Top Things to do in Tongariro National Park
Things to do in Tongariro National Park, North Island: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand including Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Horsemtrails, Tama Lakes, Ketetahi Falls, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Active Outdoor Adventures, Ohakune Old Coach Road, Mead's Wall, Mt Ruapehu, Mahuia Rapids.
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. Horsemtrails
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
Memorable horse trekkings at the foot of the great mountains Tongariro - Ruapehu - Ngauruhoe.
Reviewed By VikkiA102
Cannot sing praises high enough!! I had the most magical day out on a horse trek with Hone, it really is a must do! The trek took us through beeeeaaaaautiful native forest with the added bonus of an exciting river crossing and a picnic in a remote hut. Having never done an off-trail horse trek like this before, I felt it was the perfect balance between being challenging and exhilarating while also feeling perfectly safe under Hones watch and guidance. Hone is an awesome guide and his passion for the horses and knowledge of the area really shines through. His horses are all gorgeous and having the chance to travel through such a pristine forest with them was a dream come true! Thanks a million Hone and Wai - wonderful people and an amazing experience!
3. 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!
4. Ketetahi Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
5. Tongariro Northern Circuit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Great Walks season is October - April (see website for exact dates). Outside this period facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional safety hazards to consider. Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By miriamviev - Puttershoek, The Netherlands
Amazing hike. Started at the village, then the mangatepopo hut, oturere hut (bit small and crowded) and last but not least the Waihohonu hut (spacious and modern). Had lots of different types of weather but we always had nice views. Loved it!
6. Active Outdoor Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 83 reviews
Active Outdoor Adventures provides a shuttle service to the famous Tongariro Crossing which is considered one of the best one day hikes in New Zealand. 19.4 kilometers or 6-8 hours of pure drama and beauty. Walking over a volcanic landscape & passing colored lakes, springs and steaming vents with outstanding views is what attracts thousands of visitors to the Tongariro National Park on a daily basis during summer. Not only do we transport, we emphasize how important the area is to us as Maori with a bit of cultural history & stories when you depart our shuttle all from genuine local drivers.
Reviewed By codykohler - Hong Kong, China
The best part was the driver who explained a bit of history about the hike and the mountains, also sent us off with a traditional prayer before we exited the van. Be sure to have everything packed before you leave your car (including water) once you enter the van hike is on. The parking lot was convient at the end of the hike,
7. 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.
8. Mead's Wall
9. Mt Ruapehu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 465 reviews
Mt Ruapehu Whakapapa & Turoa has a world of unforgettable experiences to offer to alpine-lovers all year round. Home to two of New Zealand’s largest ski areas, New Zealand’s highest cafe & restaurant and amazing volcanic walks when the snow recedes; Whakapapa and Turoa offers an unparalleled experience of the dual world heritage status Tongariro National Park. Whakapapa has something for every skier and rider, with a premier beginners area, more than 30 groomed trails to fall in love with, plus a huge variety of off-piste terrain from wide-open runs to bowls, bumps, chutes and drops. Turoa offers a massive 722m of vertical descent from the top of Australasia’s highest chairlift – the Highnoon Express. Wide-open trails, pristine groomed runs, natural bowls and chutes will keep even the most experienced snow sports enthusiasts grinning from ear to ear. Alpine Meadow is an ideal beginner’s area with its 120m long carpet lift to move you smoothly around.
Reviewed By hikingprincess2018 - County Dublin, Ireland
Just finished the video of our Mt Ruapehu Crater Climb. It was a spectacular day out. The other-worldly treasures are hidden away until you get to the rim and then it's all on. Luckily there were no rumbles or lahars (this volcano has erupted 60 times since 1945!). Pele must have been watching over us. The views on a clear day, from atop an active volcano, at 2,672m / 8,766 ft. are superb. It reminded me of how eloquently The Smithsonianmag.com described entering Haleakalā ‘crater’ like an exercise in sensory deprivation. This holds equally here as you gaze into the summit plateau replete with mini glaciers and again when you reach the hidden crater lake with its eerie lifeless hue. It's similtaneously fascinating and foreboding - evidence of the beauty, power and violence of nature surrounds you and is mesmeric. This is not a place to linger too long as you might do near a scenic lake. The frisson at Mt Ruapehu's crater is palpable:) Mt Ruapehu Crater Climb is not a formatted Great Walk like The Tongariro Crossing or The Northern Circuit. DOC class this as an Alpine climb. This should not be attempted if you are not experienced and fit. Established navigational skills are essential here. The volcanic terrain is amorphous. There are few distinguishing landmarks, save for the chairlifts and t-bars, but they disappear rather quickly. There are numerous ridges to lead you astray and you could find yourself heading in the wrong direction at the end of the day. A guided tour is an excellent way to do this hike if you are unsure. This is a magnificent day out. Please let me know If you have done this hike and were as much in awe as we were. We had not looked at any images so it made the reveal greater. I had expected the usual crater arrangement lol! Happy and safe hiking, always:)
