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Tongariro National Park Description: Originally a gift to Queen Victoria by the Tuwharetoa Maori chief Te Heuheu Tukino IV in 1887, Tongariro National Park was the first national park in New Zealand and the fourth oldest in the world. Since its inception, the park has grown to a size of nearly 80,000 hectares (197,688 acres). The area is of religious and cultural importance to the Maoris who first occupied the area in the ninth century when they arrived from Polynesia. In particular, they believed the region’s mountains had god-like ancestors, and the core of the park centres around three active volcanoes, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and the largest, Ruapehu, which erupted in a spectacular fashion in 1995 and again in 1996. Some areas resemble a lunar landscape, which has been created by flowing lava, alongside forests and tussock lands. It is home to many creatures native to New Zealand, including the short-tailed bat, kereru (New Zealand’s native pigeon), fantails and parakeets. Visitors to the area can ski on an active volcano, as well as hike through alpine herb fields, passing by waterfalls and emerald-coloured lakes, before reaching spectacular lookout points. The Tongariro Crossing, completed by about 70,000 hikers every summer, is considered to be one of the best one-day walks in the country, offering magnificent volcanic scenery and fine views of Lake Taupo and Mount Taranaki. Contact Addresses: Tongariro National Park, Private Bag, Mt Ruapehu 2650, New Zealand Tel: (07) 892 3814. or Tongariro/Taupo Conservancy, Private Bag, Turangi, New Zealand Tel: (07) 386 8607. Fax: (07) 386 7086. E-mail: whakapapavc@doc.govt.nz Website: www.doc.govt.nz Transportation: Air: Wellington International Airport, then Taupo Airport. Rail: Train: The main trunk railway runs through the towns of National Park and Ohakune (from Auckland and Wellington). Road: Bus: Services to Ohakune, National Park and Turangi (from Taupo, Auckland and Wellington). Shuttle services also run to Whakapapa, which is located inside the park. Car: State Hwy-1 (from Auckland in the north or from Wellington in the south). Opening Times: Park: Daily 24 hours. Whakapapa Visitor Centre: Daily 0800-1700 (winter); daily 0800-1800 (summer). Admission Fees: Free. 
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