Tongariro National Park in Summer
Ruapehu is where thousands travel during the winter months to snowboard and ski down the snow-covered mountain. The place is a bustling hive of activity during winter. But did you know, there are many great things to do in Tongariro National Park in Summer ?
The summer season at Mt Ruapehu kicks off from December all the way to May, before closing to get ready for the winter season. And during that six-month period, there are lots of adventures to be had.
Read on to find the top things to do in the Tongariro National Park during summer.
Sky Waka Gondola
Inside the Sky Waka Gondola in Tongariro National Park
A unique experience for sure. Travel through the clouds and over a landscape that is reminiscent of Mars without its cover of snow during summer in the Tongariro National Park. The Sky Waka Gondola takes you up Mt Ruapehu to 2020m above sea level, offering floor to ceiling views of the surrounding landscape including Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro.
The gondola is the way to travel if you want to see amazing views without needing to hike anywhere to get to them. Because sometimes, we want the low effort and high reward option.
The return Gondola costs $39 for an adult, youths are $19 and seniors and students are $25. Tickets can be brought here
And for those who are a little more on the adventurous side, pay a little extra and get the glass-bottomed gondola, and watch the landscape pass beneath your feet.
Get a coffee a New Zealand’s highest cafe - PĀTAKA Cafe
Enjoying a coffee while 2050m above sea level
Coffee is always a treat, but having it 2020m above sea level is a whole new experience. Pataka Cafe, open seven days, 9 am to 4 pm, offers a range of drinks as well as cabinet food to enjoy while marveling at the world below. Make sure to grab a seat outside if the weather is fine because the views from out on the balcony are spectacular.
Have lunch at the Pinnacle Restaurant
The Pinnacle’s Restaurant has floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding rugged terrain and it is a view that can not be beaten while having lunch. While traditionally, the Pinnacles offered a buffet-style lunch, this has been paused at the moment due to New Zealand’s current Covid level. But they do have a great lunch menu to choose from with a range of snacks and meals to dig into while enjoying the picturesque views of this Mars-like landscape.
Hike
High above the clouds with the Skyline Hike
Hiking is a great affordable summer activity and luckily there are many many likes to choose from in the Tongariro National Park in summer.
The Sky Waka can take you to the trailhead of two such hikes. The Skyline Walk has been described as the best short walk in the Tongariro National Park. And I can see why. It is a fun walk and has amazing views. You do start to feel a little like a mountain goat, scrambling up rocks and scree, and past waterfalls. But, with the correct footwear, it should be manageable. Follow the white markers along the rocky volcano landscape and you will get to the ridge. It takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours to return and can be quite sweaty and tiring in some parts especially being so high up.
Another walk that can be started from the Sky Waka is the Waterfalls Descent. With this walk, you will follow the same path that ancient lava and lahar flowed. This will take you all the way down to the base, at the start of the gondola ride and is a cool alternative way to descend if you do not want to take the gondola back down.
Waterfall chase
Taranaki Falls
If waterfalls make you excited, then you will be happy to know that Tongariro National Park has a lot of waterfalls for you to chase this summer. There is the Tawhai Falls, where Lord of the Rings scenes was filmed involving everyone’s favorite Gollum, and is the perfect spot for a swim if you are brave and do not mind the cold. There is the Waitonga falls, which is the tallest fall in the park and is pretty spectacular but does involve an hour and a half hike to see. There is also the Mangawhero Falls which only requires a short five-minute walk to see, so is a great waterfall to search for when you are feeling a bit lazy or tired, or both.
Have a swim
Even during summer, the water in Tongariro National Park is cold enough to make any toe curl or skin goosebump. The water comes directly from the mountain so it is brisk, but it is also lovely due to this freshness and clean and pure mountain quality. If you feel brave, take a dip. But make sure that the water is safe before hopping in aka the current is not strong. And please remember to keep these beautiful freshwater sources clean, so do not put soap or sun cream or any other product in the water.
Look out for whio chicks
The warmer months are when all the chicks come out, of the baby bird variety. At the Tongariro National Park, there is a range of endangered fauna to encounter. One of these is the whio or blue duck. These ducks live on the fast-moving clean rivers in New Zealand and they call this National Park home. A whio’s chick is the fluffiest little cute ball, so keep your eyes peeled for these guys on the river as you explore the forests of the National Park. If you are lucky, you may even see a juvenile kārearea or two, New Zealand’s endemic falcon.
Some of these experiences were part of a hosted famil. All views are my own and authentic.