Grade
HillyDistance
Various
Travel the world through trees at Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Ngatapa. Link to Eastwoodhill Arboretum website
Walks cater for all levels of fitness and ability, from flat tree-lined paths to a steep climb up Mt Arateitei offering glorious, clear-day views of the arboretum and surrounding countryside. Spring and autumn are particularly colourful seasons, but the arboretum is beautiful to visit at any time. Many fun events are held there during the year.
Many lovely walks meander through the arboretum each with different special features, and information about each one can be found on the website. The trails are currently for walking only but a cycling/mountain biking trail in the north-east of the arboretum, using part of the green track, is expected to be complete for the 2024-25 summer.
Visitors can support Eastwoodhill Arboretum by making a donation, purchasing items from their shop, or their cafe, or joining Friends of Eastwoodhill.
Eastwoodhill has a comprehensive trail map available as a PDF download.
History of the trail
Eastwoodhill Arboretum is an arboreal ark, a safe haven for threatened and endangered trees. Its mission is centred on conservation education and research. The arboretum was the life’s work of its creator William Douglas Cook, who came to the Gisborne district in 1910 to take up 250 hectares of farmland from the Ngatapa subdivision.
In 1965, two years before Cook died, H B (Bill) Williams bought the property and in 1970 Eastwoodhill was set up as a trust and a private members bill put to Parliament. The Eastwoodhill Trust Act was passed in 1975, and the Eastwoodhill Trust Board was formed.
From Dave Hawea, Te Whanau a Kai chairman: Eastwoodhill Arboretum stands on part of the Okahuatiu block. These were the lands of Ngati Hine, one of several hapu that make up Te Whanau a Kai iwi. Te Whanau a Kai are of the Patutahi and Waituhi areas and inland recesses bordering on Matawai and Lake Waikaremoana.
An old footpath was used by our ancestors to connect Patutahi pa in the east to Ngatapa pa and beyond. This path runs through Eastwoodhill following the high ridge at the back of the arboretum. Its common name today is Arateitei.
Tips & Logistics
Eastwoodhill Arboretum is located at 2392 Wharekopae Rd, Ngatapa.
An entry fee is charged -- Adults $15; Over 65s, $12; Under 14s, $2; Under 2s, free; Family (2 adults & 4 children under 16), $28; Student, $12 (high school/tertiary ID required).
Dogs and pets are not allowed in the arboretum.