2025 Ohakune Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Tongariro is actually the oldest national park in New Zealand, and it was only the 6th in the world to be established.It was created in 1887 and now holds dual world heritage status, recognizing both its significance in Maori culture and religion, as well as its diverse and dramatic volcanic landscape. The park covers 80,000 hectares of land, which is 796 square kilometers (307 square miles).However, you’ll find glaciers, ancient lava flows, rivers, cascading waterfalls, alpine lakes, and even ski fields here.This striking and widely varied landscape is why Tongariro National Park was chosen as a filming location for several of the Lord of the Rings movies. In fact, Mount Ngauruhoe was actually used for Mount Doom in the film (with some digital alterations, of course). Meanwhile, among other locations, Mount Ruapehu was the setting for Emyn Muil and two waterfalls were used for Gollum’s Pool. New Zealand is celebrated for its natural beauty, adventurous outdoor activities, and Maori culture – you’ll find all that (and much more!) when you visit Tongariro National Park.#awesomepic #couplestrip #mytripvlog #nationalpark #bucketlistreboot #2023travelwish #2023travelwish #newzealand #newzealandtravel #trekking

Skotel Alpine Resort is the highest hotel in New Zealand and one of the only two hotels in the Tongariro National Park. Because it is a hostel style, the price is much better than the castle hotel next door. It is also very popular among many young people. Landing. The hotel is in a very good location, next to the popular Taranaki Falls Taranaki Falls trail, and you can look up at the snowy mountains in the backyard of the hotel. And if you want to take a day trip through the attractions of the National Park, the hotel can also arrange a shuttle bus and provide rental of hiking equipment.

#North Island The North Island of New Zealand (Te Ika-a-Māui in Māori) is one of the country’s two main islands, known for its vibrant cities, geothermal activity, and strong Māori cultural heritage. Here’s an overview of its key features: 1. Major Cities • Auckland: The largest city in New Zealand, a multicultural urban hub with beaches, volcanoes, and a strong economy. • Wellington: The capital city, located at the southern tip of the island. Known for its arts scene, government institutions, and the national museum, Te Papa. • Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier-Hastings, and Whangārei are other significant urban areas. 2. Geography & Nature • Volcanic Plateau: Home to active volcanoes like Mount Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro in Tongariro National Park. • Geothermal Areas: Notably in Rotorua and Taupō, with hot springs, geysers, and mud pools. • Beaches: The Bay of Islands, Coromandel Peninsula, and East Cape feature beautiful coastlines. • Lakes & Rivers: Lake Taupō is the largest lake in New Zealand, and the Waikato River is the longest. 3. Culture • Strong Māori cultural presence, with numerous marae (meeting grounds), and historical sites such as Waitangi Treaty Grounds. • Blend of Māori and European (Pākehā) influences. 4. Economy • Dominated by services, agriculture (especially dairy and horticulture), tourism, and technology. • Auckland and Wellington are major business and political centers. 5. Attractions • Hobbiton Movie Set (near Matamata) • Waitomo Caves (glowworms and underground rivers) • Rotorua (Māori culture and geothermal wonders) • Bay of Plenty and Northland (subtropical beaches and cultural landmarks) Address - Ambiance/Facilities - Highlights - Avg. Price per Person - Rating -

This is an absolute must visit if you are doing a trip around the north island of New Zealand, the Tongariro national park is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. It was the setting for a lot of the Lord of The rings Teiloft so it’s a very popular place, the filming location for mount doom. It comprises of a walk through the mountains, lakes and passes that make up the area. We booked a trip but unfortunately due to the high winds the trip was cancelled, please check the weather carefully and take it seriously - we saw lots of unprepared people. We instead took the smaller walk to the Tama lakes which was also stunning. It’s roughly a 2.5 hour walk over the barren tundra to see two huge lakes formed by previous volcanic eruptions. There are also small streams and waterfalls along the way, so plenty to see and do! There are also various hikes that veer off the main routes but be careful as some are quite long and have no toilets. The main routes are well maintained with toilets every 45 minutes or so. There’s a welcome center and cafes at the entrance but everything them is very expensive! We stopped off at small shops before hand and stocked up to save money! ‼️ Make sure you use suncream and top up often, we walked for four hours and it was very hot with absolutely NO SHADE. Please be careful, we saw lots of burnt people. Even if it’s cold and windy you can burn ‼️ 📍Address: Tongariro National Park, half an hour drive from Turangi 🕰️Business Hours: Depends on the weather please check daily! 💰Average Price per Person: £30-100 depending on your group size and guide. 🗓️Itinerary Scheduling: Get there early and start early, try and be done by lunch to avoid the heat and lack of shade #naturalwonders #explore #travel #hiking #thingstodo #mountain #outdoor #nature #lordoftherings #filmsite #newzealand #northisland

Whakapapa,New Zealand #myitinerary ,family is love💞

Flying fox so much fun, close to our accommodation! Nice walk around the park as well

#summerdestinationsWhakapapa Mt Ropehu New Zealand

#christmastrip The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand is a trekking like no other, a visual feast of volcanic landscapes and surreal vistas. It’s also my number 1 favorite hike on the north island of New Zealand ! Here are the top five things to do and see along this awe-inspiring trail: Emerald Lakes Marvel: Witness the Emerald Lakes, a trio of vibrant, mineral-rich pools nestled in the volcanic terrain. Their striking turquoise hues against the stark landscape create a surreal tableau, making it a highlight of the journey. Red Crater Summit: Ascend to the summit of the Red Crater for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Tongariro landscape. The juxtaposition of the crimson-hued crater against the emerald lakes and surrounding mountains is a visual spectacle that defines the trek. Soda Springs and Taranaki Falls: Delight in the smaller wonders along the trail. Stop at Soda Springs, a bubbling stream in an alpine meadow, and continue to Taranaki Falls for a refreshing waterfall experience amidst the volcanic terrain. Ngauruhoe Ascent: For the adventurous, the optional side trek to the summit of Mount Ngauruhoe offers a thrilling challenge. The panoramic views from the top, including glimpses of Mount Ruapehu, reward those who conquer this iconic volcanic . South Crater Stroll: Take a moment to traverse the expansive South Crater, a vast, otherworldly plateau surrounded by volcanic peaks. The sense of space and solitude in this desolate yet captivating landscape is a unique facet of the crossing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is an exhilarating journey through an ever-changing volcanic canvas, where each step reveals the raw beauty and geological wonders of New Zealand's North Island

#fallishere Amazing views of the spectacular blue lake and we stopped alot of times along the way to take lots of pictures and took a good few breaks to eat food. The start is pretty easy and you can walk fast. On your way you see beautiful and picturesque landscapes. The craters, lakes and mountains were absolutely stunning. We took about 6-7 hrs with stops from start to finish so take enough water,snacks and sun protection with you. A really beautiful walk to see the bright blue crater lakes and volcanoes.

Walk to Taranaki Falls (20 m) and enjoy excellent mountain views and a range of land forms on a loop track. Taranaki Falls Walk Continuing on up the track, Taranaki Falls comes into view tumbling 20 metres over the edge of a large andesite lava flow which erupted from Ruapehu 15,000 years ago

New Zealand is one of the best places for hiking because of the amazing views the place has to offer. And the Tongariro Crossing as shown in this photo, is a must do hike, if you’re up to some fun and exciting hike in the North Island! The trail offers beautiful sceneries no matter which spot you are at, made up by the natural landscape and the clean environment. And we should never take the clean part for granted! Its a place which is really crowded with tourists, and it takes everyone to play a part in making sure they do not leave any carbon footprint behind, like throwing their food wrappers, bottled water etc. Like for us, we packed our food in food containers, bought a trash bag along with us to keep all the waste. Leave no trails behind and we will get to enjoy these beautiful hikes, every single time! ☺️ #greentrip #greenliving