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volcanic plateau
Welcome to moonscape country in
the molten volcanic heart of the North Island.
Here you can experience the delights of Mt Ruapehu, New
Zealand’s largest active volcano, which last erupted in
1996.
You can tramp, climb and ski on the mystical lunar landscapes of
Tongariro National Park. You can also discover life in deep lava
caves, and explore ancient forests, red craters, emerald lakes
and brooding volcanoes.
Rising out of the sparkling snowfields, rock-strewn slopes and
windswept tussock plains is one of New Zealand’s most famous
recreational river systems. The Tongariro is the main river
flowing into Lake Taupo. It is both a renowned rainbow trout
fishery and a mecca for rafting and kayaking enthusiasts. The
most popular run is a 3 hour, Grade 3, full-on rafting experience
through 60 rapids on the Lower Tongariro. The put in is at the
Poutu water intake on the Waikato Falls Road and the take out is
on the true left bank of the Red Hut Pool.
The Whakapapa River rises on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu and tumbles
along a rocky bed to join the Whanganui. The 8 km section down
from Owhango on S.H.4 is a particularly enjoyable Grade 2 boulder
bed run in above average flows.
The Manganui-a-te-ao River has beautiful scenery, clear water,
great standing waves and stoppers and is unaffected by the
extensive hydro schemes of the Volcanic Plateau. It is a
tributary of the Whanganui, which it joins 12 km above Pipiriki.
Access is gained off S.H.4 from Raetihi through Orautoha. A
popular run is from Myers Bridge above the confluence with the
Orautoha Stream. At above average flows there are lively Grade 2
rapids interspersed with pools. The take out is the Ruatiti
Domain by a concrete bridge. From here there is an option to
paddle to Makahi through good Grade 2 rapids and then through the
slower moving papa clay gorge to the Whanganui River and on to
Pipiriki.
A commercial river rafting company is based in Turangi township
and several Auckland companies raft the Tongariro.
If you are seeking challenging whitewater adventure this region
can deliver, with the added bonus of weird and wonderful
moonscape features and isolated sheer-sided, moss-covered gorges.
It’s 100% pure adventure in Middle Earth.
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