Ruapehu - an all seasons destination
PHOTO: Tongariro National Park
The Ruapehu District located in the central North Island of New Zealand, is blessed with outstanding natural features. It includes the world heritage Tongariro National Park - home to Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro. Also the Whanganui National Park - home to an abundance of flora and fauna, and the mystical Whanganui River - the longest navigable river in New Zealand.
Ruapehu has a fascinating history and heritage and is the ultimate "mountains and river experience" in New Zealand. A truly unique place to visit all year round.
World Heritage 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.
Mt Ruapehu is New Zealand's most accessible live volcano and at 2,797 metres is the highest mountain in the North Island. Mt Ngauruhoe (2,291 metres) is an almost symmetrical cone, which formed from a vent in Mt Tongariro (1,968 metres).
Mt Ruapehu
The Ruapehu District takes its name from Mount Ruapehu (rua "pit", pehu "to explode"). Sacred to local Maori, it is enjoyed and explored all year round by hikers, skiers, snow boarders, botanists, geologists and nature lovers alike.
Like Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu's history began well before the last ice age. Its eight named glaciers are the only glaciers in the North Island. Mount Ruapehu's sacred Crater Lake is only one of three in the world surrounded by ice and snow.
Mt Ruapehu's majestic slopes accommodate New Zealand's largest and most developed ski areas, Whakapapa and Turoa.
Mt Ngauruhoe - Lord of the Rings Mt Doom
Mt Ngauruhoe is around 2,500 years old and is the youngest of the three volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park. Its relative youth gives rise to a more regular volcano shape with steep slopes.
Local Maori traditionally considered Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro to be one mountain and geologists regard Mount Ngauruhoe part of Mount Tongariro's structure.
Mount Ngauruhoe was digitally altered to appear as the evil Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
Mount Tongariro & The Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Mount Tongariro is the lowest of the three volcanoes but its sprawling mass makes up for its lack of height. Driving past or flying over Mount Tongariro gives one the best indication of its actual size.
Red Crater is considered active, last giving out ash in 1926 and it has three water filled craters coloured by minerals giving them the name Emerald Lakes.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, regarded as New Zealand's best one day trek traverses the mountain up over the Mangatepopo saddle that runs between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro, past the Red Crater and Emerald Lakes to Ketetahi Hut and the final descent.
A strenuous seventeen-kilometre hike, Tongariro Alpine Crossing is usually hiked from November to May and takes around eight hours.
Ohakune and Surrounds
Ohakune & surrounds covers the west and southern parts of the Ruapehu District and centres on the resort town of Ohakune, the southern gateway to the Tongariro National Park.
The area includes Raetihi, Pipiriki, The Bridge to Nowhere, Ruatiti, the Whanganui River and the Whanganui National Park, west and northwest of Ohakune.
Horopito, north of Ohakune close to the Tongariro National Park and Erua Forest Park.
The Rangataua Conservation Reserve, Rangataua village, the Rangipo Desert and Waiouru (home to the New Zealand army) east and southeast of Ohakune.
More Information
Ruapehu Visitor Centre
54 Clyde Street, Ohakune
9am to 5pm (Monday to Sunday)
9am to 3.30pm (Public Holidays)
Ph 06 385 8427
Freephone (bookings only) 0800 RUAPEHU 0800 782 734)
Taumarunui Visitor Centre
Railway Station, Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui
9am to 4.30pm (Monday to Friday)
10am to 4pm (Sat/Sun Public Holidays)
Ph 07 895 7494
Raetihi Visitor Centre
46 Seddon Street, Raetihi
9.30am to 4.30pm (Monday to Friday)
1 to 4pm (Sun)
Ph 06 385 4805
Department of Conservation Visitor Centre
State Highway 48, Whakapapa Village, Mt Ruapehu
Winter (Mar-Nov) 8.00am to 5.00pm
Summer (Dec-Feb) 8.00am to 6.00pm
Open 7 days except Christmas Day