Tongariro National Park

About this place

Tongariro National Park is New Zealand's oldest national park and the sixth established in the world, in the centre of the North Island. UNESCO lists it as a World Heritage Site for both natural and cultural values, and at its heart stand three active volcanoes: Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. It was established in October 1887, growing from a 26.4 square kilometre area given by the Māori chief Te Heuheu, with more land acquired later. The park holds Māori religious sites, and many of its summits, including Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, are tapu, or sacred, so visitors are asked to respect them. The landscape runs from temperate rainforest and beech forest to tussock shrubland and alpine zones, up to bare volcanic rock near the peaks. Its best known route is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, widely regarded as one of the world's best one-day hikes, at about 19 km. Three ski fields operate on the slopes of Ruapehu. It is 130 km in a straight line from Rotorua, with small towns around it including Tūrangi and Ohakune. The weather changes fast even in summer, so bring warm and waterproof clothes, water and food, and check mountain conditions before the long route. Shorter tracks suit anyone not wanting a long hike. These mountains are volcanically active, so follow all warnings on site.