NZ Travel – Narnia Film Locations, New Zealand
Adventures in the White Witch’s Camp, Woodhill Forest Auckland NZ
Nov 3, 2009
Andrew Adamson returned to New Zealand to film the stories he’d loved in childhood. In his native land Adamson found the deep, dark forests, rolling hills and dramatic mountainscapes that breathed life into the Lion, the Witch and Wardrobe, the first book in C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.
The White Witch’s Camp, Woodhill Forest, North Auckland
The densely planted trees of Woodhill Forest made a sinister backdrop for the camp of Jadis, the dreaded White Witch of Narnia. Covering some 12,400 hectares Woodhill lies about an hour north-west of Auckland.
Public access roads are open daily during daylight hours. High vantage points give expansive views of treetops, blue-green in the distance, like corrugated cloth spread over the hills. Every now and then a wedge of turquoise sea can be glimpsed through tangled branches. The forest floor is deeply shaded. Fires are hazardous in New Zealand forests and the forest may be closed during high risk periods. Woodhill is a working forest. Access may be restricted in various areas due to forestry operations or scheduled events so it is important to comply with signs.
Woodhill Forest History – Pines Planted to Rescue Destabilised Coastal Land
Woodhill Forest was planted during the Great Depression in an effort to restore land that had been de-stabilised by the increasing encroachment of humans. As far back as the 1870s sheep and cattle grazing had begun to impact on extensive tracts of coastal land. Other introduced species such as rabbits and goats demolished natural shelter belts. Strong westerly winds blowing in from the Tasman sea smothered inland areas with layers of fine sand.
In 1932 committed re-stabilisation exercises were implemented to reclaim what had become barren wastes of sand dunes. Camps housing 20-40 men were set up on the dunes. Marram and other grasses were established first, lupins followed to nourish the sandy soil and then tree planting began in earnest. Pine trees and macrocarpa thrived in the sandy soil.
Woodhill Forest Activities – Walking, Horse Riding, Biking and Tree Adventures
Woodhill Forest has zoned areas for walking, horse riding, mountain biking, ATV biking, and tree climbing adventure activities as well as orienteering, running and dog walking. Horse riders must be registered with Woodhill Forest Equestrian Park before taking advantage of zoned riding trails and equestrian activities in the park. At time of writing registration costs $70 per year. Enquiries: wfep@ihug.co.nz.
With a network of more than 50 trails, 150km of single track and 200 structures, Woodhill Mountain Bike Park is a mecca for mountain bike enthusiasts. As well as providing rental bikes for single riders, groups of all abilities are catered for. Experienced guides are able to personalise rides or people are free to explore the well-sign-posted park on their own. A thorough safety briefing is offered before riders embark. Park hours: 7:00am–6:00pm (8:00pm during daylight saving). Hire hours: 8:00am–5:00pm Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, Wednesday 4:00pm–10:00pm. Woodhill Mountain Bike Park: Restall Rd, Woodhill, Auckland, New Zealand, PO Box 84328, Westgate, Auckland; 027-278-0949 (cell); info@bikeparks.co.nz.
For a truly different kind of group adventure, try Tree Adventures, a series of climbing activities in the treetops of Woodhill. Tree Adventures offer nine different courses from three metres to 14 metres above ground level with a swift flying fox ride back to earth. Timid adventurers and hard-core adrenaline junkies are all catered for. Open seven days weekly 9:30am-5:30pm (last entry 3:00pm). Bookings are essential. A minimum of five people is required for weekday bookings. Weekends, school holidays and public holidays, less than five are permitted. Contact: contact@treeadventures.co.nz
A 30-minute diversion to visit the black sands of Muriwai Beach is worth the effort. The waves make for fine surfing and the rugged cliffs of Muriwai are home to one of three gannet colonies on New Zealand’s mainland.
To get to the general area of Woodhill Forest, take Highway 16 out of Auckland and turn off at Rimmer Rd not far from Helensville. Other activities in the area include golf, thermal bathing, swimming, surfing, and fresh and salt water fishing. In the vicinity are are also heritage walks, food and wine trails, art galleries and museums.
If the temperature plunges, if a chill crawls up the spine, or the sound of a cracking whip snaps against the ear, take care – Jadis, the icy White Witch of Narnia may have returned to the deep dark woods.
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