The Tongariro National Park is located in the center of New Zealand’s North Island and is the oldest national park in the country. Established in 1887, this park was actually a gift from the local Maori tribe of the area, who wanted to preserve this land because of its deep spiritual significance. This park is certainly the most stunning in New Zealand’s national park system and can be seen in the blockbuster trilogy Lord of the Rings, in which Mount Tongariro acts as Mordor.

Recognized by UNESCO as one of the 24 diverse cultural and natural World Heritage Sites, the Tongariro National Park was the fourth national park in the world to be established. Here you can find the three active volcanoes of Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Tongariro all of which lie in the centre of the park.

Covering a total land area of 79598 km², this park sits some 330 km south of Auckland and 320 km north of Wellington. Situated a few kilometers west-southwest of Lake Taupo, to the east of the park is the Kaimanawa Range, while on the west is the Whanganui River. Much of this park is located in the Ruapehu District.

If you are planning on visiting the Tongariro National Park, the visitor center here is located in Whakapapa, a village on the northwestern end of the park. Here you will get lots of information as well as maps that will help you tour this park better and see all that needs to be seen.

The most popular activities in this park are tramping and climbing in the summer, while in the winter, you will find some excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities. Mountain biking, game fishing, hunting, horseback riding, scenic flights and rafting can also be enjoyed inside the Tongariro National Park.

If you are interested in going tramping here, the Tongariro Northern Circuit is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Your journey starts and ends in the village of Whakapapa, as you cross the Tongariro Crossing and walk past Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro. The Tongariro Crossing is one of the best one day walks in New Zealand as you pass by some magnificent views along the way. A relatively easy walking track, it takes around 6 to 7 hours to complete if you are in good physical condition.