Tūrangi, Ruapehu & Taumarunui

Make a stop at Tūrangi

The region is one of the last true wild trout fisheries in the world and you can’t buy trout so you must fish for your dinner. Find a fishing guide or ask for advice at Tūrangi’s Visitor Centre, but make sure you get a fishing licence first.

The Department of Conservation runs the Tongariro National Trout Centre, just 4km south of Tūrangi. Walk through the museum and learn all about trout, feed some in the aquarium and learn to fish. Find out about the endangered whio ducks and see them on site.

There are lovely walks from the centre along the banks of the Tongariro River. Watch out for trout and listen for birdlife as you wander in peace through beautiful native bush.

Tūrangi is also an ideal base for excursions into Tongariro National Park and is just 40 minutes from Whakapapa ski area on Mt Ruapehu. Nearby Kaimanawa Forest Park offers hunting and tramping, or take a walk around Lake Rotopounamu to see stunning scenery and tuneful birdlife.

Psst! Halfway between Tūrangi and Taupō, on the lake's east side, Bulli Point is the perfect rock-jumping spot, with deep water and several ledges of varying heights to leap from.

Tongariro River

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Ruapehu: Land of Ice & Fire

TWO NATIONAL PARKS, ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S FINEST WALKS, THREE SKI AREAS AND AN INFINITE AMOUNT OF REASONS TO VISIT. WELCOME TO RUAPEHU.

Some of the purest natural beauty in New Zealand is found in Ruapehu’s two national parks – the UNESCO Dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park and Whanganui National Park.

Summer is THE month for tackling the renowned Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the country’s best one-day walk. Allow eight hours to tick this 20km mixed terrain walk off your list, and yes, the Emerald Lakes are worth every bun-burning step of the ‘Devil’s Staircase’.

In winter, ski or snowboard down a volcano. There are three ski areas to test your skills: Whakapapa, Tūroa and Tukino. In spring, cycle The Timber Trail or take the scenic chair lift up Mt Ruapehu. If it’s raining during your visit, stay dry at Waiouru’s National Army Museum.

Distinctly different, but just as impressive, the Whanganui National Park’s gorges, sheer papa (clay) cliffs and waterfalls are accessible on foot, mountain bike, kayak or jet boat. The Whanganui Journey is one of New Zealand’s great walks (even though it’s a kayak trip) and it’s well worth taking the trip to the famous Bridge to Nowhere, which can be reached by jet boat, a short hike or mountain bike. ‐

Skiing on Tūroa

Visit Ruapehu

Taumarunui

Taumarunui, meeting place of the Whanganui and Ōngarue rivers, is an important place in Māori history, once providing important waka transport routes. Taumarunui is known for its farming, trout fishing, railway and forestry history, and is becoming more well known for the Forgotten World Adventures Rail Carts, The Timber Trail cycleway and adventures on the Whanganui River. It is also the northern gateway to the Tongariro National Park and many stunning walks and hikes.

Forgotten World Adventure, Taumaranui

Ruapehu Tourism

ABOVE MAIN IMAGE: Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter © Ruapehu Tourism