Photo: Kauri New Zealand

Tall rainforest Kauri trees and vegetation flourish along the path in the Waipoua Forest on the North Island of New Zealand.

The boardwalk through the Waipoua Forest amongst the Kauri trees is not the same as the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz but it does take you to some incredible places. The Kauri trees tower above as you journey along this easy hike to view some of the largest Kauri trees which are native to New Zealand.These trees need plenty of rain to flourish and in this rainforest of natural beauty, they receive plenty to grow to the size that they do. Four separate groups make up the Waipoua Forest on the North Island of New Zealand, one being the Tane Mahuta, others being the Te Matua and the Four Sisters, and the last one known as the Yakas Kauri.Throughout the Waipoua Forest, there are 22,762 acres of Kauri trees that are untouched by humans as well as other plant life that thrives in the rainforest. A few of the Kauri trees are estimated to be between 2,000 and 2,500 years old and the wildlife that resides in this rainforest can be heard calling out from amongst this unique forest. ... continue below the picture...

... The land of the Kauri trees or the Waipoua Forest is a unique area to New Zealand and is well worth the trip while visiting on the North Island. Stay on the paths while wandering through the Waipoua Forest as disobeying the signs can cause serious damage to the Kauri Trees and easily damage roots and plant life that make up this natural wonder. Path in Waipoua Forest, Northland, North Island, New Zealand