Ruapehu

The high-altitude plateau setting of the Ruapehu region is a breathtaking location for a myriad of outdoor adventures.

Explore the ski areas of Mt Ruapehu and Tongariro National Park, with its native forest, rugged hillsides and white-water rivers, and visit small towns like Ohakune, Waiouru, National Park Village and Whakapapa. Though the Ruapehu region is popular with visitors all year round, during winter the small towns really buzz as skiers and snowboarders arrive to play on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu at Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas.

DO IT. Ski on a volcano during winter, visit the National Army Museum, go flight-seeing over Mt Ruapehu, dine at Bayview Chateau Tongariro, go white-water rafting in Tongariro National Park, brave the 42 Traverse mountain bike trail.

Destinations

National Park Village Offering great views of the three volcanoes.
Ohakune Wintertime ski resort and home of the ‘Big Carrot’.
Waiouru Home to the National Army Museum.
Whakapapa Village Enjoying a spectacular setting at the base of Mt Ruapehu.

Getting there and around

Air The nearest airport is Taupo Airport, which offers domestic flights to and from Auckland and Wellington. International flights are not available. The nearest international airport is in Auckland.
Road Ruapehu is in the central North Island, midway between Auckland and Wellington, on the southern shore of Lake Taupo. Whakapapa Village is 5 hours, 30 minutes by road from Auckland and 4 hours, 55 minutes from Wellington. Scheduled coach services and shuttle services operate between central Taupo, Mt Ruapehu and popular visitor activities.

A first for conservation

In September 1887, Te Heuheu Tukino IV (Horonuku), the Paramount Chief of local Maori tribe Ngati Tuwharetoa, gifted the peaks of Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe to the people of New Zealand, making Tongariro the nation’s first national park.