Rotorua's Essential 50: Day 23 - Redwoods a great retreat

EXERCISE: Jo McKenzie loves walking among the Redwoods. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 201213BF2

Want to escape the harsh realities of the real world without paying a cent? Take a walk in the Whakarewarewa Forest. There are three very different parts to the forest area that is a regular for many of Rotorua's locals and a magnet for visitors.

The forest's walking tracks were nominated as an essential by readers who enjoy escaping the bustle of town.

The Scion nursery archive is an area used predominantly by dogs exercised off-leash.

Busloads of tourists are drawn to the Redwoods section, on the opposite side of Long Mile Rd, while runners and walkers in training for the Rotorua Marathon venture further into the Whakarewarewa Forest following fire roads and specifically built walking tracks.

Take the Pohaturoa Track (known as the Yellow Track) and you can climb up to a viewing platform above the Whakarewarewa Village.

There are marked tracks from 2km to 36km though how far you walk is completely up to you.

One person who makes sure she can get a fresh air fix is Jo McKenzie, who has worked at nearby Scion for 31 years. She walks in the forest three times a week.

"It's just so tranquil and there's so much variety - you couldn't get better than this," she said.

"Even when it's raining you can still come through because you're not getting that downpour. I'm amazed how many local people don't know [the forest] is here.

"I like to come out at lunchtime, it's good to have that out - you go and chill out, it's a big release."

The Rotorua Daily Post Essential 50 lists the city's must-see, must-do and must-try activities and experiences thanks to reader nominations. We'll be highlighting one every day over summer.