Tongariro National Park Travelers Recommend

You could easily spend a week in Tongariro National Park, a beautiful, diverse UNESCO World Heritage Site offering adventurous visitors countless outdoor activities. If you have only two days there, though, here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

**Morning and afternoon:**The 12-mile (19-kilometer) Tongariro Alpine Crossing is often called one of the best day hikes in the world. Get up early to get a head start on the trail. The first few hours are mostly uphill, as you cross a plateau with views of several active volcanoes. Stop for a picnic lunch beside a bright turquoise sulfur lake, and prepare for the descent. The downhill trail through native bush contrasts with the arid, moonlike landscape of the plateau. End at a parking lot, where your prearranged ride waits for you.

**Night:**Rest up. To rejuvenate your body and help prevent muscles from aching the following day, find a natural hot spring in Turangi or greater Taupo. Alternatively, seek out a relaxing massage. 

Day 2: Cycle the Ohakune Old Coach Road

**Morning:**Enjoy a leisurely brunch, then rent a bicycle so you can ride the easy-to-moderate 2.5-hour Ohakune Old Coach Road.

**Afternoon:**Hit the bike trail. The Ohakune Old Coach Road was constructed in 1906 to connect two ends of the North Island’s main trunk railway line, which were separated by rugged terrain. Revived for hiking and cycling, the trail features a cobbled road, steel viaducts, dense native bush, and views of the Central Plateau. 

**Night:**You definitely deserve a rest at the end of the second day. Find a bar or restaurant and savor a few local New Zealand craft beers or some wine from nearby Hawke’s Bay.

Adventurous travelers who enjoy the great outdoors love the central North Island’s Tongariro National Park. Geologically important and culturally significant to the local Maori, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is like nowhere else in New Zealand. Here are some ways to spend three active days in and around the park. 

Day 1: Cycle the Ohakune Old Coach Road

The small town of Ohakune is a good place to base yourself while exploring the park. Rent a mountain bike, then head to the Old Coach Road, constructed in 1906 to connect two ends of the North Island’s main trunk railway line. Revived for recreational purposes, the trail features a cobbled road, steel viaducts, dense native bush, and views of the Central Plateau. Take your time cycling the easy-to-moderate 2.5-hour route—or walk it, if you prefer.

Day 2: Tackle the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the most popular day hikes in the country. Your efforts are rewarded with views of the ancient volcanic landscape (including Ngauruhoe, Tongariro, and Ruapehu mountains) and bright turquoise sulfur lakes. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness can attempt the hike, but be prepared for unpredictable weather. Go independently or with a guide. 

If you’re not quite up for the full hike, shorter journeys are available. On a sunset tour, for example, you’ll get the spectacular views without the physical challenge that a full-day trek requires.

Day 3: Raft the Tongariro River

To complete an adventure activity trio, spend your third day white-water rafting on the Tongariro River. There’s a range of routes, from beginner/family-friendly to more advanced—depending on how confident you are in the water and how wet you want to get. The more advanced courses run up to 60 rapids. Trips usually depart from Taupo or Turangi, and accommodation pickups are often available from other towns in the Tongariro area. You’ll see rare birds and other animals, native bush, gorges, and more.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tongariro National Park is recognized for its natural beauty, geologic and volcanic importance, and significance to local Maori. With one day to spend there, don’t miss the 12-mile (19-kilometer) Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Here’s what to expect from one of the world’s best day hikes. 

Morning: Set out early

The trailhead for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is easily accessible from Ohakune and Turangi. Guided tours pick up from most accommodations, and some hotels and hostels can arrange transfers for guests who want to hike independently. Get an early start on the trail so you can take your time. The first couple of hours include a lot of uphill, particularly the aptly named Devil’s Staircase. You’ll also walk through a volcanic crater that resembles a moonscape.

Afternoon: Begin your descent

Many hikers like to stop for lunch on the trail beside one of the bright turquoise crater lakes—just don’t get in the water. The second half of the hike is mainly downhill. Following a trail through dense native bush—a contrast to the rocky volcanic plateau—you’ll end at a parking lot, where your ride will be waiting for you. 

Night: Soak in a hot-springs bath

However fit you are, you’re likely to feel tired after the hike. Time for a hot-springs bath to soothe your aching muscles. Options abound in Turangi and greater Taupo, including outdoor public pools and resort baths. The waters are naturally heated by the area’s underground thermal activity.