Tongariro National Park is the most-visited national park on the North Island of New Zealand. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is probably the most popular day hike in the whole country! But there’s more to see here than just the epic hikes. Tongariro has three active volcanoes: Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu, and Tongariro. Explore more of the national park away from the crossing and get away from the crowds! Here are the best things to see and do in Tongariro National Park.
The Best Things to See and Do in Tongariro National Park
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Of course, the top thing to do here is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Yes, it’s busy with other hikes, and yes, figuring out shuttle reservations can be a pain. But it’s one of the best hikes in New Zealand with good reason. You walk through volcanic landscapes, in the shadow of Mt. Ngauruhoe (the real-life Mount Doom, for my Lord of the Rings fans!), past brightly colored crater lakes. The hike is 22.3km (13.8 miles), with 877 meters (2876 ft) of elevation gain; it’ll take between 6.5 and 9 hours. Read my hiking guide for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing!
Taranaki Falls
This is a beautiful waterfall and one spot you can’t miss in Tongariro National Park. I skipped it the first time, and I’m so glad I came back here to see this waterfall! The walk is approximately 6km, and will take about 1.5 to 2 hours. The trail is connected with the Tama Lakes walk (see below).
Tama Lakes
The hike to Tama Lakes is an epic walk that’s often recommended as an alternative if there’s a bad weather forecast for Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The trail is 18.7km (11.6 miles) – according to my Strava – with 579 meters (1901ft) of elevation gain; it’ll take 5 to 6 hours. The trail goes through the volcanic landscapes around Mt. Ruapehu, before Lower Tama Lake, a crater lake, comes into view. There’s a steep and challenging scree slope to climb up to the viewpoint over Upper Tama Lake – I highly recommend hiking poles, and I wouldn’t attempt this in bad weather.
Tawhai Falls
Tawhai Falls is also known as Gollum’s Pool, as it’s a Lord of the Rings film location: scenes featuring Gollum catching a fish from the Forbidden Pool were filmed here. It’s a short 20-minute walk to see the falls, where you can pretend to be Gollum if you’re a nerd like me. Parking here can be difficult, as there’s a small car park at the trailhead, and spaces across the road, but the waterfall is popular; a lot of people park alongside the road, which can be dangerous.
Whakapapa Ski Field
If you’re coming to Tongariro in winter, you’re probably coming to ski or enjoy the national park’s winter activities. But this part of the national park is well worth visiting year-round. Take the Sky Waka gondola 1.8km up the mountain – on a clear day, you might even see Mt. Taranaki in the far distance! There are a number of Lord of the Rings film locations, mainly from the Prologue, which were filmed here – my LOTR guide has all the information!
Meads Wall
One Lord of the Rings film location that’s worth visiting in Tongariro is Meads Wall. This was the stand-in for Emyn Muil, where Frodo and Sam got lost on the way to Mordor and captured Gollum. It’s a short 10-minute walk up to the ridge, where there are great views of Mt. Ngauruhoe in the distance, and around Whakapapa Ski Field.
Whakapapa Nature Walk
Whakapapa Nature Walk is a great short hike in Tongariro National Park, a solid choice for families with kids or anyone who wants to stretch their legs without undertaking a serious hike. It’s about 15 minutes total, with a view out towards Mt. Ngauruhoe.
Chateau Tongariro Hotel
Sadly, this well-known, historic hotel closed for good in 2023. It dates back to the 1920s, and has a fantastic location in Whakapapa in the shadow of Mt. Ruapehu. The hotel was closed due to seismic risks, which isn’t surprising given its location – but it’s still worth snapping a pic here when you visit Tongariro!
Ohakune Old Coach Road
For an underrated adventure, take a bike ride on the Ohakune Old Coach Road. The track is approximately 15km, and will take about 3-4 hours to cycle one way. I rented bikes and got a shuttle to Horopito from TCB in Ohakune. It cost $60 NZD per person, with time slots/shuttle service available at 10:00am and 12:00pm. Seeing the Hapuawhenua Viaduct was definitely a highlight! While you’re in town, be sure to stop by and see the quirky Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park – definitely one of the weirdest rest stops I’ve been to.
Mangawhero Falls
Mangawhero Falls is located just off the Ohakune Mountain Road, a paved road up towards Mt. Ruapehu. It’s a short five-minute walk to reach a viewpoint of the waterfall, which has a dramatic drop of 28 meters. This is another Lord of the Rings film location, used for scenes with Gollum’s Pool and Ithilien in Two Towers.
Waitonga Falls
Sadly, I missed Waitonga Falls on both my trips to Tongariro National Park. The walk here also starts on the Ohakune Mountain Road – Waitonga Falls is the tallest waterfall in the national park. The hike is about 4km total, and will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Silica Rapids
Silica Rapids is another relatively moderate hike in Tongariro. The hike goes through the bush to the rapids, which look creamy due to all the water movement. The trail begins near Whakapapa Visitor Center, and is 7km in total; it’ll take about 2.5 hours.
Tongariro Northern Circuit
If you’re after a multi-day hike, consider the Tongariro Northern Circuit. This hike is 45km total, and will take 3 to 4 days, with huts available for overnight camping along the way. The volcanic landscapes here are mysterious and beautiful, so this is a top choice if you’re wanting a challenge.
Planning Your Trip to Tongariro National Park
There is a small airport here, but the nearest major airport is Auckland airport. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. It’s easiest to explore Tongariro National Park with your own vehicle, although there is a train service and bus connections with Intercity that stop in National Park. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
If you’re looking for more tours in Tongariro, check out the options below!
Where to Stay in Tongariro National Park
It’s best to base yourself in either National Park Village or Whakapapa for visiting Tongariro. I recommend National Park Village, just because there’s a Kiwicamp freedom campsite at the Park and Ride here! The site is free and there are free toilets, but there are also (hot) showers, laundry, and kitchen facilities which you can pay for using a Penny (formerly Kiwicash) account. The maximum stay is three nights.
- Budget: National Park Backpackers – hostel accommodation with a great location in National Park Village
- Mid-range: The Park Hotel Ruapehu – relaxed, comfortable rooms and suites, plus a popular restaurant
- Mid-range: Skotel Alpine Resort – the best place to stay in Whakapapa Village, with a range of accommodation choices, great views, a hot tub, and a terrace bar
- Boutique: Plateau Lodge – beautiful rooms and studios, with welcoming staff and comfy beds
Tongariro National Park is one of the best destinations in New Zealand. So many people visit only to do the alpine crossing hike, and then leave – but there’s so much more to see and do here! There are so many great hikes to do here, and a lot of different landscapes to explore. I hope this post helps planning your trip to Tongariro National Park!
Have you visited Tongariro National Park? Did you do the Alpine Crossing or another experience?
You might also like my posts:
Tongariro Alpine Crossing: What to Know About New Zealand’s Most Epic Day Hike
Lord of the Rings Film Locations to Visit in New Zealand
The Best Day Hikes Around Queenstown, New Zealand
How to Visit Poolburn Dam, Central Otago (LOTR Film Location)
Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Mount Sunday (Edoras)
How to Save Money Traveling New Zealand on a Budget
All of my New Zealand posts!
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