Plan & prepare
See also:
See a schematic map of the area showing the highways that provide acess to the national park: All roads lead to Tongariro National Park
On top of Tongariro with Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu in background. Photo: Jimmy Johnson.
Weather conditions in Tongariro
National Park can change from glorious
to miserable in a few hours so always
travel equipped and prepared for
weather change
Getting there
This 79598-hectare park is located in the central North Island. The nearest towns are Turangi, National Park and Ohakune. The small village of Whakapapa is located within the park.
All roads lead to Tongariro National Park:
- Roads surround the park and lead in to key access points and the skifields.
- The main trunk railway runs through the townships of National Park and Ohakune.
- A number of daily flights operate into and out of Taupo Airport.
- Sightseeing and regular flights operate from Taupo, Turangi and Mt. Ruapehu airstrips.
- Regular bus services also run to Ohakune, National Park and Turangi.
- A variety of shuttle services run to Whakapapa from the nearby towns.
Several seasonal transport operators provide transport to some road ends in the park.
Weather conditions in Tongariro
National Park can change from glorious
to miserable in a few hours so always
travel equipped and prepared for
weather change
Before you set out walking ...
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
- Make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared:
- Your group should have a capable leader and everyone must carry a sleeping bag, sufficient high energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof raincoat and overtrousers, gloves, a hat, and several layers of warm (wool or fleece) clothing.
- Take suncream and sunglasses, summer or winter.
- Your group will also need a first aid kit, portable stove, fuel, cooking utensils and a map and compass (along with someone who knows how to use them).
- Boots are the recommended footwear.
- In winter specialised mountaineering equipment will also be needed.
- Please check at the visitor centre for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions.
- During and after heavy snow falls avalanches are possible. Check out the avalanche forecast before setting out on high level trips in snow conditions.
back to top