New Zealand

The Ruapehu district is located in the central North Island, midway between Auckland and Wellington. The Desert Road section of Highway 1 is the eastern boundary and scenic Highway 4 provides access to the centre of the region.

The 80,000ha Tongariro National Park (a World Heritage Area) is the centre of attraction for this district. The active volcano Mount Ruapehu dominates the landscape, rising to 2,797m from the surrounding countryside. It has Mount Ngauruhoe (also active) and Mount Tongariro to keep it company. The three volcanoes are a spectacular sight on a clear day - in the colder months they are capped in snow. Mount Ruapehu is the site of the North Island's premier ski fields - Whakapapa and Turoa. The mountain was recently chosen by movie director Peter Jackson to play Mt Doom in his 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. In summer the surrounding volcanic desert area is a wild and beautiful place for hiking, fishing and adventure activities.

To the west of the three volcanoes lies the deep green mystery of the Whanganui National Park, which is steeped in Maori and European colonial history. The Whanganui River is the main access route to the forest clad interior - jetboats and kayaks are popular modes of transport. The small townships on the riverbanks all have fascinating stories to tell. Jerusalem was once the home of James K. Baxter, one of New Zealand's most celebrated poets and an early 'alternative lifestyler'.

Ohakune - apres-ski centre for region
Taumarunui - largest town and the region's main service centre

RETURN TO CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND REGION