Best woodland in New Zealand?

Question

I've been before but not since I was a child, now I'm saving to go independently.

I really enjoy woodland and would like to spend time walking etc. in natural woodland.

Any suggestions?

North or South Island?

Also could you state if this is a rainforest area (tree ferns, kauri etc.) or woodland I may be more familiar with elsewhere e.g. Hagley Park reminds me of English woods. I prefer woodland but I'm obviously not going to fly so far without checking out the rainforest and sub-tropical areas.

Thanks

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Rainforest in NZ is not tropical rainforest. The Nothofagus (beech) wilderness of the Westland/Fiordland area comes close and as a forest with a heavy rainfall is well worth seeing. The tourist will usually see it only from the coach going to Milford, Haast or Doubtful Sound.
Beech forest in the Kaimanawas in the North Island is likewise worth seeing.
The forest of Egmont contain no beech trees, but is comprised of Dacrydium, Metrosideros and Weinmania (rimu/rata/kamahi. On the western side of the mountain is an area of unique blue rata, that is a must to see.
The central volcanic plateau up to the southern end of the Kaimai/Mamaku State Forest park is a recent forest, having been wiped out by the Lake Taupo eruption of 2 000 years ago, and is still regenerating. Likewise the forest on the slopes of Tarawera after the eruption of 1886. So far only scrub and shrubs grow here, trees have yet to re-introduce themselves. However the nearby Okataina Forest was not destroyed then and is a good example of mature native bush.
There are many walks into the forests of the Catlins that are worth trekking to see a good example of east coast bush.
Kauri trees (Agathis) grow naturally only from Tauranga northwards. The northern end of the Kaimai/Mamaku State Forest Park has good specimens within, as do the forests of Coromandel.
The Waitakere ranges, west of Auckland are thick with kauri rickers, all the mature trees having been milled 150 years ago.
The Waipoua State Forest Park in Northland is the place to go to see mature kauri trees - in fact, you can see kauri of all ages.
Forest in NZ that is not modified by man in any way is referred to as Bush. Do not enter it unless you follow the tracks and instructions on the sign boards. Tourists have a propensity to take our bush lightly, and find, once they are in the bush, that bush tramping is a serious business, sometimes at great expense to them.

Answer 2

there really aren't any rain forest like areas in NZ. The Waikato in the North Island is exceptional gorgeous full of nice woodlands for some good hiking. If you want some seriously hiking/backpacking or even major adventure woodlands, go to the South Island in and near the bases of the Alps. try looking on google earth or another terrain map to get a really good estimate about the vegetation and topography.

Answer 3

North Island