Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's North Island
- Details
Scientific field: Volcanology
Star rating: ***
Summary description:
Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage Site and New Zealand’s first national park, is situated around three large active volcanoes. At the Whakapapa Visitor Centre, interpretative displays and audio-visual shows explain the unique volcanic history of the park and the processes that have shaped it. Additional presentations focus on the early history of the region, maori myths about the park’s volcanoes, and the spectacular local landscapes and recreational activities. Many visitors enter the park to undertake the one-day walk known as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which traverses volcanic terrain between two of the volcanoes – Mt. Ngaurahoe and Mt. Tongariro. During the course of the walk, visitors encounter various striking geological features, including solidified lava flows and lava bombs, boiling mud pools, fumaroles, steam vents, and emerald lakes (pools deeply coloured by volcanic minerals).
Location:
Central upland area of New Zealand’s north island. The Whakapapa Visitor Centre is located at the main gateway to the park, in Whakapapa village to the southwest of Mt. Ngaurahoe.
Getting there:
Whakapapa and the gateway to the park are on State Highway 48, which branches off State Highway 47 to the northwest of the park. Access is also possible via the North Island’s main trunk railway (Auckland-Wellington) getting off at either of the local townships of National Park and Ohakune, and then onward by bus.
Background:
The Visitor Centre was first established in the 1960s and was redeveloped and re-opened in March 2001. As well as the interpretative and audio-visual information about the park and its volcanoes, the centre offers maps, walk information, and weather reports. There are no particular restrictions regarding entry to or use of the National Park itself but walkers need to ensure they are adequately equipped, regarding navigation for example, and prepared for changing weather conditions.
Opening hours and charges:
The Whakapapa Visitor Centre is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm from November to March and 8 am to 5 pm from April to October. Charges for seeing the audio-visual shows are 3 NZ Dollar (Adult) 1 NZ Dollar (Child) 7 NZ Dollar (Family)
Related sites:
Giant's Causeway, Antrim, Ireland
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA