1 Fiordland National Park
2 Tongariro National Park
3 Te Papa Tongarewa
4 Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
5 Abel Tasman National Park
6 Cape Reinga
7 Queenstown's Skyline Gondola
8 TranzAlpine Express
9 Mount Cook National Park
10 Waitomo Caves
This sacred “land of fire,” given by Maori to the New Zealand people over 100 years ago, is now a Unesco World Heritage Area.
Lying at the center of the North Island's volcanic plateau is the island's highest mountain - the active volcanic peak of Mount Ruapehu (2,797m). Adjacent to it are Mount Ngauruhoe (2,291m) and Mount Tongariro (1,968m) and together the trio form the heart of a high and sometimes bleak area known as the Tongariro National Park. The land was given to the government by the Maori tribal owners in 1887, and it became New Zealand's first - and the world's second - national park.
Tongariro is now New Zealand's most popular national park, mainly because of its excellent ski areas. The Whakapapa ski field lies on the northern slopes of Mount Ruapehu (25km from a small community called National Park), and the Turoa field is on the southwestern slopes (served by the town of Ohakune). The ski season generally runs from about late June to September - sometimes longer. Ruapehu is an active volcano with a warm crater lake and although normally placid, there were eruptions in 1995 and 1996. Cone-shaped Ngauruhoe periodically emits a cloud of steam, but rarely erupts. Tongariro is dormant, but has a hot spring on its slopes. There are many walking tracks through the park, including the Tongariro Crossing, a popular full-day trek across the shoulders of Mount Tongariro. For those fit enough, it is possible to make a side trip to the top of Tongariro, or even to Ngauruhoe.Address: At the end of SH48, off SH47 between SH1 and SH4
Phone: 07 892 3729 (Whakapapa visitor information)
Hours: Year round (subject to winter snow)
Restaurant: Grand Chateau (Moderately priced) is the main hotel
Bus: Through National Park and Ohakune
Train: National Park and Ohakune railroad stations
Accessible: Few paths; accessible if accompanied
Admission: Free access
Other: Taupo
Practical: Ski tours in winter from Auckland and Wellington
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