Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park, located in the central highlands of New Zealand’s North Island, is the country’s oldest national park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site. It protects the three active volcanoes Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu, which are of great spiritual significance to the Māori. Its dramatic volcanic landscape of crater lakes, lava fields, and steaming vents is among New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered one of the world’s finest day hikes, passing steaming craters and the vivid Emerald Lakes. The near-perfect cone of Mount Ngauruhoe became famous as the filming location for Mount Doom in “The Lord of the Rings”. In winter, the Whakapapa and Tūroa ski areas on Mount Ruapehu attract skiers and snowboarders from across the country.