Top Things to do in Tongariro National Park
10 Free Things to do in Tongariro National Park That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand including Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tama Lakes, Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre (Whakapapa Visitor Centre), Ohakune Old Coach Road, Tawhai Falls, Rotopounamu Track, Whakapapa Nature Walk, Taranaki Falls, Silica Rapids Track, Mead's Wall.
Restaurants in Tongariro National Park
1. Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,166 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By RJMEX - Brooks, Canada
My wife and I did the Tongariro Crossing on February 8, 2019. We rode the Northern Express train from Auckland, stopped in Ohakune for two nights to do the Crossing, and continued on to Wellington. I had done some research on the Crossing, so we were prepared with hiking boots, day packs, layered windproof clothing, and extra collapsible water bottles. We also pre-booked a shuttle service to deliver us to the trail head, and pick us up at the finish. This is essential if you are doing the full day hike as there is a 4 hour parking limit in the car parks and the full hike is a good 6-8 hours depending on fitness level, photo op time, and how much you want to just enjoy the experience. Make no mistake, this is not a flatland "walk in the park", and unless you are at a good level of health and fitness and have the proper gear, this is not the hike for you. We are in our mid 60s and consider ourselves fit, but this was a workout. I recall the shuttle driver saying there were something like 800 stair steps going both up and down, and while they do make things less treacherous going up, they were a special kind of torture on the descent which takes 3 - 3.5 hrs. We saw several hikers suffering blisters, aching knees, and lack of water. The temperatures were quite cool when we started in the morning, along with a fairly strong wind, and we were glad for the wind proof clothing. By the time we were descending in the afternoon, it was quite warm and we had shed the layers. Heed the warnings about changing weather! We had a beautiful clear day, but a couple days earlier a guide told us the trail was down to a meter visibility in places due to fog and mist. You will find websites and reviews that play down the difficulty of this journey and tell you people from 4 years to 94 years have done the Crossing. That may well be, but these are exceptions, not the rule. My wife had to help a young nurse in her twenties who was afraid to continue due to the unstable footing on the descent from Red Crater and a guide told about having to carry a 10 year old over part of the trail he simply refused to go down. If you are unsure of your ability or equipment, book the hike with a guide or at least talk to someone who has done the crossing. Age is not the barrier, fitness and careless preparation is. If you decide to take the challenge and weather cooperates, you will be rewarded by some of the most spectacular views on the planet. Enjoy and good hiking!!
2. Tama Lakes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By PuntRdTigers
We visited the Whakapapa Visitors Information Centre & got excellent advice from staff member Hari. We were concerned we weren't Alpine Crossing prepared & we were shown some options to do with our teenagers. A pleasant walk to Taranaki Falls starting from the car park near Skotel in the village. Slight rising elevation on firm ground with some loose stones. Lots of photo opportunities. Not very busy. Good signage. We wore lots of layers, even in December as the wind is cold, but the sun harsh-a hat & sunglasses very handy. A short detour down steep steps gets you to Taranaki Falls. Back up the steps & follow the signs on to Tama Lakes. The lower lake is viewed from a windy spot-lots of people sheltering for lunch in the short foliage. We braved the 30min climb to the upper lake for a great view of both lakes as well as Mount Ruapehu & Mount Ngauruhoe. It is steep with loose small stones coming back down-best done with walking poles-but take your time! There are drop toilets just before the lower lake view & near the bridge above Taranaki Falls. Round trip took us 6 hours with plenty of photo stops, lunch & snack breaks. Sunscreen is useful. We saw no flies, no mosquitoes & no snakes!
3. Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre (Whakapapa Visitor Centre)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 474 reviews
Located in the heart of the Tongariro National Park, Whakapapa i-SITE (Tongariro Visitor Centre) provide expert local knowledge and free, objective advice on travel throughout the Ruapehu Region and New Zealand. We provide booking services for accommodation, activities, transport and more.
Reviewed By EmGeeNz - Kaiwaka, New Zealand
Great centre. Full of amazing informative displays etc. highly recommend if you wish to learn more about the area
4. Ohakune Old Coach Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip
Reviewed By kiwitreks - Masterton, New Zealand
My partner and I hired bikes and did the return journey which is about 30km. Definitely more difficult/uphill on the way there compared with the return back to ohakune. It was manageable for 2 people with 0 mountain biking experience on conventional bikes within 3 hours, but if I were to do the whole 30km again I’d opt for an e bike. Scenes are beautiful and the downhill is a great rush. I’d recommend starting early so that the track is alot quieter, after 10am it started to get busy with people dropped off at the other end.
5. Tawhai Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By travelwhere - Modesto, United States
This was a very rewarding short walk. There are some well made steps. There are 2 places to view the lovely waterfall. The guy at the information place said that a scene from Lord of the Rings was shot here. My research shows that it was called Gollum pools. I highly recommend doing this walk.
6. Rotopounamu Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By gregoryd762
We walked on New years Day, so quite a few families etc enjoying the walk, but never crowded. A lovely walk through glorious forest, with lots of information boards about the various native flora along the track. Huge tree ferns and trees like rimu etc.A few side tracks down to the lake for beautiful views. Quite a few native and endemic birds along the track and in the lake, and very loud, non- native, frogs calling from the reed beds. Quite an easy walk mainly, and a fantastic introduction to NZ bush
7. Whakapapa Nature Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By 920idal - Uppsala, Sweden
Because of weather conditions the alpine crossing hike was closed, so we did this 21km hike. Beautiful!
8. Taranaki Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By jshigi - Bellevue, United States
2-3 hour hike - Toilet halfway through the hike by the top of the waterfall which was clutch. Beautiful waterfall! Really enjoyed walking through this forest too. Make sure to check the weather, this hike was longer than expected and it started raining towards the end of the hike. Some people got caught in the rain storm when they were just starting the hike.
9. Silica Rapids Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By 793gillt - Orewa, New Zealand
Great walk for beginners! Apparently it's been renovated recently and indeed the track was really good. There were quite a few boardwalks and well-maintained steps, and some signs to tell you about the local flora and fauna. I don't like climbing over rocks, or steep up and down hills, so this was the perfect walk for me. I am a nervous walker but didn't slip once. It takes about 75 minutes each way starting just up the road from the visitor's centre. Lots of interesting things to see like the red water in the fast flowing streams, even the rocks are 'painted' red! Then the white of the silica rocks make an interesting contrast. There are many shades of red and green in the plants and trees.
10. Mead's Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By rosst345 - Sandringham, New Zealand
Stunning scenery. A must do if up at the Bruce. So much atmosphere. Spectacular views. Easy to get to and easy decent via ski run outside of season.
