Called a "life changing eco experience" by Lonely Planet, Footprints Waipoua offers a look at the spiritual connection between the forest and the Maori, who have worshipped the forest for its beauty, spiritual presence, and bountiful supply of food, medicines, and weaving and building materials. From the pier, you'll travel a scenic route to the west coast. Here, Maori guides will lead you through the Waipoua Forest, the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland and a haven for rare birds such as the endangered North Island kokako and the North Island brown kiwi. Walk in the shadow of giant kauri trees as you hear Maori stories and songs before greeting the oldest and largest known kauri trees in the world-the 2,000-year-old Tane Mahuta, which stands 18-meters-tall (59 feet), and the 29-meter-tall (95 feet) Te Matua Ngahere, estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000 years old.