Tongariro National Park 
Tongariro National Park, established in 1887 and a UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1991, lies in the heart of the North Island, just to the south of Lake Taupo. It is about 350km south of Auckland and about the same distance north of Wellington.
Tongariro National Park headquarters and visitor center at Whakapapa provides general information, maps and descriptions of the various paths and trails.
Tongariro National Park headquarters and visitor center at Whakapapa provides general information, maps and descriptions of the various paths and trails.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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The national park is open throughout the year. The skiing season on Mount Ruapehu usually lasts from June to October.
Since the weather in the national park is very changeable, warm clothing and protection against rain should be taken on a walk of any length. Stout footwear is necessary, particularly above the snowline. Good maps are essential, since the routes are not always waymarked. You should take sufficient food with you; water from streams in the park should be boiled because of the danger of parasites.
The central features of the national park are the three volcanoes of Tongariro (1968m), Ngauruhoe (2291m) and Ruapehu (2797m). They are part of a chain of volcanoes that extends north by way of the volcanic White Island to the Kermadec and Tonga islands. These volcanoes, relatively young in geological terms, have repeatedly erupted in recent centuries, as attested by Maori legends and observations made since the European settlement, but have rarely caused catastrophic damage. The most serious recent incident was at Christmas in 1953, when the crater lake on Mount Ruapehu overflowed and a great volume of water and mud poured down, destroying the railroad bridge at Tangiwai, derailing the Wellington-Auckland express and killing 151 people. The last time the snow-capped Ruapehu showed any volcanic activity was in September 1995, when it spewed out huge mass of rock and lava and great rivers of mud flowed down its slopes.
Mount Tongariro, the most northerly of the three volcanoes, is also the lowest. Its summit is broken down into a number of craters. On the slopes of the hill, at Ketetahi, there is an active geothermal field, with hot springs, fumaroles and seething mud pools.
Mount Ngauruhoe is still active and there are frequently plumes of smoke and steam over its summit. A series of minor eruptions since 1954 have changed the form of the mountain, particularly on the west side.
Since the weather in the national park is very changeable, warm clothing and protection against rain should be taken on a walk of any length. Stout footwear is necessary, particularly above the snowline. Good maps are essential, since the routes are not always waymarked. You should take sufficient food with you; water from streams in the park should be boiled because of the danger of parasites.
The central features of the national park are the three volcanoes of Tongariro (1968m), Ngauruhoe (2291m) and Ruapehu (2797m). They are part of a chain of volcanoes that extends north by way of the volcanic White Island to the Kermadec and Tonga islands. These volcanoes, relatively young in geological terms, have repeatedly erupted in recent centuries, as attested by Maori legends and observations made since the European settlement, but have rarely caused catastrophic damage. The most serious recent incident was at Christmas in 1953, when the crater lake on Mount Ruapehu overflowed and a great volume of water and mud poured down, destroying the railroad bridge at Tangiwai, derailing the Wellington-Auckland express and killing 151 people. The last time the snow-capped Ruapehu showed any volcanic activity was in September 1995, when it spewed out huge mass of rock and lava and great rivers of mud flowed down its slopes.
Mount Tongariro, the most northerly of the three volcanoes, is also the lowest. Its summit is broken down into a number of craters. On the slopes of the hill, at Ketetahi, there is an active geothermal field, with hot springs, fumaroles and seething mud pools.
Mount Ngauruhoe is still active and there are frequently plumes of smoke and steam over its summit. A series of minor eruptions since 1954 have changed the form of the mountain, particularly on the west side.
Related Attractions
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Raurimu Spiral
The Raurimu Spiral is a remarkable feat of railroad engineering that achieves a sharp descent of 200m in one complete circle, three horseshoe curves and two tunnels.
Makatote Viaduct
The Makatote Viaduct crosses a valley between Pokaka and Erua. Constructed in 1908, it was last viaduct on the main line between Auckland and Wellington. Highway 4 runs under the viaduct.
Ohakune
The little town of Ohakune (pop. 1500) lies on the southwestern edge of Tongariro National Park (Highway 49). The clearance of forest in this area made it possible to grow vegetables, and rich yields are obtained on the volcanic soil. The coming of the railroad promoted the development of the town, which is now a popular all-year holiday resort, a good base from which to visit the national park and Mount Ruapehu.
Ohakune - Railway Bridge
20km north of Ohakune an imposing railroad bridge 79m high (1907) spans a valley, crossing Highway 4.
Poutu Redoubt
To the west of Rangipo, on Lake Rotoaira, is the Poutu Redoubt, the base for the British attack on Te Kooti's stronghold of Te Porere Pa.
Raetihi, New Zealand
(Near Turangi)
11km west of Ohakune is Raetihi (pop. 1,300), on Highway 4, which once marked the boundary between the Wanganui region and the King Country. In 1918 a devastating forest fire in this area destroyed nine sawmills and 150 houses. The local timber industry took a long time to recover from this severe setback. Prominent features of the town are the twin towers of a church belonging to the Ratana sect.
Whanganui River Road
The Whanganui River Road, completed in 1934, follows the river upstream from Wanganui to Pipiriki, with many bends. There are also some roads in the Taumarunui area.
(Tongariro National Park)
For a rewarding trip from Raetihi, take the Whanganui River Road, which runs west from Raetihi to Pipiriki and then follows a winding and fairly strenuous route through the wild and romantic valley of the Whanganui River.The Whanganui River Road, completed in 1934, follows the river upstream from Wanganui to Pipiriki, with many bends. There are also some roads in the Taumarunui area.
Round Whakapapa
The best-known trails taking off from the visitor center in Whakapapa village are the Alpine Garden Track (1.5km), the Taranaki Falls Track (6.5km circuit), the Whakapapanui Track (3km), the Silica Rapids Track (7km) and the Waihohonu Track (an all-day walk from Highway 1 to Château Tongariro or vice versa).
Round the Mountains Track
This walk (4/5 days), starting from the end of the Ohakune Mountain Road in the south, goes via Whakapapa, circling Ngauruhoe and Tongariro to join the Desert Road.
Te Porere Pa
The road to this fortified Maori village on the western edge of the national park is signposted on Highway 47 (Turangi). Here in 1869 Te Kooti was defeated in the last great battle of the land wars. The defenses have been partly demolished.
Tongariro Crossing
This walk across the country round Mount Tongariro takes a whole day (about 9 hours actual walking).
Tongariro National Park Walks
The national park provides the finest walking country on the North Island. It offers scope both for short walks and for more strenuous hikes taking several days.
Turoa - Mt Ruapehu
The Turoa skiing area, on the southwestern slopes of Mount Ruapehu can be reached from Ohakune on the Ohakune Mountain Road.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd
Private Bag
Mount Ruapehu, Manawatu-Wanganui
New Zealand
Private Bag
Mount Ruapehu, Manawatu-Wanganui
New Zealand
Whakapapa
The holiday village of Whakapapa offers a range of accommodations and the national park's visitor center.
