Tongariro National Park, Central North Island

Taupo, Waikato Region, North Island

This is one of my “ .. to live when I am old .. ” places. An amazing area, with the biggest lake in NZ , with a panoramic view to the Volcanoes of the Tongariro National park in the back and the beautiful Waikato River.

Lots of adventure sports were offered. We decided to take a plunge in the river, jumped 50 meters deep. This is New Zealands highest water touch Bungy. They forgot to take the pictures so we jumped again, for free. Yihaa!

Tongariro National park, Central North Island, NZ, November 2007

This is a place to be. We were totally impressed by the size and the high of the 3 volcano’s, they look so innocent, covered in snow they look like pie, growing out of the ground.

But they are still active and one of them, the Mt. Ruapehu, just had a hydrothermal eruption 2 weeks ago, without warning. It´s a famous ski area so a few people got hurt. He´s also the highest point of northern NZ, 2.700 m above sea level.

We took a flight with a small plane, had sunshine and the best scenic flight ever. Three volcano’s. You fly over the crater and still can see the ashes of the last eruption ! That was just WOW.
We flew with a very young pilot and just paid for 2 of the vulcanos, but because we were so nice, he flew with us over the third one as well. Very very nice!

Mt. Tongariro + Mt. Ngahruhoe

Also known as “Mt. Doom” from Peter Jackson´s “Lord of the Rings”. Isn´t he beautiful with his snow covered cone??

You can do walks around them for days, it´s the best hiking in northern NZ. We just did a few hours, walked through dark forests, bushes, caves and waterfalls.
This is definitely my favourite place on the northern Island.
Till now. :)

Chateau Tongariro, Tongariro National Park

Once it was a hospital, now it is a very luxurious hotel with the panoramic view over the volcanoes and right next to the Whakapapa Ski region.