Jennifer S.
Yelp
We completely missed this last time we were in Rotorua, but it was pretty high priority on this trip.
I had my not-quite-two-year-old with me on this trip. I was really not too sure if he'd be able to handle it, because the entrance rules state that anyone who goes up must walk the entire way, they cannot be carried (risk of falling, obv). He probably could have made it about a third of the way around, but the swinging suspension bridge may have been too great a challenge for our little walker, and I'm sure he'd have wanted to be picked up at some point - but he fell asleep in the car on the way, so Mr. Jennifer S. stayed back and took a nap, too, while I did the treewalk on my own. Most of the suspended portions were narrow, so it would have been awkward trying to lead him around. I wanted to ask whether he would have been allowed in a baby carrier, but the staff were fielding questions from others, so I didn't hang around to inquire.
Purchase your ticket at the i-site desk, then present it to the staff at the base of the Treewalk stairs. Normally $25 (kind of steep, but you can take as long as you like), but was $20 the day I went.
It's a long loop, on suspension bridges suspended from tree to tree with platforms hugging the tree trunks. A pair of visitors ahead of me and I were interested in the construction and engineering of the whole thing. You can go any pace you like - there are certain numbers allowed on the bridge portions at any time, and they discourage going other than anti-clockwise. I didn't time myself, but I think you could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. I went at a leisurely pace and took a lot of photos. Platforms around the tree trunks offer places to rest - some with benches, some with plaques to read. I'd have preferred more stuff to read, really, but I did learn a little about the redwoods and pines and forestry of the North Island. There are some long and some short suspension sections. All portions are enclosed up to about bicep level for most adults, and even though it swings a little, it all felt very safe and secure. It's not exactly a "canopy" walk - there's still a lot of tree above your head - but it was a really neat way to explore the forest from a different perspective than a typical hiking trail. I would totally do it again, especially once my son gets older.
There are free trails accessible from the parking area and you can explore the adjacent redwood forest. Clean bathrooms that look like art installations. Trailer with coffee and snacks.