2025 National Park Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#OverseasTravelTactics Taupo and Tongariro, located in the center of New Zealand's North Island, are a treasure trove of magnificent nature and geothermal activities. Despite the weather, we enjoyed a variety of scenery and experiences during our 4-night, 5-day trip. Day 1: Arrival in Taupo and a stroll around the lake After arriving in Taupo by bus from Wellington, we checked into our accommodation and then strolled around the city. Lake Taupo, the city's symbol, was beautiful against the clear skies. On the way, we stopped at a unique McDonald's restaurant with an airplane on display and took a photo of the popular theme. There were also plenty of local supermarkets and souvenir shops, and we spent a relaxing afternoon. Day 2: Abandoned Tongariro due to bad weather → Changed to visiting hot springs and geothermal energy Originally, we had planned to do the "Tongariro Alpine Crossing" on this day, but it was canceled due to strong winds and fog in the mountainous area. Instead, we visited the geothermal area "Craters of the Moon" to see the mysterious steam and hot spring land, sampled Manuka honey at "Honey Hive", and experienced the overwhelming amount of water at "Huka Falls". We were very satisfied with the unplanned sightseeing. Day 3 | Finally to Tongariro! Pilgrimage to the filming locations and a tough mountain climbing experience Finally, we went to the long-awaited "Tongariro Alpine Crossing". This trail, famous as a filming location for The Lord of the Rings, is a treasure trove of spectacular views such as volcanoes, lava, craters, and emerald lakes... but due to bad weather, the visibility was completely white. Nevertheless, we covered the entire route of about 20 km, including the Red Crater at an altitude of 1,886 m. It was about 6 hours one way, and the sense of accomplishment of walking the road with its many ups and downs was great, but to be honest, it was quite hard. It was unfortunate that the weather was not good, but we still got the satisfaction of the pilgrimage. Day 4 | Down with muscle pain... Complete rest at the hotel Due to the fatigue and muscle pain from the previous day's climb, I could barely move that day. I spent the day relaxing at the hotel drinking hot tea and trying to recover my strength. Days like this are also part of the trip. Day 5 | Moving to Auckland and wrapping up the trip I checked out early in the morning and headed to Auckland by bus. It was a 5-day nature trip filled with experiences and impressions. Spot information ・Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Convenient access with a tour with transfer from National Park Village or Taupo. Advance reservations and weather check required. ・Huka Falls: 10 minutes by car from Taupo city. Parking and observation deck available. ・Honey Hive: A popular store with a wide selection of manuka honey products. Tastings are also available. ・Craters of the Moon: Entrance fee required. The natural smoke from geothermal energy is fantastic. #New Zealand trip #Tongariro Crossing #Lake Taupo #Geothermal area #Huka Falls #Lord of the Rings pilgrimage #Muscle pain guaranteed #A spectacular trip to the great outdoors

#2月好去地方2025 Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the most famous hiking trails in New Zealand and is known as one of the best one-day hiking routes in the world. This 12.5-mile (19.4-kilometer) trail traverses dramatic volcanic terrain, with craters, emerald lakes, geothermal features and stunning mountain views along the way, making you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : This section is relatively easy and is a good time to warm up. 2. Soda Springs to South Crater (4-6 km) Start to enter the steep "Devil's Staircase", which is one of the most challenging climbing sections on the trail. It needs to climb about 300 meters to South Crater, which is a large and spectacular volcanic basin. 3. South Crater to Red Crater (6-8 km, the highest point of the trail is 1,886 meters) Enter the most exciting section and climb Red Crater. The red rocks around the crater are oxidized by high temperatures, forming bright colors. The wind is strong and the terrain is soft, so you need to walk carefully, but you can overlook the spectacular volcanic landscape here. 4. Red Crater to Emerald Lakes (8-9 km) This section of the road is the most popular check-in point! The three emerald lakes are dreamy in color. Due to the action of volcanic minerals, the lake water presents different shades of emerald color, and the scenery is stunning. 5. Emerald Lakes to Blue Lake (9-10 km) After leaving Emerald Lakes, the trail begins to descend and arrives at Blue Lake. This mysterious volcanic lake is considered a sacred place by the local Maori people and the lake water cannot be touched. 6. Blue Lake to Ketetahi Shelter (10-16 km) This section of the road starts to go downhill and enter the steam fumarole area. Geothermal activities can be seen along the way. 7. Ketetahi Shelter to Ketetahi Carpark (16-19.4 km) The last 3 km is in forest area and the trail is relatively gentle, but your legs may feel tired after the long trek. The finish line is at the Ketetahi parking lot, completing a spectacular volcano hike! --- Transportation and transfers This trail is a one-way route, so it is recommended to take a shuttle bus to the trailhead and be picked up at the end and taken back to the starting point. You can choose to pick up from your accommodation (eg Turangi, National Park Village). --- ✔ Best season: November to April (summer), the weather is relatively stable ✘ Winter hiking: From May to October, the trail is covered with snow, and ice climbing equipment is required. Experienced people or guided tours are recommended ⚠ Weather changes quickly: Be sure to check the weather forecast before departure. Hiking is not recommended when there is strong wind, heavy rain or heavy fog ⚠ Altitude sickness note: Some people may have mild altitude sickness, such as dizziness or nausea, so it is recommended to slow down Compared to Taiwan's mountains above 3,000 meters above sea level, this hiking trail is not too difficult. The main thing is that you need to have strong willpower. After all, it takes 7-8 hours to complete a one-way trail, but the scenery along the way is really worth the effort to appreciate. I wish everyone a wonderful travel experience!

#newzealandtrip I tackled the legendary Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and it was an unforgettable odyssey! This 19.4km trek wound through a surreal landscape of volcanic peaks, emerald lakes, and rusty red terrain. The challenging climb was rewarded with breathtaking views of Mt. Ngauruhoe (aka Mt. Doom) and the surrounding wilderness. The ever-changing scenery, from alpine meadows to rocky ridges, kept me enthralled. This hike is a must-do for adventure-seekers and Lord of the Rings fans alike!

#newzealandtrip Tawhai Falls, famously known as Gollum’s Pool from The Lord of the Rings, is a must-visit spot for nature lovers and movie buffs alike. Located conveniently on the way to Whakapapa, this quick detour offers a refreshing escape into New Zealand’s lush wilderness. A short, well-maintained walk through native forest leads you to the stunning waterfall, cascading into a serene pool below. The tranquil atmosphere and picturesque scenery make it feel like stepping into Middle-earth. It’s easy to see why this location was chosen for the iconic scene. Whether you’re a fan of the films or just love natural beauty, Tawhai Falls is a perfect stop to stretch your legs and soak in the magic of the outdoors.