirteen distinct terraces have been mapped from the coast to over 1000 metres above sea level and up to 12 kilometres inland. These terraces have been uplifted over an extended period of time, with each level approximately 100,000 years older than the last. The forest contains rimu, miro, totara and southern rata, also kamahi, lancewood, ferns, orchids, etc. It provides safe haven for wood pigeon, tui, bellbird, and many other native species. “The whole of the Waitutu Forest covers some 45,000 ha of south eastern Fiordland and is part of the Fiordland National Park. This area is one of the largest tracts of unmodified lowland forest left in the country.” (https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation) The Waitutu Settlement included 2,171 hectares of Waitutu Forest. The forest is managed in conjunction with the Department of Conservation. Throughout the forest, there are a series of up-lifted marine terraces, which have recorded successive earth movement over 1 million years. These created relatively easy contoured to hilly and gullied terrain. The forest is a mix of hardwood, podocarp and beech and contains the greatest abundance and diversity of podocarps in Fiordland which is of important ecological value. The rich bird life in the forest contains rich yellow heads, rifleman, kaka, parakeets, New Zealand falcon, bell birds including the largest known population of South Island Kaka. |
BIRDS WITHIN THE FOREST |
The Wairaurāhiri River
The Wairaurāhiri River is 27 km from Lake Hauroko to the South Coast. It is often referred to as the “longest waterfall in New Zealand” as it falls 180 metres to the sea providing passengers with an exhilarating jet boat ride over grade-3 rapids.
The river is unique in that it’s secluded and winds its way through Virgin Beech forest over 1 million years old. The bush clad banks and large river boulders, all add to the uniqueness of the river.
As the jet boats speed their way towards the mouth of the river, one can’t help but become overwhelmed with the beauty of the wilderness which engulfs the environment and the river.
The river is unique in that it’s secluded and winds its way through Virgin Beech forest over 1 million years old. The bush clad banks and large river boulders, all add to the uniqueness of the river.
As the jet boats speed their way towards the mouth of the river, one can’t help but become overwhelmed with the beauty of the wilderness which engulfs the environment and the river.
Waitutu Forest Lodge
Email: [email protected] Phone: Lodge Manager - +64 (0)27 576 8702 Waitutu Incorporation Office Napier Email: [email protected] Phone: +64 (0) 27 3654958 |