New tourist attraction for Redwood Forest

A sleeping pod similar to the pods to be built in trees in Rotorua's Redwood Forest. Images/Supplied.

A new tourist attraction in Rotorua's Redwood Forest will include a canopy walk, bush walk and sleeping pods for overnight stays.

Rotorua District Council Tokorangi Forest manager Julianne Wilkinson said the council granted a licence to German couple Alexander Schmid and his wife Andrea to operate the new attraction to be known as Redwoods Outdoor Adventure Activities.

Mrs Wilkinson said Redwoods Outdoor Adventure Activities was applying for resource consent and hoped to get construction of their treewalk feature under way in February, with completion by May or June next year.

The canopy walk and sleeping pod components of the new operation are to be developed at a later date.

Mrs Wilkinson said the council licensed the operation last year after a number of adventure activities in the Tokorangi Forest were considered.

The council would be working closely with the operator to ensure disruption to forest users was minimised.

She said the couple had owned and operated a similar tree park adventure operation in Germany for seven years.

An artist's impression of a small part of the proposed canopy walk to be built in the Redwood Forest.

"We're committed to protecting The Redwoods' unique characteristics while ensuring free public access remains available to our community and visitors.

"Alex and Andrea have a genuine connection to the forest and an appreciation of its natural and spiritual aspects.

"That respect and their conservation ethic were important factors in the proposal being approved by Maori landowners and the Department of Conservation as managers of the Redwoods conservation covenant," she said.

Mr Schmid said he was looking for local investment partners to join him and wanted to offer employment to locals with outdoor adventure qualifications.

"Our operation is guided by a deep seated care for the surroundings in which we live and work. We look forward to creating a truly magical experience that will give our guests a new appreciation for the special wonders of The Redwoods.

"Our tree and canopy walks will heighten visitors' experience of the essence of The Redwoods - the peace, the silence and the majesty of the trees.

"At the same time the tree and canopy walks will respect and blend in with the natural environment rather than compete with or detract from it," he said.

The location of the new venture is between Rifle Range Rd and the main Redwoods car park.

Because the activity is carried out at height it was not expected to affect any existing walkways, other than some short diversions during the construction phase.

However, it is not known at this stage how much it would cost members of the public for the experience as prices for the activities have yet to be finalised.

The treewalk will be the lower priced of the three activities, while sleeping pods will be more costly.