TRM just received a phone call from a Sunday Star Times journo asking how to fix the crowding issues on the Tongariro Crossing. With the long Labour Weekend approaching at the end of October and warmer summer temperatures, the tourist pressure increases. Below are some of TRM’s previous blogs on alternative options for wet days or for when it is just toooooo crowded…
Alternatives to the Tongariro Crossing?
At this time of the year the Tongariro National Park is a favourite destination for school groups. Most want to tramp the Tongariro Crossing. TRM has Wairarapa College staying this week. Others are tramping the Tongariro Circuit despite various DOC huts being booked out. i.e. The brave pupils from Orewa College are camping. It can get quite chilly in tents at this time of the year. It was snowing up there last week! So it is time for our annual reminder that other more sensible options are just as good. This is an update of previous reports on alternative options to the Tongariro Crossing to avoid delays and parking hassles and crowding.
In anticipation of the warmer summer months ahead, many are planning or hoping to complete one of the “iconic” great walks of NZ – the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Inevitably SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is Manager of everything She can see at TRM) is asked about it and the following brief video clip is Her usual reply.
One essential ingredient, to include in the planning, is fine weather. Never rely on any TV forecast for Taupo – located 50 km north of Turangi and about 80 km north of the crossing. A better long term weather forecast planning aid would be to time it by the moon phases. (i.e. The next full moon in October is the 18th. For November it is the 16th.) Then the weather is usually more settled. The brief video above was about 10 years ago…
The Tongariro Crossing is more suitable for families and those looking for a long alpine tramp with wide views and all the other features expected in this Central Plateau region, but make sure you also have a “Plan B”…
Trampers need to be aware of possible delays from crowding and parking issues at peak times so we strongly recommend the use of a shuttle bus service like Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles. If the aim is to get away from the crowds then we suggest the Tongariro Crossing should be avoided. The track from the Chateau Tongariro to the Taranaki Falls continuing on to the Tama Lakes would be a better option to avoid parking issues.
Other local alternatives are the Kaimanawa Ranges. The Kaimanawa Road access off the Desert Road has two well-signposted tracks – the Urchins Track to the ridge 1392m. or the Umukarikari track to 1591m. above the snow line both provide dramatic views back west towards the central plateau peaks and Lake Taupo.
But for those looking for a little more excitement and more of a real challenge, this alternative climb up higher to 2797m is recommended as a far more satisfying achievement…
The brief video was taken on Auckland Anniversary weekend in late January 2015 when everywhere else was hopelessly crowded. Since then the “sky waka” gondolas have been installed to carry trampers up to the highest cafe in NZ. The gondolas replace the original old chairlifts in the video – now recycled by SWMBO in Her garden paradise…
It is not generally realised that the peak tourist traffic in the Tongariro National Park is not for skiing but for tramping. TRM are keen to promote the Sky Waka rides this summer. There are so many other activities available in the warmer summer months that need more promotion. Imagine a downhill bike trail… It will happen one day.
The original blog was prompted by readers’ questions sent to a popular local (National Park) shuttle bus operator, Colin Baker, (Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles) who considerately provides a Q&A post for those wanting information on options to access and pick up from the Tongariro Crossing and other walks around the alpine region. In other words, don’t ask SWMBO…
A massive demand bubble anxiously seeking 100% pure fresh air and clean natural snow-melt water in scenic wide open spaces is anticipated very soon from those poor sods up north… see below…
