We now have a new product, Alfresco Dining under the Stars. We offer a Guided Forest walk, come out of the forest on Dusk, enter a clearing in the Forest set up with an Ambience of soft lighting. A Chef will Tantalise you with a designer meal of your choice or even suprise you. After your main meal is finished we walk into the open to gaze at the Stars. One of our Guides Specializes in the night sky will give you a commentary on the Stars. Sweets are served while you are entertained by a local Maori Kapa Haka group.

Clearing in the Forest

Maori Kapa Haka Group

Chef preparing Food

Dining under the stars

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.