Bill and Beate from Atlanta Georgia USA  are following in the footsteps of a very famous sailor ,navigator, surveyor and man of science  Robert Fitzroy, captained HMS Beagle on three voyages around the world.In 1831 he sailed for the south via South America, on this voyage Charles Darwin the famous Naturalist accompanied him.

Darwin visited the Bay of Islands,travelling by foot up two of the main rivers taking notes of Flora and Fauna and the people who lived here .

Fitzroy later became the Governor of NZ from 1843-1846. Bill and Beate enjoyed the forest walk, especially the flora and fauna, the size of the Kauri trees and the conservation work being done in the forest.

Tom & Margaret walked the Waipapa River track, this track follows the river through the middle of the Puketi Forest. It is a two day walk, with a camping area four hours walk down the river.

The second day of the walk is eight hours, mostly walking in the water. The water is very warm this time of the year, it is best walked in the summer.

Puketi forest has a very high rainfall in the winter which makes the walk hazardous.Flora and Fauna is at its best in the summer, making the walk picturesque.

Adventure Puketi recently hosted walkers from the cruise ship The Amsterdam. Our walking guests were from North America and Europe, the age varied from Fifty to our oldest walker ever Ninety One. After recent rain the smell of the fresh clean forest was over powering, with musty odours to sweet fragrance of the many flowering native trees. The Tui, Grey warbler, King fisher, Tomtits were heard throughout the walk. From small ferns to the Mighty Giant Kauri tree the walkers were in awe with the sizes and the abundant Spring growth. An awesome day for all.

We had the pleasure of a visit to the Puketi Forest of famous conservationist Sir David Bellamy. David wanted to come and see the forest, he was instrumental in the conservation effort to save the Pureroa Forest, 25 years ago, which he had dubbed the “Dinosaur Forest.”

We took David on the board walk through the Kauri Forest, talking about the age of the Kauri trees and how the have survived through the many changes in history.

He was really interested in the smaller, rarer type plants in the forest and we talked about insects including our local Cave Wetas.

Here is a picture of David and his wife with Barbara and I on the board walk.

A tour viewing Kauri Snail beside the track, just some of the nocturnal creatures that life in the Puketi subtropical Rainforest at Night.

Welcome to the new blog for Adventure Puketi. We will be posting news from the Puketi Forest as well as videos and other interesting things.

Leave us a comment, if you have been on one of our walks.

We look forward to catching up with you.

Ian and Barbara