Redwoods at Night: One of the Most Unexpectedly Magical Things We Did in New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you’re planning your New Zealand trip - epic landscapes, geothermal stuff, maybe some adventure activities, definitely a little Hobbiton moment. Your itinerary is already packed.
And then there’s this one thing you probably weren’t planning on: walking through a forest of glowing redwoods… at night.
We ended up driving to Rotorua one evening to do the Redwoods Nightlights Treewalk, and I’ll be honest - it felt a little funny at first. Like… we flew all the way from California to see California redwoods?
But wow, this ended up being so fun.
The trees are actually the same species as the ones back home, but they’re only about 100 years old and already huge. The climate in New Zealand helps them grow faster and more evenly, which is really cool to see in person.
And if you’re thinking, “why would I go see redwoods in New Zealand?” - I get it. I thought the same thing. But this isn’t just about the trees. It’s the whole experience.
California redwoods… but make it New Zealand
The backstory is kind of interesting too.
These redwoods were planted in the early 1900s when New Zealand was experimenting with different tree species. A lot of them didn’t work out… but the redwoods absolutely thrived.
And now? They’re massive. Like, seriously tall. It’s kind of wild seeing something so familiar, but in a completely different part of the world - and growing even faster than it does back home.
Walking through the trees at night (this is the cool part)
At night, everything changes.
You’re up in the canopy - about 30 to 60 feet in the air - walking across suspension bridges from tree to tree. And the whole thing is lit up with these beautiful lanterns that make the forest glow.
It’s quiet, it’s a little surreal, and honestly… kind of magical.
The lighting is soft and warm, and even though there are people around, it doesn’t feel crowded once you’re up there. It’s one of those experiences where you just slow down without even trying.
A few quick tips if you go
Book ahead - it gets busy, especially at night
If you can, get the fast pass (we skipped a long line and it was 100% worth it)
Wear comfy shoes - you’ll be walking the whole time
Bring a layer - it cools down up in the trees
Give yourself time to actually enjoy it (don’t rush through)
If you’re already in Rotorua…
Rotorua has a lot going on, so it’s easy to make a full day out of it. Think geothermal areas, Māori cultural experiences, and some pretty fun adventure activities.
But honestly, this ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our time there, and it wasn’t even on my radar at first.
Final thoughts
Seeing California redwoods on the other side of the world was already kind of surreal, but walking through them at night, all lit up like that, made it feel completely different.
It’s simple, it’s beautiful, and it’s one of those experiences that just sticks with you.
Definitely add this to your list.
Have you ever had one of those “this wasn’t even on my list” experiences that ended up being a favorite?
