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Tararua Range: History, Geology, Weather, Flora and Tramping
The Tararua Range is one of New Zealand’s best-known tramping areas, stretching from the Manawatū Gorge to the Remutaka Rangenorth of Wellington. Famous for its rugged ridges, historic huts and notoriously changeable weather, the Tararua also have a fascinating geological and ecological history. The Tararua is New Zealand’s spiritual home of tramping. Less than an…
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Totara Flats via Lower Waiohine Track: The Active Slip Warning
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Welcome to the Land of Fire and Ice: Tongariro National Park
Centrally located in North Island, Tongariro National Park serves as an adventure hub for those seeking a landscape shaped by fire, ice, and ancient legend. As New Zealand’s first National Park and a UNESCO Dual World Heritage area, it offers a rare convergence of geological wonder and deep Māori spiritual heritage. A Land of Giants…
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Ngā Puna a Tama & Pukekaikiore in Tongariro National Park
When the Tongariro National Park map was updated recently, Tony noticed a new marking north of the Upper Tama Lakes track: Ngā Puna a Tama / The Springs of Tama. These springs are named after the Māori Chieftain Tamatea, captain of the Tākitimu canoe, who explored the area six centuries ago. Our goal for the…
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Climbing Paretetaitonga: A Winter Mission on Mt Ruapehu
Paretetaitonga (2,751 metres) is widely recognized as the second-highest peak on Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. It sits just below Tahurangi (2,797m). While Point 2,757 further south, known informally as Te Ātaahua, is technically higher, it is not officially recognised as one of Ruapehu’s peaks. The name Paretetaitonga translates to ‘a wall or parapet, on…
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Happy Valley Ruapehu | A visit by a playful Sarahsaurus
The Sarahsaurus Tubing Descent In this early winter trip report, (perhaps my silliest) I went to Happy Valley at Mt Ruapehu where the skifield operators had made a sledding track with artificial snow for frustrated skiers to use to ride down on a tube while waiting for some real snow. Normally this snow tubing would…
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Do Tongariro waterfalls make you happier? I hike to Taranaki Falls to find out.
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Lake Colenso, Unknown Campsite & Elusive Ruahine Mountain Dolphins
A few years ago, I found myself trying to convince a friend that there was actually a place called “Unknown Campsite” in the Ruahine Range. “That’s not very helpful for finding it,” he replied. Much to his disbelief, I pulled out the topo map to show him that this mysterious backcountry spot does indeed exist.…
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Mangaweka & the Pegs of the Ruahine Range
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The oldest hut in the Tararua Range | it may not be what you think
Which is the oldest hut in the Tararua Range? The answer to which is the oldest hut in the Tararua Range depends on how you frame the question – it is not entirely simple. 1. First Purpose-Built Tramping Hut Overall: Alpha Hut No. 1 (1915) If asking for the very first shelter constructed specifically for public…
