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Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park holds dual UNESCO World Heritage Site status that recognises its Maori cultural and spiritual significance as well as its outstanding natural landscape.
In 1894, it became New Zealand’s first national park, thanks to the generosity of the Ngati Tuwharetoa people. Ariki (Chief) Horonuku te Heuheu Tukino IV enacted a tuku (act of customary lore) over the mountainous heart of the area, making it sacrosanct to all New Zealanders. The Ngati Tuwharetoa iwi (tribe) has since partnered with the Crown (New Zealand government) to ensure its continued protection.
Within the Park is the 19.4km Tongariro Alpine Crossing - considered New Zealand's best one day hike. The alpine trek will take you through delicate alpine meadows, tussockland, native forest home to many birds and New Zealand’s rare native bats, and a cratered volcanic moonscape dotted with turquoise mineral lakes.
Things to do in Tongariro National Park
There are plenty of things to do in Tongariro National Park including dozens of stunning walks and hikes of varying lengths, as well as excellent skiing, snowboarding and sledding on Mt Ruapehu in winter.
Getting to Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park is easily accessed from both Taupo town and Turangi with regular daily Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttles and guides.
The drive time from Taupo town to Tongariro National Park is around an hour, or 20 minutes from Turangi.
