• The Iconic Chateau Tongariro• Skotel (a good mid-range and backpacker option)• Whakapapa Holiday Park (tent sites, camper vans, backpacker and private cabin accommodations). In a bid to improve people’s enjoyment of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Department of Conservation (DOC) is urging people planning to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing this summer to use shuttle services from the local towns around Tongariro National Park. Find out how to get to Tongariro National Park. State highways surround the park and lead to key access points. National Park Shuttles. There is now a new shuttle car park at the end of the Crossing on Ketetahi Road, multiple companies offer parking and shuttles to the start of the Crossing from here. It's about a 4.5 hour drive from Auckland, or a 3.5 hour drive from Wellington. Check out a 3-day Tongariro Trekker tour from Auckland! Home to serene lakes and powerful rivers cutting through the volcanic landscapes, New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park is widely considered the jewel in the North Island’s crown. Tours - One of the easiest ways to experience the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the rest of North Island is by joining a tour from Auckland. Answer 1 of 4: Hi, Please advise how to take a shuttle or bus from Turangi to National Park Villege on November ? These drive times are to Whakapapa village, where the main visitor centre and entry point into the national park. Help us improve the DOC website on mobile in less than 5 min. Things to Do in Tongariro National Park, Manawatu-Wanganui Region: See Tripadvisor's 11,666 traveller reviews and photos of Tongariro National Park attractions. Alternatively, you can take the taxi to Tongariro National Park. Check out our other blog posts about the Crossing! The nearest towns are Turangi, National Park and Ohakune. Ideal for travellers short on time, this morning or afternoon half-day tour takes in some of the park… Two – Park at the end of the Tongariro Crossing in the morning and then catch a shuttle to the start to begin hiking.This is a popular option as it allows you to finish the hike and then continue on to your next destination without having to wait for a shuttle and gives you the option of storing the luggage you don't take on the Crossing in your car while hiking. Start of the Tonagriro Alpine Crossing: Mangatepopo CarparkEnd of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Ketetahi Carpark. Sound out Colin who contributes to the NZ forums. There are several accommodation options available in National Park Village, so it's best to have a browse and decide for yourself! Check out the 3-day Tongariro Trekker tour that includes the Waitomo Caves, Tongariro Crossing, Taupo, Huka Falls, Hot pools and more! However, you can take the bus to Taupo, take the bus to Turangi, then take the taxi to Tongariro National Park. There are also sightseeing flights available from Taupo, Tūrangi and Mt Ruapehu airstrips. Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tongariro-national-park/getting-there/. The small village of Whakapapa is located within the park. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. If taxi, how much is it ? More details. Flights to Tongariro National Park: You can’t fly to directly to Tongariro, the nearest airports are Taupo (1.5 hours, 105km / 60 miles), Whanganui (2 hours 145km / 90 miles) and Palmerston North (3 hours, 215 km / 135 miles). Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand on Tripadvisor: See 11,688 traveller reviews and photos of Tongariro National Park tourist attractions. To the north, you'll find Taupo, a bustling tourist town on Lake Taupo. With wide-open spaces, some of the best hikes in the world and must-see natural wonders, Tongariro National Park is the perfect destination for families, couples and explorers seeking adventure, fun and an escape into nature. This is a slightly more round-about way of getting between the two places, but taking the bus means you can enjoy the views without having to worry about driving. Tongariro National Park is located in the central North Island. Many people choose this option as it is a hassle-free way to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, not only will you have an experienced local guide, but you can choose a tour that explores other regions of the North Island at the same time. In 1894, it became New Zealand’s first national park, thanks to the generosity of the Ngati Tuwharetoa people. How to prepare for the Crossing and what to pack. Bus operators. Please note that the carpark operation is seasonal and weather dependent, so be sure to check with them closer to the time, bookings are essential – see the different options for shuttles. The nearest towns are Taumarunui, National Park Village, Ohakune and Tūrangi. It has been acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site of mixed cultural and natural values. The are several shuttle operators who will collect you from Turangi to transport you to National Park village for your Crossing hike. However, you can take the bus to 118 Heuheu St, take the walk to Taupo, take the bus to Turangi, then take the taxi to Tongariro National Park. Its prime location in the centre of the north island makes it easily accessible by all means of transport. InterCity Coachlines. Tongariro National Park holds dual UNESCO World Heritage Site status that recognises its Maori cultural and spiritual significance as well as its outstanding natural landscape.. We have reviews of the best places to see in Tongariro National Park. • How hard is the Tongariro Crossing? Tongariro National Park is located in the central North Island. By road - It usually takes around four hours (without stops) to reach the Tongariro National Park from both Auckland and Wellington, there are several nearby towns and places to stay, read below for more info! Have a look at the official local website to explore the different accommodation options.Ohakune• Driving time from Auckland: 4h20m – 5h• Driving time to start of the Crossing: 45 minutesOhakune is located on the southern edge of the Tongariro National Park (the Tongariro Crossing is near the northern end), so it takes a little longer to get here from Auckland and longer to get to the start of the Crossing but can be well worth it. Train - The Northern Explorer train travels between Auckland and Wellington with stops at both National Park Village and Ohakune. Bus operators. Get to Mangatepopo car park take Mangatepopo Road off State Highway 47 for 7km to the car park. Check out a 3-day Tongariro Trekker tour from Auckland! Find all the transport options for your trip from Tongariro National Park to Wellington right here. The nearest towns are Taumarunui, National Park Village, Ohakune and Tūrangi. There is no direct connection from Napier to Tongariro National Park. How long does it take to get from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park? Turangi• Driving time from Auckland: 3h50m – 4h30m• Driving time to start of the Crossing: 40 minutesTurangi is situated between the Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo so it can make for a great staging point if you are doing a few different activities in the area, in particular, it is also a popular destination for trout fishing with many fantastic fishing spots nearby. Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox, Auckland to Whakapapa: 340 km, 4 hr 30 min - 5 hr, Wellington to Whakapapa: 330 km, 4 hr 30 min - 5 hr, Rotorua to Whakapapa: 180 km, 2 hr - 2 hr 30 min, Taumarunui to Tongariro National Park: 63.6 km, 51 min. Getting to the beginning of the hike has changed a bit in recent years, as there is a four-hour parking limit between Labour Weekend (October) and the 30th April in the DOC carparks at both Mangatepopo and Ketetahi. Three – Catch a shuttle from your accommodation to the start of the hike, then a return shuttle at the end of the hike.The other option is to catch a shuttle to the start, and from the end of the Crossing once you are finished, some accommodation operators will provide a shuttle and there are many licensed operators in the area to choose from. This is designed so you cannot leave a car parked while you hike the Crossing and must catch a shuttle to do the Tongariro Crossing, there are three main ways to go about this: One – Join a tour that includes a guided hike of the Tongariro Alpine CrossingThis can be one of the best ways to enjoy the Crossing, some multi-day tours from Auckland include everything, accommodation, transport, meals, guides, other activities, and more. Home to three active volcanic mountains, and iconic and majestic landscapes, Tongariro National Park has attracted adventurers of all ages since 1887. The train runs three days per week going south and three days per week going north. Rome2rio makes travelling from Palmerston North to Tongariro National Park easy. National Park Village• Driving time from Auckland: 3h50m – 4h30m• Driving time to start of the Crossing: 25 minutesNational Park Village is right on state highway 4 and easily accessible by bus and train, while still being close to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Am I fit enough to hike it? Tongariro National Park How to Get Around: Check out Viator's reviews and photos of Tongariro National Park tours For local information, see the Visit Ruapehu website and the National Park Village website. Taupo• Driving time from Auckland: 3h10m – 4h• Driving time to start of the Crossing: 1h20m Taupo is the furthest away from the start of the Tongariro Crossing but can be reached by sticking to State Highway 1 all the way from Auckland, it's also the largest town in the region and very central to surrounding locations like Rotorua, Hobbiton and the Tongariro National Park. • Driving time from Auckland: 4h10m – 4h40m • Driving time to start of the Crossing: 20 minutes Whakapapa Village is nestled against the base of Mount Ruapehu, the North Islands tallest mountain, surrounded by beautiful beech forests and offered some fantastic short walks and a gateway to Whakapapa ski field, it's also the closest township to the start of the Tongariro Crossing, so you only have a quick trip to the beginning of the hike. It is easily accessed by road, and is only a 4-5 hour drive from either Auckland or Wellington. To the NZ forums, you can take the bus to Turangi, then take taxi... 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