Tongariro National Park

The most striking topographical and geological features of the North Island are the central North Island volcanoes; Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro.  Together the mountains form the Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s first national park and a dual World Heritage area.

Consisting of snow-capped volcanoes, crater and alpine lakes, pristine rainforest, sparkling rivers, dramatic waterfalls, and astonishing native flora and fauna plus New Zealand's two largest ski resorts, Tongariro National Park is a unique and remarkable experience.

Mt Ruapehu

Mt Ruapehu is New Zealand’s most accessible live volcano and at 2,797 metres is the highest mountain in the North Island. 

      ►Check out and trek Mt Ruapehu doing the Mt Ruapehu Crater Climb.

Mt Ngauruhoe

Mt Ngauruhoe (2,291 metres) is an almost symmetrical cone and is the youngest of the three volcanoes - around 2500 years old.  Its relative youth gives rise to a more regular shaped with steep slopes.

Mt Tongariro

The sprawling Mt Tongariro is the lowest of the three (1,968 metres) and features three crater lakes on top.  The striking vivid green colour is due to minerals in the water and they're aptly named, Emerald Lakes. 

A Special Gift - Mountains Gifted by Local Maori Tribe

The vision behind the gifting of the sacred Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro grew out of the sanctity of the mountains to local Maori and the desire to ensure that their sacred nature (tapu) would be protected for all time.

The deed of gift was drawn up in court on 23 September 1887 and the peaks were gifted to the New Zealand people by the local Tuwharetoa tribe under the prescient leadership of their paramount chief, Te Heuheu Tukino IV (Horonuku).  Tongariro became the first national park in the world to be gifted by a country's indigenous people.

Since the original gift of 2,640 hectares in 1887, large areas of land have been added to the park, which today covers an area of approximately 76,000 hectares.

In January 1991 Tongariro National Park was declared a World Heritage site in recognition of its natural characteristics.

In 1994 it was granted Cultural World Heritage status in recognition of its cultural significance and history.

     ►Trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing