Physical challenges on and around the volcanoes
The rugged, unusual landscape attracts adventurers of every kind.
- Often called the best one-day walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing is
a strenuous 17 kilometre hike past Mount Ngauruhoe and over Mount Tongariro. The
lunar-like landscape features active volcanic areas, emerald crater lakes and
panoramic views.
- Whakapapa on Mount Ruapehu is New Zealand's biggest and busiest ski fields. It
has a total of 550 hectares of ski area, with another 400 hectares of lift-accessible
terrain.
- Turoa skifield, on the southern side of Mount Ruapehu, is called 'The Giant'.
It offers 500 hectares of skiing and another 400 hectares of back country.
- Sharpen your climbing skills on ice and rock faces
- Mountain bike the famous 42 Traverse. Descend 570 metres through the Tongariro
Forest Park over old bush tracks
- Abandoned logging tracks in the Rangataua Forest, provide miles of mountain biking
fun.
- The Ohakune Mountain Road is great to cycle in summer - all downhill and the
views are wicked.
The relaxing side of life on the Volcanic Plateau
Exclusive lodges, golf courses, scenic flights and hot pools set the scene for
rest and rejuvenation.
- The historic Grand Chateau provides a luxury base for skiing and hiking
- Enjoy a game of golf on one of the region's all weather courses. Outstanding
views and no queues
- Rev yourself up for a farm bike tour - either scenic or exhilarating
- Drive the Ohakune Mountain Road - an extraordinarily scenic road that winds up
through native bush to Turoa Ski Resort. One of the features of the road is the
stratification of the vegetation
- Ride the Raurimu Spiral, an internationally recognised engineering achievement
built to negotiate a 215 metre escarpment on the North Island Main Trunk Railway.
Railway enthusiasts come from all over the world to see it
- Charter a scenic flight and climb into the sky for the grandest views of the
mountains, or take in the majestic Whanganui River from the air
- Visit the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum at Waioru
- Soak in the hot pools at nearby Tokaanu
Experiencing the mystical world of the Whanganui River
New Zealand's longest navigable river has some amazing scenery to show you.
- Travel by jet boat or, if you have the time, paddle downstream over gentle rapids.
You can hire kayaks or canoes from Taumarunui, National Park and Ohakune. Guided
trips are available
- Visitors can stay a night at the Tieke Marae, an old Maori settlement revitalised
through a partnership with local tribe Tamahaki and the Department of Conservation.
Tieke provides a modern Maori marae experience
- Walk the Mangapurua Track, which takes you to the Whanganui River via the famous
'Bridge to Nowhere'
- The Matemateonga Track utilises an old Maori trail and settler's dray road to
bring you deep into the rugged wilderness of the park
- Test your fishing skills on the Whanganui River or one of the many adjoining
streams
Fly fishing excitement
The crystal clear waters of the region's lakes, rivers and streams are home to
rainbow and brown trout.
- One of New Zealand's finest trout fisheries, the Whakapapa River, flows through
beautiful native forest. It alternates between turbulent rapids, deep pools and
long boulder runs
- The upper reaches of the Whanganui River provide clear banks for unhindered casting.
Trout are generally larger than average
- Don't forget nearby Lake Taupo, where you can fish from the comfort of a boat.
Lake Rotoaira and Lake Otamangakau offer great fishing too.
- Licences for both lake and river are available from the Visitor Information Centre.
Alternatively you could enlist the help of a local guide, who will arrange the
licence and take you to favourite fishing spots
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