NATUREANDCO.COM - Visit the Native Beech Forests of New Zealand: What to See and Where to Find them

in this section
Visit the Native Forests:

Kauri forests

Podocarp forests

Beech forests

Coastal forests

Map North Island

Map South Island

in parent section
Nature Sightseeing:

Native forests

Wildlife

Coasts

Islands

Volcanoes

Mountains

Native flora

Selected bibliography

Travel & Adventure>Nature sightseeing>Native forests>

VISIT THE NATIVE BEECH FORESTS

Like kauris and podocarps, the southern beeches (Nothofagus) have a very old ancestry that is traced back to over 100 million years. The four species of beech are better adapted to colder climate and progressively replace podocarp-hardwood species as altitude increases. These forests occupy vast areas of the mountainous axis of both the North and the South Island, either pure, or as mixed beech-podocarp-broadleaf forest. They are usually less luxuriant than podocarp-broadleaf forests, with a fairly open understory, particularly in the South Island.

Learn more about the natural history of Beech Forests.

Beech is the dominant forest cover in the south-eastern part of Mt Aspiring National park. A fine walk through beech forest leads to the Invincible Mine, where good views over the forested slopes of the Rees Valley can be enjoyed. Photo NC.

Specific references for this page:

Neville Peat 1998: The Catlins and the Southern Scenic Route. University of Otago Press.

John Hall-Jones 1997: Discover Fiordland: an Illustrated Guide. Craig Printing.

Mark Pickering 1996: Wild Walks: Sixty Short North Island Walks. Shoal Bay Press.

Mark Pickering 1995: Wild Walks: Sixty Short South Island Walks. Shoal Bay Press.

Robbie Burton and Maggie Atkinson 1998: A Tramper's Guide to New Zealand's National Parks. Reed.

John Cobb 1990: The Walking Tracks of New Zealand's National Parks. Penguin.

C.G.R. Chavasse and J.H. Johns 1983: New Zealand Forest Parks. Government Publications.

REGION from N to S	FOREST	DETAILS
Check the location of these forests in maps: North Island - South Island
Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay	Urewera National Park	This is the largest area of untouched native forest in the North Island. Forest types vary with altitude and location, from lowland podocarp-broadleaf forest in the north and west, to podocarp-beech associations, and to pure beech at highest altitudes. Several short and medium walks.
Taupo-Ruapehu	Tongariro National Park	There are extensive areas of beech forest south of Ruapehu. Also more patchy areas in the west of the park, especially along stream valleys. Several fine walks.
Hawke's Bay Manawatu	Ruahine Forest Park	The Ruahine Ranges are part of the main axial mountain ranges of the North Island. There is podocarp-broadleaf forest on the lower slopes, with occasional large trees that have escaped milling. Beech dominates at higher altitude. A few short and medium walks.
Wellington	Tararua Forest Park	The Tararua Ranges have an extensive forest cover, with beech forest widespread in central and southern areas. Short walks from several road ends.
Nelson	Abel Tasman National Park	All four species of beech are present in this small park, forming the dominant forest cover down to the coastal areas. A choice of fine short and medium walks from the roadends at Totaranui, Maharau and Canaan Road.
Nelson	Kahurangi National Park	Red, mountain and silver beech form the dominant forest cover in the park, their distribution depending on altitude and soil type. A few short and medium walks in the Cobb and Wangapeka valleys.
Nelson	Nelson Lakes National Park	Beech is the dominant forest cover in this park. Forest grows from the lowest areas, on the edges of lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa, up to an altitude of about 1400 m (4594 '). There is a choice of fine walks at Lake Rotoroa, and even more at St Arnaud on the shores of Lake Rotoiti. The Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project is an easy to visit 'mainland island' in beech forest along the shore of Lake Rotoiti, especially interesting for its rich native birdlife.
Canterbury	Hanmer Forest Park	A number of short and medium walks in a variety of forest types, including beech.
Canterbury	Arthur's Pass National Park	East of the main divide the forest cover is predominantly mountain beech, from the valley floors to about 1300 m (4265 '). Several fine short and medium walks near Arthur's Pass township.
Canterbury	Craigieburn Forest Park	Just south of Arthur's Pass National Park, this park is a high and rugged area. Lower slopes and sheltered areas are clothed in mountain beech. A few short and medium walks in mountain beech forest.
Otago Makarora Valley (Haast Pass Highway)	Mt Aspiring National Park	There is a good choice of short and medium walks through silver beech forest along the highway, along with attractive mountain scenery, pure streams and native bird life.
Otago - Queenstown	Mt Aspiring National Park and nearby areas	The headwaters of Lake Wakatipu, around Glenorchy and the lower reaches of the Dart and Rees valleys, is a place of outstanding scenery. There are a few fine short and medium walks through mainly silver beech forest. Also a few short walks close to Queenstown and on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with limited amounts of beech forest.
Southland	Fiordland National Park	The forest cover of Fiordland National Park is predominantly beech, although podocarp forest is well developed in coastal areas from Martin's Bay northwards, and in the southern Waitutu Forests. There is a choice of fine short and medium walks through beech forest in the Hollyford and Cleddau valleys. Outstanding scenery and other natural features (waterfalls...) make these walks especially worthwhile.
Southland	Catlins Forest Park	The park protects a large area of diverse native forest, some of it intact. Large tracts of pure silver beech forest inland. A few fine walks in beech and mixed beech-podocarp forest, especially along the Catlins River.