Tongariro National Park
In 1993 Tongariro National Park became the first property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised criteria describing cultural landscapes. The mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people and symbolize the spiritual links between this community and its environment. The park has active and extinct volcanoes, a diverse range of ecosystems and some spectacular landscapes.
Established in 1887, Tongariro was the first national park in New Zealand and the fourth in the world. It is also a dual World Heritage area, a status which recognises the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features.
It is a place of extremes and surprises, a place to explore and remember. From herb fields to forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateau and active volcanoes - Tongariro has them all.
Location Tongariro National Park is located in the central North Island of New Zealand. The nearest towns are Turangi, National Park and Ohakune.
Flora and fauna
Weather changes very quickly here. Take good clothing even on sunny days. Cases of hypothermia are relatively common on this track due to poorly equipped people attempting the walk.
The Department Of Conservation (DOC) no longer likes people to leave their cars at the Mangatepopo end of the track due to a high number of thefts so the shuttles from Ketatahi at the end of the day do not drop people off at the Mangatepopo carpark. They will only drop you on the main road which is 7 kilometres from the carpark. Instead DOC is trying to encourage people to leave their cars at Whakapapa Village and get a shuttle to the start of the track and the shuttles from the end drop you back to Whakapapa village for $15
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing , a crossing of Mt Tongariro near Turangi, Central North Island is extremely popular. It is crowded in summer with often over 200 people in one day. It is a great crossing in winter but due to snow, alpine skills, ice axe and crampons are essential. In winter, a high standard of navigational skill may be required as the poles marking the track may be buried in snow and mist may reduce visbility to 10m or less.
This is a lengthy day walk from Mangatepopo road end to the Ketatahi road. Steep climbs, good views, volcanic terrain and colourful lakes. This is an alpine crossing, dangerous in bad weather. The only water en route is at two huts; one at the start of the track and the other at the end.
A side trip to the summit of Ngauruhoe adds two hours of mostly hard, steep walking, but provides excellent views on a good day, and a great run down the scree slopes on the way back. A short and easy side trip (one hour return from Red Crater) can be made to the much less spectacular summit of Tongariro.
Red Crater can be entered from near the Emerald Lakes by walking up the steaming slope south of the lakes. Frodo and Sam walked up this slope during their vacation in Mordor. Blue Lake is sacred to Maori and is tapu, so treat it with respect.
A short scramble off-track leads to North Crater and a sidle around the massif from near Ketatahi takes you to the Te Maari craters.
The track can be very busy, especially during the summer months where it can be an almost solid line of people as the tour buses all arrive between 7-8am. If possible try get to the start of the track before then and it will seem like you've got the whole place to yourself.
A more intensive option than the one-day walk is to do the three-day northern circuit. This begins at Mangatepopo or Whakapapa, heads over the crossing (Camping is possible in the north end of South Crater, there is usually water flowing from a spring here, but not in very dry weather), then makes a short detour to Blue Lake, then down to Oturere Hut. Lava formations make Oturere Valley fantastic in miserable weather. Oturere Hut has a great waterfall nearby.
From Oturere head across desert, then through beech forest to Waihohonu Hut. Another side trip leads to the stunning Ohinepango cold springs (15 minutes from the hut), then the track heads over the gentle Tama Saddle and back to Whakapapa. A side trip on this section leads to two deep explosion craters which form Tama Lakes.
There are camping spots by the stream or cold springs (to the north of Waihohonu Hut, not Ohinepango Springs, which are to the south) in Waihohonu Valley, and beside Upper Tama Lake (a bit hard to get to)
If hitch-hiking, the easiest way to the circuit is from the Desert Road (State Highway One, the main Auckland-Wellington road), taking the track to Waihohonu Hut (1 to 2 hours). You’ll need a map to know where to find the start of the track.
In good weather it’s possible to complete the circuit in two days, but three or four is more sensible.
It is advisable to arrange transportation to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. See the list of guides and shuttle / transport providers http://www.greatlaketaupo.com/new-zealand/Crossing_transport/
Whakapapa Visitor Centre, at the heart of the village is an ideal location for all who are interested in Earth sciences. The centre boasts two audio-visual displays and is a great place to buy postcards or souvenirs.From the Visitor Centre there are several shorter treks (half day or less), particularly Taranaki Falls (approximately 3 hours). This is a great walk that takes you through forest and across scrubland and even across the lava line of past volcanic explosions.
Be very careful drinking water in the park. All of the huts have tanks to store rain water but in some, this is contaminated with gardia. Stream water can contain heavy metals from the volcanos. The positive of this is that the stream beds can have spectacular colours.
Good place to stay for starting the crossing is the campsite in Turangi. You can arrange your pickup there.
Tongariro Holiday Park Has a choice of camping ground, powered sites for campervans or Cabins ranging from basic to ensuite and 2 self contained units with tv, shower, queen bed and cooking facilities.