Central North Island

Diversity is the key phrase here, 6 forest parks, 3 National Parks, Lakes, Caves, beaches. and the nearest thing we've got to a desert. It's all here, something for all seasons too, water sports, the great outdoors, ski fields and underground experiences, thermal activity, vineyards and cultural displays.

Tongariro National Park is the second oldest National Park in the World second only to Yellowstone National Park in the USA.

Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Ruapehu dominate the landscape, often obscured by cloud, and capped with snow. There's no mistaking the classic volcanic cone of Ngauruhoe, with the other two looking a little more mountain like. Ruapehu has been recently active and is in no way regarded as dormant. Eruptions in consecutive winters of 1995 and 1996 caused major financial woes for ski operators on the mountain slopes and caused ash clouds which closed airports around the Bay of Plenty.

The Tongariro Crossing is a walk which traverses the mountain, taking you high into the cratered peak. It takes several hours and is challenging in parts but can be achieved by a person of average fitness. This is not a loop track and commercial transport is available to drop off and pick up.

There is a visitors centre located near the Château Tongariro with information on all the walking options in the park.

The base of the volcanoes is surrounded by a barren landscape not yet regenerated after volcanic activity. This area is bordered by state highway 1 known in this section as the Desert Road.

Famous Lakes and Caves

Lake Taupo is famous for it's abundant Trout and mans pursuit thereof. Take a trip on the Lake, fish or not, visit the mighty Huka Falls, and the Trout Hatchery near Turangi.

Taupo at the north eastern corner of the lake is a popular resort, with many north islanders owning holiday homes there. Tourism based around the lake, nearby Tongariro National Park, and the development of industries such as logging has seen Taupo increase dramatically both in size and visitor numbers in recent times. The town has an air of newness about it as opposed the more historic Rotorua. Turangi at the southern end of the lake is another popular location for lake based activities such as fishing, charters, cruises and is central to a variety of interesting walks. Handily located for access to the Tongariro National Park with it’s mountain activities such as hiking, including the famous Tongariro Crossing and for winter activities such as skiing, being only 40 minutes from Whakapapa and a further 20 minutes to Turoa. Ohakune is a small population centre located to the south of the National Park. The small town services visitors to the area and is popular during the ski season as well as for the numerous summer activities.

Waitomo Caves, west between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti

The Waitomo Caves are a group of limestone caverns in a region known for its adventures and interesting landscapes. Two caves the Waitomo and the Aranui are open to visitors. The Waitomo cave is renowned for its Glow Worm Grotto Both caves feature extensive limestone formations. A third cave, Ruakuri, offers “Black water rafting”. In addition to the caves and often less visited are the features along the road out to Morokopa and Kiritehere Beach. Recommend if you have the time, driving down this road to see the following:

Mangapohue Natural Bridge.

Piripiri Caves, you need a torch (flashlight) for exploring here, not commercial and worth a visit.

Marokopa Falls........this is as far as you need go toward the coast.

Forest Parks

Pirongia Forest Park, south west of Hamilton

Centered around Mount Pirongia, an old volcanic cone, this area has a diverse mix of vegetation types.

Pureora Forest Park, north west of Lake Taupo

Logging roads provide access to the area which caters to walkers, hunters and birdwatchers.

Whirinaki Forest Park, between lakes Taupo and Waikaremoana.
Comprising mostly native forest with some fine examples of ancient podocarp trees. There are walking trails and interpretive panels.

Kaimanawa Forest Park, south of Lake Taupo.

The Waipakihi and Oamuru Rivers provide good tramping routes through the area. It has tussock grasslands above the tree line. The Kaimanawa Mountains peak at around 1700m.
 

A SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES IN THIS REGION

Lake Taupo & Tongariro   Turangi   Tirau/Putaruru     Hamilton / Cambridge / Matamata
Te Kauwhata/Rangiriri   Huntly/Ngaruawahia   Te Awamutu   Waitomo / Otorohanga

Lake Taupo & Tongariro

Whirinaki Rainforest Walks ex Taupo
Experience the wonders of the Whirinaki Forest on this one day guided walk. Arguably the best remnant of New Zealand podocarp forest remaining.
Website: Whirinaki Guided Walk

Tongariro Crossing 1 day walk - self Guided
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track passes over varied and spectacular volcanic terrain. In the presence of active volcanoes you can experience some of Tongariro National Park’s special gifts. A cold mountain spring, lava flows, an active crater, steam vents, emerald-coloured lakes and magnificent views combine to make this an enjoyable and memorable trip

Mountainair Fixed wing flights over the central volcanic plateau with Mountain Air ex Turangi (south of Lake Taupo) or Chateau airport (at Tongariro National Park) Book ahead on the day.
Phone: Freephone in NZ:0800 922 812
Fax: +64 (07) 892 2703
Website: www.mountainair.co.nz 
e-mail: mountain.air@xtra.co.nz

Helistar Helicopter Flights (Recommended!) over the central volcanic plateau, Lake Taupo, Huka Falls etc, various options with Helistar Helicopters, Huka Falls Road, Wairakei Tourist Park, Taupo, book ahead on the day.
Phone: Freephone in NZ:0800 554 422
Phone: +64 (07) 374 8405
Fax: +64 (07) 374 8406
Website: www.helistar.co.nz 
e-mail: info@helistar.co.nz

Jet Boat rides with Huka Jet, book ahead the day before.
Phone: Freephone in NZ:0800 4852 538

River Rafting, options including gentle family floats through to raging whitewater adventures, book ahead the day before with Tongariro River Rafting, at Turangi (south of Lake Taupo)
Freephone in NZ:0800 101 024
Phone: +64(07) 386 6409
Fax:+64 (07) 386 6445
e-mail: info@trr.co.nz 
Website: www.trr.co.nz

Fly Fishing Guides Taupo. Fish the crystal clear streams of the central north island with knowledgeable and experienced guides
Website: www.taupoflyfishing.com 

 Turangi

Walks

Pukawa to Omori, 1 hr 20 mins (one way) return via same track, a walk through bush along edge of Lake Taupo, finishing at a picnic area and shingle beach at Omori reserve. Track starts off Kaiuru Avenue in Pukawa Village (15 mins drive NW of Turangi)

Pukawa Bush Walk 45 mins loop track, begins Hauraki Terrace off Pukawa Road. Through bush above the village of Pukawa. Native bush and forest featuring native birdlife.

Tokaanu Thermal Walk 20 mins loop track, begins Tokaanu Thermal Pools Complex (6km NW of Turangi). short walk featuring steaming mineral pools and bubbling mud.

Te Porere Redoubt, 2.5km, 45mins (one way) return by same track, 25km from Turangi off road to Whakapapa. Site of the last major battle of the New Zealand Wars 1869. An earthworks fortification built by Te Kooti and his followers, now preserved as an historic site.

Tongariro River Walkway 3hrs (one way) return by same track. Begins Major Jones Footbridge, Koura Street, Turangi. or Red Hut footbridge 5kms south off SH1. Follows the banks of the Tongariro River, passes through some native bush and skirts farmland. Watch for trout in stream and mountain bikers on the track.

Mountain Biking: Tongariro River Walkway Track is open to mountain bikes, please be considerate of walkers.

Fishing: Turangi lies in the heart of the Taupo fishing district, situated on the Tongariro River. Internationally famous, the river has been fished by celebrities from all over the world. . The river has a turbulent flow that fish must fight to reach their spawning ground. Around 750,000 trout swim up this river each year. It has been said that anglers fishing the famous pools on this river have been knocked over by the fish as they race upstream!
Central North island waters are covered by a special licence so be sure to check you are carrying the correct one. If in doubt visit the local sports stores for advise and purchase of the correct licence.
 

Skiing:

Turangi is 45 minutes from Whakapapa, and a further 20 minutes to Turoa .Whakapapa is New Zealand largest ski area with a 550 hectares and caters for everyone from beginners to experts.
Website:: www.whakapapa.co.nz

Whakapapa Ski Area, Private Bag, Mt Ruapehu.
Phone: +64 (07) 892 3738

Snowphone/Summer Information
Phone: +64 (07) 892 3833


Transport to ski field Alpine Scenic Tours
Phone: +64 (07) 386 8918
 

Te Kauwhata/Rangiriri

Te Kauwhata has a viticulture research facility, whilst not open to the public there are several wineries in this area.

Lake Waikare, Te Kauwhata is popular for yachting and picnicking and part of the lake is a bird sanctuary.

Rangiriri (15km north of Huntley). The battle site of the 1863 conflict between Maori and Europeans with trenches still visible can be reached by a small path from the parking area on the west side of SH1. In this area also is Te Wheoro's redoubt. On a short eastern side route from SH1 is the Rangiriri Maori War and Early Settlers Cemetery, 46 British Troops killed during the battle are buries here and the cemetery has a memorial gate.

 

Huntly/Ngaruawahia

Hakarimata Trig Walk Ngaruawahia 1 1/2-2 hours one way. Starts Brownlee Avenue on western bank of Waikato River opposite Ngaruawhahia. This is the first section of a much longer (7hr) walk so do as much or as little as you like. Great views from the trig, passes through attractive native bush

Waingaro Springs. Thermal soda springs 23km west of Ngaruawahia, are open daily.
Website: http://www.waingarohotsprings.co.nz

Huntly Mining Museum, a collection of historic coal mining equipment housed in the historic society's building in 26 Harlock Place, Huntly
Website: http://www.huntly.net.nz/coalfieldsmuseum.html

 

Hamilton / Cambridge / Matamata

Paddleboat cruises on M.V. Waipa Delta, Memorial Park Jetty, Hamilton. Cruise part of New Zealand's longest river by paddleboat. Lunch, Afternoon and dinner cruises. 
Phone: (07)854 7813
Phone: Freephone in NZ: 0800 472 335
e-mail: mailto:waipadelta@xtra.co.nz
website: www.waipadelta.co.nz

The Zoo at Hamilton has the largest walk through aviary in the southern hemisphere. In the free flight sanctuary, see our New Zealand birds in a carefully landscaped environment. In the Waikato Wetlands display see our native wading and water birds. Plus a variety of native and exotic species of animal life.
Phone: +64 (07) 849 0293
Website: http://www.hamiltonzoo.co.nz

Jetboat Tours on the Waikato River - ex Cambridge
Website: http://www.camjet.co.nz 

Hobbiton Matamata Visit the film location of Hobbiton as seen in The Lord of the Rings
Website: www.hobbitontours.com

Wairere Falls. a 150m waterfall in the Kaimai Range, reached by a 20 min walk to the lookout from the road's end, a 50 minute walk to the top or a 3 hour round trip. Access to the walk off Goodwin Road, 14km NE of Matamata

NZ Horse Magic a one hour show and tour of the complex at Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge.
Phone: +64 (07) 827 8118
Website: www.racing.net.nz/cambridge 
e-mail: ctl@clear.net.nz 

Paddles Kayak Hire, Non guided Kayak trips on Waikato River Hamilton/Cambridge
Phone: (07) 853 9937
Website: http://www.kayaks4hire.co.nz 
e-mail:    info@kayaks4hire.co.nz

Chiddingfold Garden, South of Cambridge, Waikato. Visit by prior arrangement. Colour all year round. See the Californian Redwoods planted by settlers in 1873
Phone: +64 (07) 827 4294
Fax: +64 (07) 827 4394
Website: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~jsacoles/
e-mail: jsacoles@ihug.co.nz  

The Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour with Rings Scenic Tours Ltd, Matamata, is a real must-do for every The Lord of the Rings fan travelling through New Zealand, but it really is an interesting and entertaining experience for all.
Phone: +64 (0) 7 888 9913
Fax: +64 (0) 7 888 7498
Website: www.hobbitontours.com

 Te Awamutu

Te Awamutu and District Museum has a collection of artifacts relating to the Maori Wars and pioneer times.

St John's Church built 1864 is one of the oldest in the district and has magnificent coloured lead glass windows, memorial tablets and graves of both British and Maori casualties of the Waikato Wars.

Pirongia Forest Park, 20km west of Te Awamutu has a number of walking tracks leading to the summit of Mt Pirongia (959m).

Kakepuku, 8 km SW of Te Awamutu is prominent volcanic cone which has a scenic reserve and 1 1/2 hour walking track to the top (449m)

 

Waitomo / Otorohanga

Otorohanga Kiwi House (59km south of Hamilton) has a nocturnal kiwi house at the zoological gardens, as well as a walk through aviary and deer park.
Website: www.kiwihouse.org.nz 

Waitomo Caves Journey underground on a subterranean adventure at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Discover an underground labyrinth of limestone caves and formations.
Website: http://www.waitomo.com/waitomo-glowworm-caves.aspx/

Black Water Rafting, best way to see the glow worms, book ahead if you want to do this.
Phone: +64 7 878 6219,
Free Phone: 0800 228 464
e-mail: bwr@blackwaterrafting.co.nz
Website: www.blackwaterrafting.co.nz

Waitomo Adventures, abseiling and caving, described as “It’s a cross between Indiana Jones goes caving and being flushed down the toilet on a rope.”
Again book ahead, then you can dwell on it ! Warning Bungy jumping will seem tame after this.
Phone: +64 7 878 7788
Freephone: 0800 924 866
Website http://www.waitomo.co.nz

Tirau/Putaruru

Te Waihou Walkway Attractive river walk of 4.7 kilometres to the internationally acclaimed Blue Spring. Walk time 1.30 hours ( 3 hours return )
Access from Whites Road SH 28 - between SH 1 near Putaruru, and SH 5 Rotorua Rd 5 Km's from Tirau
Website: www.putaruru.co.nz

The Putaruru Timber Museum is definitely worth a visit and only a 2km drive south of Putaruru. Learn about the history of the timber milling and logging industries for the Central North Island, attractively set in 1.5 hectares of park-like grounds.
 

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