Tongariro National Park
Nearby
Taranaki Taupo Hamilton WellingtonTongariro National Park: Understand
The Tongariro National Park is home to volacanoes Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu.
Mount Ruapehu stands at 2,800 meters (8500 feet) and is the tallest and most imposing volcano (it’s still active today!).
Below we dive into the best things to do in the National Park, which include:
- Tongariro Crossing (1-day)
- Tongariro Northern Circuit (2-4 days)
- Ski Mt Ruapehu
- Bike Old Coach Road
- Hike to the Tama Lakes (1-day)
- Taranaki Falls
The Tongariro Crossing
The Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand’s best day treks, and some have considered it to be among the top ten one-day treks in the world! Highlights include red craters, bright green & blue lakes, mountains, volcanoes, steam vents and lots of views!
To check the current volcanic activity at Tongariro, take a look here.
What to Pack
Expect all the elements when you do the Tongariro Crossing! A few essential packing items include:
- Warm gear (hat, gloves, something for your neck, warm jacket, and pants that are warm enough)
- Wind breaker
- Good, sturdy shoes
- Rain jacket (hopefully you can take just a wind breaker and a rain jacket in one!)
- Sun block
- Sun glasses
- Camera
- Lunch (and snacks)
- Water!
Getting to the Tongariro Crossing
Because it is a point to point track (ie. you start and finish in different places), logistics can be tricky.
The car parks get extremely busy and the one at Mangatepopo Road now has a 4-hour parking restriction. This is to allow people doing a shorter (out and back) walk to park here.
If you’re doing the entire crossing, it’s best to get a bus or shuttles from Whakapapa or National Park Village to the start of the track, and at the end they’ll return you back to the village. The drivers are also really experienced, so they will tell if conditions are unsafe on the crossing. For a list of licensed transport operators (approved by DOC) take a look here. The transport providers also offer free parking at their depot, and they’re available as a back-up should something go wrong during the day.
The Walk Itself
The Tongariro Crossing is 19.4km, 765 meters elevation, and the recommended track time is between 6-8 hours. There are some steep sections, so you’ll be glad you wore good shoes!
It’s a point-to-point track (ie. start and finish in different places), and you can go in either direction. We recommend going from Mangatepopo to Ketetahi (it means 200m less climbing).
Extra for Experts
There are a couple of extensions from the Tongariro Crossing – you can summit Ngauruhoe or Tongariro. For both of these, you’ll see signs from the main Tongariro Crossing trail.
There is also the option to turn this into a multi-day trip by doing the Tongariro Circuit (2-4 days, 45km) – see below.
Where to Stay & Food
Check out the “Sleep” and “Eat” sections below to work out where to stay and organising food.
Our top tips for the Tongariro Crossing:
- Try start walking early in the morning so you avoid the busloads of people
- If possible, try to avoid weekends for fewer people
Tongariro Northern Circuit
If you’re looking to spend longer in the area, and you’re up for a 2-4 day hike we would highly recommend the Tongariro Northern Circuit. The tracks winds it’s way past Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe and features glacial valleys, native beech forest, and those emerald-coloured lakes!
When to do the Tongariro Northern Circuit
Due to avalanche risk, there are seasonal restrictions to be aware of if you’re planning to do the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
In the Great Walks season, 19 October 2018 – 30 April 2019 bookings are required for huts and campsites. At this time, the huts have gas cooking stoves and resident wardens.
Outside of this season, 1 May 2019 – October 2019, there are much fewer facilities and avalanche risk does exist. If you are looking to hike during this time, you must have experience. Over this time there are also no bookings required for huts and campsites, and it works on a first come, first served basis.
Getting to the Tongariro Northern Circuit
The track starts and finishes in Whakapapa Village, 100 meters below the visitor center at Ngauruhoe Place. The track is along the lower Taranaki Falls track, and after approximately 20 minutes the Tongariro Northern Circuit branches off from the Taranaki Falls track, heading towards your first hut, Mangatepopo.
If you are heading out to do the circuit, visit the Tongariro Park Visitor Centre to get a free parking permit, and they’ll tell you where the overnight parking areas are in the village.
The Walk Itself
The 2-4 day Tongariro Northern Circuit is 43.1kms.
It is a circuit (wohoo!) and can be completed in either direction.
If you do it in 2 days, you would stay in Oturere Hut for your 1 night.
If you do it in 3 days, it is recommended you stay in Mangatetopo Hut your first night, then Oturere Hut the second. This makes your third day quite long, but the trail is fairly easy here so certainly achievable.
On day two (or day one if you are doing the 2-day version) between Mangatetopo Hut and Oturere Hut you will join the Tongariro Alpine Crossing! You will go past the Emerald Lakes and if you want to you can extend to Blue Lake (see extensions below).
Extras for Experts
There is the option to do a couple of extensions.
The first extension is Blue Lake between Mangatetopo Hut and Oturere Hut. It’s a 30-minute return walk, and those doing the Tongariro Crossing continue on past Blue Lake. So if you’re doing the circuit, remember to turn back around to get to Oturere Hut!
The second extension to Ohinepango Springs, and it’s 1-hour return from Waihohonu Hut. You could choose to do it when you arrive, or if you’re doing the 4-day version you could do it in the morning before you head out. The springs are crystal clear cold water bubbling up from beneath old lava flow.
The third extension (or side trip) is to Tama Lakes. The access point is half-way between Waihohonu Hut and Whakapapa Village. Tama Lakes are two filled craters. The lower lake is at 1,200 meters and is 10-minutes from the junction. And the upper lake is at 1,314 meters and is a further 40-minute walk up a steep ridge.
What to pack
- Backpack (40–60 litre size for multi-day hiking)
- Waterproof/plastic pack liner
- Sleeping bag
- First aid kit (including insect repellent, sunscreen, personal medication – extras would be plasters & strapping tape)
- Survival kit (survival blanket, whistle)
- Safety equipment relevant to the track and time of year (e.g. map, compass)
- Drink bottle (1-2 litre capacity)
- Eating and cooking utensils (knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup, pot, dishwashing liquid & tea towel)
- Portable stove and fuel
- Candle
- Matches or lighter in waterproof container
- Toiletries
- Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
- Rubbish bag
- Booking confirmation and ID
- Toilet paper
- At least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night.
- Walking boots or firm footwear (if you want you can also throw in jandals/flip flops/crocs to wear at the huts
- Socks
- Shorts (quick dry material)
- Shirt
- Thermal top and bottom layers (we call the thermal bottoms “long johns”)
- Mid-layers (wool or polar fleece)
- Raincoat (waterproof, windproof with hood)
- Pants (I feel the cold, so wear long leggings a lot of the time, but Alex can’t stand longs so wears shorts no matter what the temperature. Another option is to wear your thermal pants underneath your shorts, and away you go).
- Warm hat and gloves (I also always have a neck warmer too!)
- Sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Extra socks, underwear, shirt/lightweight jersey
Note: You cannot buy food on the track! We always make sure we pack an extra days worth of food, as you never know what could happen! It pays to take light food, as you will feel every gram on your back as you walk! 🙂
Here’s an idea of what we would often take for food:
Breakfast:
- Oats (to cook porridge) – we usually sprinkle cinnamon in the ziplock bag, and sometimes raisins.
- Banana (depending how game we are feeling in terms of it not getting squashed…).
Lunch:
- Wraps with some of the following: cheese, spinach, sundried tomatoes, avocado, tuna or salami, hummus or pesto.
Dinner:
- Freeze-dried Backcountry meals – our favourite is the vegetarian pasta (Alex adds salami to his part, and I add olives).
- Risotto or rice meals in the supermarket.
Snacks:
- Scroggin (another kiwi word! Translation = trail mix!) – ours are usually full of nuts, dried fruit and seeds.
- Chocolate – this is why we tramp. Pack lots. It’s the best.
- Oranges (while heavy, they taste delicious).
- Muesli Bars (otherwise known as granola bars).
- Soups. Great lightweight option (and a great backup option).
- Sometimes we pack crackers, cheese and pesto! A delicious snack when we arrive at the hut but it’s too early for dinner!
If you’re camping, you’ll want:
- Tent
- Sleeping mat
Other things you might want to take:
- Camera
- Ear plugs for bunk rooms (we ALWAYS take these, always!)
- Gaiters
Where to Stay & Food
Before & after: check out the “Sleep” and “Eat” sections below to work out where to stay and organising food.
During: there are three huts on the Tongariro Northern Circuit
- Mangatepopo
- Oturere
- Waihohonu
Note: Ketetahi Hut and campsite are no longer available for accommodation after a 2012 volcanic eruption.
Mt Ruapehu
Mt Ruapehu has 2 main ski-fields – Whakapapa and Tūroa. The views are outstanding – sometimes you can ski above the clouds. Both fields offer rental services, and there are frequent shuttle buses running when the fields are open.
There is a third field, Tukino, which is on the eastern slopes. Being a club-operated field, there are fewer people and a it’s bit more adventurous.
Old Coach Road
Bike (or walk) Old Coach Road! Previously a railway track, it’s 15-km one-way and goes through native forest with good views. You can walk from either Horopito or Ohakune, but if you start in Horopito you’ll be walking downhill 🙂
There are a bunch of transport options from Whakapapa and the Park Village to Horopito.
Taranaki Falls
The walk to Taranaki Falls starts just below the Whakapapa Visitor Centre in the Whakapapa Village.
It’s a 2-hours return with an upper and lower track that form a loop. It’s relatively easy, and the Taranaki Falls are located around halfway around the loop. The falls come over the edge of a 15,000-year old lava flow and drop into a pool rimmed with boulders.
Tama Lakes
Tama Lakes walk is an extension of the Taranaki Falls walk. It’s a 17 km return trip, taking approximately 2.5 hours to reach the upper lake. Return time depends on how much you enjoy downhill…
The lakes themselves fill explosion craters on the Tama Saddle, between Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe.
The lower lake sits at 1,200 meters and the upper lake at 1,400 meters. The walk between the lakes is quite steep.
The saddle is known for being a wind funnel, so be sure to pack warm, windproof clothing.
Other adventures in Tongariro National Park
White-water rafting
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Tongariro National Park: Eat
There are not endless options, so pays not to be too picky here!
If you’re after a cafe for breakfast or lunch, there’s the very basic Fergusson’s Cafe in Whakapapa (open 7 am – 3 pm daily) or The Station Cafe and Restaurant in National Park Village (open 9 am – 9 pm daily) which is higher quality.
If you’re feeling like you want to indulge, the Ruapehu Room at the Chateau in Whakapapa serves High Tea!
Also at the Chateau Ruapehu are the more basic Pihanga Cafe and T-Bar and Tussock Bar & Restaurant.
Tongariro National Park: Sleep
If you’re doing the Tongariro Nothern Circuit, it’s best to stay in Whakapapa Village the night before as this is where the track starts and ends.
In Whakapapa, you have:
Whangapapa Holiday Park ($) – free wifi, shuttle service and all the accommodation types: campervan and tent sites, cabins, backpacker beds and backpacker rooms.
Skotel Alpine Resort ($$) – comfortable bedding, views, a restaurant and bar attached plus a spa and sauna!
If you are doing the Tongariro Crossing it’s a good idea to stay in Whakapapa Village (see above) or National Park Village the night before (sometimes it pays to book an extra night as well, as weather can close the crossing or sometimes just delaying by a day will make for a more spectacular hike).
In National Park Village you have:
National Park Backpackers & YHA ($) is a good budget option in National Park Village.
Howards Mountain Lodge ($$) – basic but comfortable rooms, and a hot spa! They can also provide transfers to the Tongariro Crossing, but it’s a bit more expensive than other providers and can be time-restrictive.
If you’re not doing the crossing or the circuit, or are not time-bound, there are some good options in Ohakune.
Ohakune Accommodation:
Ohakune Top 10 Holiday Park ($) has motels, self-contained units, cabins, tent and campervan sites (powered and not).
LKNZ Lodge & Backpackers ($) is another good budget option with good hosts, tidy although rooms are at the smaller end.
The Hobbit Motorlodge ($$) is a nice option in Ohukane, with self-contained and serviced rooms. They’ve got an outside spa pool and wifi.
Where to next?
Nearby areas:
Taranaki Taupo Hamilton Wellington
Nearby Regions:
Gisborne/ Hawkes Bay Manawatu-Wanganui Taranaki WellingtonIn summer hike Tongariro, winter ski Ruapehu