With active volcanoes, moon-like landscapes, hot mud pools, icy lakes and thick forests, Tongariro National Park has New Zealand written all over it.
Tongariro, smack-bang in the middle of the North Island, was one of the world’s first national parks and now has dual World Heritage status. And with three volcanic peaks and stunning glacier lakes it’s special alright. You may recognise Ngauruhoe as Mount Doom from The Lord of the Rings movies, Ruapehu has the Whakapapa and Turo ski fields and Tongariro itself looms over Lake Taupo. Summer is great for alpine crossing, mountain biking and swimming.
