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Footprints Waipoua
Footprints Waipoua
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Waipoua Forest, New Zealand

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Tours and Tickets by Footprints Waipoua
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles520 reviews
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483
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Anita O
Mannheim, Germany1,018 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
We had already stopped by at Waipoua Forest on our way to Omapere and I wondered whether it would really be worthwhile to go there a second time with a guide. It is definitely worth it! Charlie met us at the Copthorne Hotel - it was the two of us, Belinda and Philipp from Melbourne and another young Australian guy, all booked for the Twilight Encounter... My husband and I more or less did the same walks as on the day before but it was different, not only because the forest looks different when darkness comes but because Charlie was full of information on botanical subjects (such as the Kauri dieback disease) and Maori legends and culture. After 3 1/2 hours we were back at the hotel. We did not make use of the offered transfer service from and back to our lodge but it would have been included in the fee.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Philip C
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Friends
Billy boy was awesome, his singing to the forest was a spiritual experience. Even though the recent storms caused the tour to be shortened it was worth every penny. We watched the sunset and experience a green flash. I will never forget our tour with Billy boy.
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jessica S
Sydney, Australia10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Family
Our family of 4 from Sydney (children 13 and 17) were looking for an authentic Maori local tour of the Waipoua kauri forest.
Wow! Our guides Merepaea and Amiria made this a truly memorable experience. They shared local knowledge, stories and songs from their Maori lore and connected with each of us.
It felt a privilege to see these magnificent ancient Kauai trees in the twilight peace of the forest when the walking tracks were closed for other tourists.
The whole family rates this tour as our highlight of our holiday. Highly recommend.
Written 28 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

shrink_10
sonoma county20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We loved this tour company. They were great leaders into the Waipoua Forest. we took the twilight tour and felt very lucky and moved to learn about the history and Maori connection to this place. Highly recommend!
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Oinky
Edison137 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
A spiritual and educational experience. Our guide Merepaea shared her culture, her song, her stories and took us on a journey through the forest. You learn to appreciate what Mother Nature has given and share with us and that we must in return take care of her.
Her song at the father tree touched me and made me remember my Lola and how she raised her daughter to be brave. Brave enough to go to a different country and start a family and to eventually have a daughter who was blessed to come on this experience. Sharing experiences like this with real people with real stories is a truly a blessing.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Greg
Brisbane, Australia7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
My wife and I were guided through the Waipoua forest by Merepaea and lived every moment. We did the dusk tour and were driven to the forest by Merepaea in a mini bus. As we walked the easy track, Merepaea explained Maori customs to us and gave us information about the various plants. She also sang a traditional song of respect for the forest and greeting. We were then driven to see the magnificent Lord of the Forest tree Tane Mahuta, thought to be around 2,500 years old.
It was a very respectful and moving experience. Merepaea treated us as friends rather than "customers" and instilled a great feeling of respect for the forest and humility in the presence of Tane Mahuta.
Written 16 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rob
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Couples
It was a stunning experience. Billy Boy was our guide. Simpley outstanding! The singing and the flute playing made it almost mystic! Thanks for this extraordinary memory 🙏🏻👌

Rob vd Veer
Nederland.
Written 13 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Frank Klaassen
Aalsmeer, The Netherlands14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Couples
Merepaea TeTai, our Māori guide, gave us an amazing experience walking through the Kauri forest. If you want to learn something about the Kauri trees, the forest and the Māori culture, she is the one to go to. What an wonderful woman.
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KerryJPayne
Opua, New Zealand69 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Friends
A walk with a guide like Billy Boy brings another dimension to the wonders around you. Stories, sing and soulful music enhance the visit and make it a magical enchanting place to spend an hour or two. We are so lucky to have these amazing kings of the forest here.
Written 19 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pinky D
Sydney, Australia56 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2012 • Couples
I was a bit hesitant to book the Twilight Encounter tour thinking it might be too long and boring, or that I'd get tired walking for 4 hours. Boy was I wrong! I'm happy we did it and am ashamed I even thought twice about it.

The whole experience is 4 hours but it includes a 30 minute drive to the forest, then 3 hours of easy light walking with stops along the way, and then another 30 minutes to drive back to Omapere. There is a decent toilet stop when you arrive in the forest and then another toilet break 1.5 hours after, just before meeting Tane. Everyone is given small torches at the beginning of the walk and a safety briefing on what to do when we encounter wild animals - such as the wild pig or the nocturnal kiwi (We were fortunate to hear the cries of both the male and female kiwis during the tour!). Seriously, there is no threat - NZ has no snakes, no bears, no lions or even naughty monkeys. The only threat to your being is actually falling off the raised boardwalk if you don't look where you're going. You also must dress very warmly!

As some have said, this isn't your run of the mill touristy tour - it is something special. Bill and Matiu, our 2 wonderful Maori guides shared with us their knowledge, respect, connection and love for the forest. They are 2 passionate warm souls and I congratulate Footprints for having them on their team. My husband and I consider it a privilege to be on their tour. Thank you Bill and Matiu, thank you Footprints for sharing with us your forest, home of your beloved ancient trees, plants, and shy wildlife.

If ever you are touring the north, do include this as part of your journey!! Don't even hesitate like I did...you'll miss out if you do.

Notes: We stayed in lovely Mckenzies B&B which is a short 200 meter beach walk to the beautiful Copthorne Hotel. In Copthorne Hotel, we paid for our tour and pre ordered our dinner (a delicious steak, chowder, calamari and pavlova for dessert). When we got back from the tour, we had a lovely dinner at the hotel, then walked back to our B&B.
Written 7 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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FOOTPRINTS WAIPOUA (Waipoua Forest) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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