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Best forest destinations in Oceania

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Tasmania
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts
8.7
A forest walk here can last an hour or most of a week. The Overland Track in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park takes about six days. More than a fifth of this island is a UNESCO World Heritage area. The area includes tall eucalyptus forest that is protected from logging.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Tour the convict ruins at Port Arthur Historic Site
  • ⛰️ Explore Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park trails
  • 🏖️ Hike to Wineglass Bay and marvel at its white sand
Fiordland National Park
New Zealand’s Wildest Water World
8.7
Rain patters on forests of silver beech and mountain beech. Moist westerly winds bring over seven metres of rain to some areas. This is the largest national park in New Zealand and covers more than 12,000 square kilometres. Both ends of the Milford Track can only be reached by boat.
Highlights:
  • 🪶 Scenic fly over dramatic fjords and hidden alpine lakes
  • 🥾 Hike the world-famous Milford Track through lush rainforest
  • 🛥️ Cruise through majestic Milford Sound and spot playful dolphins
Blue Mountains National Park
Majestic Views and Untamed Nature
7.7
Echo Point looks over the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters rock formation. Eucalyptus forest covers much of this park. The park joined a UNESCO World Heritage area in 2000. Cliffs near Blackheath are several hundred metres tall, so the forest below feels deep and far away.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike the Wentworth Falls track for breathtaking views
  • 🚞 Ride the Scenic Railway through the stunning Jamison Valley
  • ⛰️ Admire the iconic Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point
North Island
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
8.6
In Northland on the west coast of this island, Waipoua Forest has the largest remaining stand of kauri. Te Matua Ngahere is the largest kauri in New Zealand by girth. It is estimated to be 2,000 to 3,000 years old. Tāne Mahuta, one of the two largest living kauri, is also in the forest.
Highlights:
  • 🌃 Walk along Auckland’s Sky Tower observation deck
  • 🧙‍♂️ Visit Hobbiton and stroll through the Shire movie set
  • 🔥 Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua’s hot springs and geysers
Daintree Rainforest
Lush canopy whispers ancient rainforest secrets
This rainforest is about 180 million years old and is one of the oldest in the world. The river was named for Richard Daintree, a geologist and photographer. Much of the forest is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage area. The southern cassowary is one of the rare birds that lives here.
Highlights:
  • 🌲 Visit Cape Tribulation, hike to ancient rainforest trails
  • 🚤 Sail a glass-bottom boat over crystal reefs
  • 🌿 Trek through Daintree canopy walk, spot cassowaries
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