Tongariro National Park

The attraction of walking in Tongariro National Park

The Tongariro National Park is located in the centre of the north island. It is New Zealand’s oldest national park, having been established in 1894. The national park area is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on the dual basis of its natural volcanic features and its Maori cultural significance.

Within the 80,000 hectare park lie three active volcanic mountains - Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. This is an area of dramatic volcanic landscapes including emerald lakes, old lava flows, steaming craters and colourful silica terraces. In many ways, it feels like you have landed on another planet!

The national park is home to the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the 9 multi-day walks that the New Zealand government markets as ‘New Zealand Great Walks’. A portion of the Tongariro Northern Circuit is known as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a one day walk that often features in listings of the world’s best one day walks.  

One of the best multi-day walks in the Tongariro National Park is the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Click the button below for a description of the Tongariro Northern Circuit.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit is just one of many Tongariro National Park walks we can tell you about, and help you to plan and book. Click below to learn more.