Blogs from Tongariro National Park, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania
Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Challenging but worth it
Published: May 27th 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
April 26th 2012
So we arrived at the iSite (this is a tourist office found in most towns in NZ that gives you very helpful information or books things for you etc.) in a town called Turangi about 45 minutes from the national park. To be honest, Chantel mentioned this crossing to us and we went into the iSite thinking we would get some maps, book a campsite and go for a short jaunt the next morning. Nope, that didn’t happen. Somehow I was in there, looking at the maps/routes/weather warnings/trek advisory posters and I turned to John and pointed out there was no point coming here and doing a short walk. We might as well do the whole hog. I could see that John was no more interested in a long walk or dragging me on a long ... read more
Mordor and Mount Doom! aka Tongariro NP and then Taupo
Published: April 27th 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
April 23rd 2012
23rd April ’12 From Waitomo to Okahune and the Tongariro National Park Reluctantly we left the caves area, still wondering if we should do the Blackwater Rafting Caving and set off to the Tongariro National Park – home of Mount Doom no less!! Aka Mt. Ngauruhoe. On the way we stopped off to see the Raurimu Spiral which was an engineering feat completed back in 1908 after 10 years work! . It is a railway line which spirals up through the countryside to get up the hills – Howard was very excited at the prospect of seeing this, so we walked up to the viewing platform – I even let him go first to get the first glimpse and saw…….nothing but the countryside!! Ha ha we did see the wire model dangling in front of the ... read more
New Zealand – Tongariro National Park and Whakahoro – Time for a bit of axe throwing and trekking at Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings.
Published: May 4th 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
April 10th 2012
New Zealand – Tongariro National Park and Whakahoro – Time for a bit of axe throwing and trekking at Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings. After the adrenaline filled past couple of days it was time to head into the wild of the national parks for some trekking. We would first be heading to a cool little place called Blue Duck Lodge in Whakahoro or as its actually pronounced f*ck-a-whore-o which raised a few smiles from the English contingent on the bus every time it was talked about over the microphone. As the name of the lodge suggests you are often able to spot the very rare Blue Duck on the river here but unfortunately we didn’t see one, mainly because we didn’t have time to go to the river, doh! We arrived around three ... read more
Neuseeland - Tongariro Nationalpark
Published: April 11th 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
March 19th 2012
19.03.2012 Früh morgens fuhren wir zum Tongariro Nationalpark. Das Wetter war wieder super. Peter machte seinen nächsten Great Walk. Das Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Es war herrlich.... read more
Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Rafting the Tongariro River
Published: February 29th 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
February 29th 2012
We haven't been travelling as much lately, just settling into real life as we are now in our 4th year in New Zealand. We bought a house last May which has a gorgeous view of the harbor, so now whenever we travel we have to think "Is this view as good as ours?" In November Becky and I went to Fiji for 2 weeks, which was fabulous-will do a future blog on that. However, 2 weeks ago we embarked on "the best one day walk in New Zealand" known as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Our friends the Meadows and the Ericksons joined us in this venture, and Caroline whipped me into shape(?) before the trip with some hill training. The walk is 19.4 km-that's about 12 miles, for those who are non metric thinkers. The walk ... read more
Rotorua , Lake Taupo en Tongariro National Park
Published: February 23rd 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
February 23rd 2012
We namen afscheid van alle families in KatiKati en besloten richting Nathan te gaan in Rotorua. We probeerden hem al verschillende dagen te bereiken en hadden heel veel geluk dat hij thuis was op het moment dat we hem nog es belden. Hij vond het super dat we dan toch gekomen waren...alleen zijn vrouw vond het niet zo leuk. Ze was wat afstandelijk en sliep bijna het ganse weekend door. Zijn vrouw was niet meegekomen naar Lake Wakaremoana dus vandaar dat ze ons niet kende. We hadden wel het geluk dat we er toch het weekend mochten blijven. Nathan nam ons mee naar allle leuke plekjes dat hij kende. Verschillende meren : onder andere Blue Lake en Green Lake het ene meer is eigendom van een Maori stam (iwi) en het andere is wél openbaar maar ... read more
Taupo and Tongariro Crossing
Published: January 24th 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
January 24th 2012
So it has been couple of days since we let you know what we are up to. We had the highlight of our adventure as we crossed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing which is pretty the most amazing walk I have ever done. Lukas wanted to do bungee jumping and skydive in Taupo as it is pretty cheap and very popular place to do it. However, Taupo is very touristic and money making place so we decided to leave it. I'd rather skydive above Mt Cook. We had a free bath in thermal Hot Springs on the river Waikato. There is a free campsite near Taupo which is brilliant and we met lots of backpackers there. We visited Honey Hive http://www.hukahoneyhive.com/ where we were able to try all sorts of honey for free. You wouldn't believe how ... read more
Tongariro Northern Circuit
Published: January 25th 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
January 18th 2012
The video is larger than I expected, so it's taking some time to upload. Tongariro National Park is the location of Mount Ngauruhoe also known as Mount Doom to Lord of the Rings fanatics. The 42km Northern Circuit track goes all the way around the mountain and includes the Tongariro Crossing which is one of the most popular walks on the North Island. Max, Gerwin, and myself completed the whole track in 13 hours. We got a lot of hate before we did it, but the weather was perfect so we went for it.... read more
NEW ZEALAND TIME.
Published: January 13th 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
January 13th 2012
This is going to have to be a short one as I have about 10 minutes left of Internet and the Internet where we've been staying is pretty expensive. We've been having an amazing time in New Zealand, such an beautiful landscape. Reminds me of Scotland at times and Canada (not that I've been) at others. This country makes me think of Dad quite a bit as I know he'd love it! The group we're on tour with are lovely, about 23 girls and 2 boys.haha. So parents have no need to worry! We already feel like we've all been together for ages and I'm currently learning danish due to the 8 Danish girls (and one boy) on our trip. Its really fun! What have we done so far? We've done Coastal Kayaking which was tough ... read more
North Island, New Zealand
Published: January 23rd 2012Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park
January 13th 2012
Hi all, arrived in Aukland at about 2am NZ time and after queueing at check in for about 30 minutes we were directed to our room only to find some european guy dozing in the bed!!! Worked out OK though as the next room they put us in was en-suite! A lot of our time in Aukland was dedicated to searching for some suitable footwear for the walking we are intending to do on the North Island, specifically the Tongariro crossing which is 17k hike which takes you between 2 active volcanos (including Mount Ngarahoe which is Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings). Don't think the flip flops we have been wearing till now will quite cut it!! We did find time to have a trip up the Sky Tower which was only just around ... read more
