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Ruapehu Things to Do

Ruapehu is a district in the North Island of New Zealand, home to the Tongariro National Park with Mount Ruapehu, the Tongariro Crossing and the Whakapapa Ski Field.

Tongariro National Park

The Tonariro Alpine Crossing in Ruapehu, New Zealand. Copyright: Camilla Rutherford

The Tongariro National Park is a volcanic world heritage park and the first national park to be established in New Zealand.

The Tongariro Crossing is renowned as a one-day hike located in the Tongariro National Park. The Tongariro Crossing passes over varied and spectacular volcanic terrain, from alpine meadow to mountain summit with stunning volcanic features along the way. It crosses a lunar landscape of craters, scattered pumice, coloured lakes, piles of scoria and statue-like mounds of volcanic rock.

As well as the Tongariro Crossing, there are a number of scenic hiking trails in and around Tongariro National Park. Follow the hiking trails around mountain contours or meandering streams, and discover amazing landforms, volcanoes and ecosystems.

For more information see www.doc.govt.nz

The Bridge to Nowhere

The Bridge to Nowhere is a concrete road bridge built across the Mangapurua Gorge, spanning the Mangapurua Stream, in the Whanganui National Park.

The bridge was built to provide access to an area where pioneering farmers were trying to build a living. The intention was to eventually build a road to the settlement, but the area proved to be so remote and unsuitable for farming that the settlers left and the farms reverted to native bush.

All that remains today is the bridge. The bridge is accessible by boat and then by walking track.

Ride The Raurimu Spiral

The Raurimu Spiral is a single-track railway spiral built to negotiate a 215 metre escarpment on the North Island Main Trunk Railway. An internationally recognised engineering achievement, the railway attractis enthusiasts from all over the world.

You can ride the Raurimu Spiral, either on scheduled services or on regular vintage steam train excursions.

Ski an Active Volcano

Snow covered peaks of Mt Ruapehu. Copyright: Penny Egleton

Mount Ruapehu is an active volcanoe with two of New Zealand's most developed ski areas - Whakapapa Ski Field and Turoa Ski Field.

Whakapapa is New Zealand's biggest and busiest ski area with a total of 24 lifts and 43 runs.

Turoa is called "The Giant" and offers 400 hectares of skiing and 11 lifts.

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