Big Tree Walk – Te Wanahu – Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve

This walk and these trees are in the section of Peel Forest Park called Mills Bush. Some of the trees are estimated to be nearly 1000 years old. 

The largest tree on this walk is a lowland tōtara and it is almost 3 metres across! With trees of this size, it is no wonder that you will see their roots breaking out of the ground.

This is a short walk but it is enough to show you what Mills Bush has to offer. Fern Walk is a longer walk that also allows you to experience these massive trees. 

The fantails in this area are also reported to be extremely friendly, so they might come close. The sheer size of the trees combined with the incessant birdsong truly gives this forest a primitive feeling.

Alongside the track, you may still be able to see remnants of a bush tramway route. The tramway stands out better from the top of the embankment, where wooden edges indicate the width of the tramway.