Manawatu-Wanganui Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)

Tongariro Alpine Crossing is just sounreal 😍

#christmastrip The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand is a trekking like no other, a visual feast of volcanic landscapes and surreal vistas. It’s also my number 1 favorite hike on the north island of New Zealand ! Here are the top five things to do and see along this awe-inspiring trail: Emerald Lakes Marvel: Witness the Emerald Lakes, a trio of vibrant, mineral-rich pools nestled in the volcanic terrain. Their striking turquoise hues against the stark landscape create a surreal tableau, making it a highlight of the journey. Red Crater Summit: Ascend to the summit of the Red Crater for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Tongariro landscape. The juxtaposition of the crimson-hued crater against the emerald lakes and surrounding mountains is a visual spectacle that defines the trek. Soda Springs and Taranaki Falls: Delight in the smaller wonders along the trail. Stop at Soda Springs, a bubbling stream in an alpine meadow, and continue to Taranaki Falls for a refreshing waterfall experience amidst the volcanic terrain. Ngauruhoe Ascent: For the adventurous, the optional side trek to the summit of Mount Ngauruhoe offers a thrilling challenge. The panoramic views from the top, including glimpses of Mount Ruapehu, reward those who conquer this iconic volcanic . South Crater Stroll: Take a moment to traverse the expansive South Crater, a vast, otherworldly plateau surrounded by volcanic peaks. The sense of space and solitude in this desolate yet captivating landscape is a unique facet of the crossing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is an exhilarating journey through an ever-changing volcanic canvas, where each step reveals the raw beauty and geological wonders of New Zealand's North Island

Hiking at Tongariro Alpine Crossing

#fallishere Amazing views of the spectacular blue lake and we stopped alot of times along the way to take lots of pictures and took a good few breaks to eat food. The start is pretty easy and you can walk fast. On your way you see beautiful and picturesque landscapes. The craters, lakes and mountains were absolutely stunning. We took about 6-7 hrs with stops from start to finish so take enough water,snacks and sun protection with you. A really beautiful walk to see the bright blue crater lakes and volcanoes.

Thankful for amazing hike@ Tongariro Crossing

New Zealand is one of the best places for hiking because of the amazing views the place has to offer. And the Tongariro Crossing as shown in this photo, is a must do hike, if you’re up to some fun and exciting hike in the North Island! The trail offers beautiful sceneries no matter which spot you are at, made up by the natural landscape and the clean environment. And we should never take the clean part for granted! Its a place which is really crowded with tourists, and it takes everyone to play a part in making sure they do not leave any carbon footprint behind, like throwing their food wrappers, bottled water etc. Like for us, we packed our food in food containers, bought a trash bag along with us to keep all the waste. Leave no trails behind and we will get to enjoy these beautiful hikes, every single time! ☺️ #greentrip #greenliving

What is Tongariro

Tongariro is actually the oldest national park in New Zealand, and it was only the 6th in the world to be established.It was created in 1887 and now holds dual world heritage status, recognizing both its significance in Maori culture and religion, as well as its diverse and dramatic volcanic landscape. The park covers 80,000 hectares of land, which is 796 square kilometers (307 square miles).However, you’ll find glaciers, ancient lava flows, rivers, cascading waterfalls, alpine lakes, and even ski fields here.This striking and widely varied landscape is why Tongariro National Park was chosen as a filming location for several of the Lord of the Rings movies. In fact, Mount Ngauruhoe was actually used for Mount Doom in the film (with some digital alterations, of course). Meanwhile, among other locations, Mount Ruapehu was the setting for Emyn Muil and two waterfalls were used for Gollum’s Pool. New Zealand is celebrated for its natural beauty, adventurous outdoor activities, and Maori culture – you’ll find all that (and much more!) when you visit Tongariro National Park.#awesomepic #couplestrip #mytripvlog #nationalpark #bucketlistreboot #2023travelwish #2023travelwish #newzealand #newzealandtravel #trekking

The Unforgettable Tongariro Alpine Crossing!

If you’re feeling adventurous and looking for the best thing to do on North Island, New Zealand, then the Mount Tongariro National Park is waiting for you! Within the National Park, there are several routes to take, but the most popular one is the Day Hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing! With an average of 8 hours to complete the hike, it’s definitely not a stroll in a park, especially for a person like me who has zero experience in hiking and Low/moderate fitness level. If you are someone like me, a suggestion is to reach early and take it slow, so you can hike at a comfortable pace and not ending it off too late! There are several vantage point such as Emerald Lake and Red Crater, but words can never describe how phenomenal the whole place look! If you’re a lord of the ring fan, you can even catch “Mount Doom” here as it was shot with one of the mountain here! A true amazing experience that everyone has to try at least once in their lifetime! Getting here: From my experience, it’s best to look in their official website for the most updated information as their carpark and bus schedules do change from time to time! #nationalpark #hiking #scenicspotguide #newzealand #travelinspiration

Moments at Tongariro National Park, NZ

Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage area. This status recognises the park's important Māori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features. Tongariro National Park is one of three World Heritage sites in New Zealand. The other two are Te Wahipounamu in the South Island, and the Sub Antarctic Islands. Te Wahipounamu is a massive area covering the south west of the South Island, and containing Fiordland, Westland, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring National Parks. The mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and spiritual significance to Ngāti Tuwharetoa and symbolise the spiritual links between this community and their environment. Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro is the guardian hapū (sub-tribe) of Ngāti Tuwharetoa as the hau kāinga (true people of the homeland) for the Tongariro territory. Their continued existence in this environment ensures the cultural, spiritual and environmental values are protected and shared with all those that encounter this dynamic landscape. The park has active volcanoes, a diverse range of ecosystems and some remarkable landscapes - each deeply enriched with stories of the hau kāinga and the significance to their people. #travelinspiration #unforgettableexperiences #scenicspotguide #couplestrip #awesomepic #historicculture #beautifulsunsets #naturalwonders #hiking #nationalpark #lakes #travelinspiration#unforgettableexperiences#scenicspotguide#awesomepic#couplestrip#historicculture#beautifulsunsets#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders#hiking#nationalpark#lakes

The highlight of my life!! NZ Tongariro crossing

The tongariro crossing was honestly incredible. You get the chance to hike up an active volcano, It was around a 10 hour hike. The hike is not easy but the views you have along the way are breathtaking and 100% worth it. Once you get to the top you realise what you have achieved and everything feels so surreal! #newzealand #newzealandtravel #Hiking #Volcano #Tongarirocrossing #Travel

Journey of Purity: Exploring Pureora Forest Park

Dear traveler, as your tour guide, today I will take you to a hidden gem in New Zealand - Pureora Forest Park. This well-preserved forest is a dreamland for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Upon entering Pureora Forest Park, the first thing that comes into view is the vast primitive forest, which houses some of the oldest trees in the world. The towering kauri and pine trees form a natural barrier, providing a habitat for countless wild animals and rare birds. Here, you can get a close-up feel of the charm of New Zealand's unique ecosystem. Hiking trails in Pureora Forest Park are spread throughout the area, suitable for travelers of all fitness levels. I particularly recommend trying the Timber Trail, a famous hiking and mountain biking trail that crosses charming forests and historic railway bridges, and is an excellent way to experience the natural beauty of the park. Along the way, you can stop at viewpoints to enjoy the spectacular scenery. To experience Pureora's nature more deeply, you can choose to spend the night at a campsite in the park. Falling asleep under the starry sky at night will be an unforgettable experience. However, remember to abide by the park regulations and protect this precious natural heritage. Here, whether it's the birdsong and flowers in spring, the dense shade in summer, the fallen leaves in autumn, or the quiet and peaceful winter, each season has its unique charm. Especially in the colder seasons, the wind from the south brings fresh air, but it may also be accompanied by cold. Therefore, I suggest you dress appropriately to adapt to the variable climate in northern New Zealand. Finally, as your guide, I want to remind you: when exploring Pureora Forest Park, please respect this land and all life on it. This is not just a trip, but a spiritual baptism, making us cherish our common home, the earth.

Taupo in New Zealand is worth admiring

2-3 Brother Yong's family is traveling in the North Island of New Zealand Our North Island trip in New Zealand started from Rotorua, and today we drove to the famous Taupo. Along the way, we were attracted by the beautiful scenery of the Lava Glass Art Museum. Not only does the museum have live glass craft demonstrations, but it also has a garden made up of flowers made of glass, which is beautiful. Although a fee is required for the visit, the price of 70 New Zealand dollars is reasonable for the three of us. The next stop of the journey is the honey factory, where Manuka honey is the main product, and the process of bees collecting honey is also shown to us. Afterwards, we arrived at Huka Falls, where the waterfall was rushing, and water activities such as speedboats and waterfall sightseeing boats made us excited. The most exciting thing is that we have arranged a helicopter tour of Mount Tongariro for the next day at the helicopter booking center. Although the price of 998 New Zealand dollars per person is not cheap, we are looking forward to the one and a half hour flight experience. Mountain biking activities popular in Huka Falls and Taupo area are also in our plan. We can't wait to explore more beautiful scenery in this area.

See the Tongariro Mountain from the drone (the Doomsday volcano in the movie Lord of the Rings)

Tonga is in the easternmost part of the earth, and here is the place to bathe the first sunshine of the new year. In this beautiful country, there is a refreshing wind in the mountains, there are golden bushes on the beach, and there are dolls selling on the road... this is the gentle nuku alofa! So the original ecological beauty, rent a car that is not old-fashioned, free to gallop, all the way is a feast of a small fresh lifestyle. Our first stop is to worship a famous stone Tsunami Rock, which is said to be recorded, the largest stone left by the tsunami, there is no larger stone wreck on this planet. Now! It really is a piece of its huge stone, and there are many trees growing on it. If the hands and feet are flexible, you can even climb up directly like me! It is not a difficult thing for me to climb such a big stone. On that I thought I saw a more magnificent and more magnificent sea.

Skotel Alpine Resort is the highest hotel in New Zealand and one of the only two hotels in the Tongariro National Park. Because it is a hostel style, the price is much better than the castle hotel next door. It is also very popular among many young people. Landing. The hotel is in a very good location, next to the popular Taranaki Falls Taranaki Falls trail, and you can look up at the snowy mountains in the backyard of the hotel. And if you want to take a day trip through the attractions of the National Park, the hotel can also arrange a shuttle bus and provide rental of hiking equipment.