Ruapehu District: Volcanic Landscapes and Heritage

Ruapehu District includes the western half of Tongariro National Park, which is a dual World Heritage site. Part of Whanganui National Park also lies within the district. Most of Mount Ruapehu is here too. Exploring the region brings together volcanic landscapes, national parks and places rich in history.

Volcanic Landscapes and Nature

Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano. Its remarkable alpine terrain is crowned by a crater lake at the summit. The mountain gives the landscape a distinctive natural character, while the district also encompasses parts of two national parks. When planning your trip, it’s worth first deciding which landscape and cultural experiences you want, then choosing where to stay.

Near Ohakune, the Round the Mountain Track has two access points along Ohakune Mountain Road. There is parking, and shuttle services are available from Ohakune. The Timber Trail follows the historic Ongarue timber tramway and crosses large suspension bridges. The longest is 141 metres long and 55 metres high. The routes have different highlights: one is described in terms of access points, parking and shuttles, while the other is notable for its history and the impressive dimensions of its bridges.

Railway History and Museums

The historic Raurimu Spiral is in Ruapehu District, on the North Island Main Trunk Railway Line. The National Army Museum is in Waiouru. Together, these places offer a glimpse into railway and military history, each with a different kind of experience at its heart. The Ohakune Old Coach Road is also rich in history and offers the special opportunity to cycle across the Hapuawhenua Viaduct.

Taumarunui provides access to Tongariro National Park, Whanganui National Park and the Pureora Timber Trail. Taumarunui and Ohakune also each have an i-SITE visitor information centre. They offer expert local knowledge and free, impartial travel advice. When choosing a base, you can weigh the access from Taumarunui against the trails and shuttle services described around Ohakune. Which option suits you best depends on what you want to make the focus of your trip.

Manawatu-Wanganui as the Wider Region

The wider destination of Manawatu-Wanganui is also home to the Whanganui Journey, a 145-kilometre canoe trip on the Whanganui River in the central North Island. Shorter trips are also possible. If you don’t want to canoe, you can experience part of the journey by jet boat. The Whanganui River offers different ways to experience its river landscapes, and shorter trips provide another option besides covering the full distance.

Whanganui National Park protects one of the largest remaining areas of lowland forest on the North Island. River trips on the Whanganui River are among the popular activities there, and Māori culture is an important part of the park experience. Pipiriki is an important access point to the river. The Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka tracks also have a clear role: they are two sections of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail.

In Palmerston North, the New Zealand Rugby Museum explores the history and heritage of New Zealand rugby. It is regarded as the world’s first museum dedicated to the oval ball. In the “Have a Go” area, visitors can try rugby skills such as kicking, tackling, jumping, sprinting and pushing; programme details may change. The range of experiences across Manawatu-Wanganui therefore extends from river and nature activities to rugby history and hands-on activities at the museum.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Ohakune, Raurimu, Owhango, Tongariro National Park, Taumarunui, Raetihi, Whakapapa Village, Kakahi, Erua, Matiere, Retaruke.

Back to the regional travel overview: Manawatu-Wanganui.