Ruapehu Attractions
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.
The Tongariro Crossing
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.
For more information see www.doc.govt.nz
Tongariro National Park
The Tongariro National Park is a volcanic world heritage park and the first national park to be established in New Zealand.
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.
Did you Know?
New Zealand has more flightless bird species than any other place on earth.
