National Park Favorites

Favorite thing: Even on a really clear sunny day as we had, on the Tongariro Crossing, you cannot escape the bitterly cold and strong wind at the top of the Pass. I was standing on the rim of the South Crater.

If you are from Virtual Tourist, or not, this in my humble opinion is one of the best photos you can get of yourself, in all of New Zealand. We are standing on Mt Tongariro, one of the crater rims, and behind is the lovely classic vocano cone shape of Mt Ngauruhoe.

Fondest memory: Having my photo taken knowing I had climbed there myself, with my VT flag. The wind was so strong I had to hold it with my teeth!!
Mt Ngauruhoe epitomises ones idea of how a volcano should look!

Favorite thing: Lunch on Mt Tongariro is certainly a Must Do activity!! However you have a bit of effort to get here, as you will realise. A quite long walk. But when you get to Emerald Lakes its a really nice spot to stop and have lunch. However just be aware you still have a long walk ahead of you and take note of the time of day and the weather. Don't stay here too long if you are getting later in the day.

Fondest memory: It's a nice rest beside one of the Emerald Lakes. The water is cold, not hot.

Favorite thing: Apart from not wanting people to stray from the boardwalk to protect the fauna, nor do we want people toileting any old where on the mountain. There are not many, but 2 or 3 toilets can be found on the mountain. Bio degradable toilets, so please respect this and don't throw trash down them. Remove your trash in your pack.

Fondest memory: Now this loo is one of worthy mention. I mean it's well built, has sturdy wires to keep it firmly rooted to the ground, in case of high winds. Great ventilation chimney and fan, and such a lovey inviting verandah, out front.
Just in behind can be seen the peak of Mt Ngauruhoe.

Favorite thing: You must cross the South Crater to continue on your way up to the next level of the walk. But it's quite an eerie feeling once you realise you are literally standing on the plug of a volcano.

Fondest memory: This really was like being on the surface of the moon. The clear dark skies, oh but we could hardly feel like we were on the moon when we were looking at the moon up there, haha.
And the barren and rocky surrounding with the red hues, and cold air. All seemed very , well very "lunar"!!

Favorite thing: These beautiful green stunning small lakes, known as the Emerald Lakes, fill old explosion craters.
The colours in the photo are exactly as we saw them and I was really pleased how the colours reproduced.

Favorite thing: Pay particular attention to the Red Crater. You view it from the high and steep scree climb after the South Crater.
The colours are amazing, showing obvious reasons for it's name. This crater is in fact still active and can be seen steaming on occasions.

Fondest memory: The colours and textures in the Red Crater were so stunning, and to think they were naturally created is just amazing.

Favorite thing: From our viewpoint at the top of the climb at the top of the Mangatepopo Valley on the edge of the South Crater, you can look towards the West directly at Mt Taranaki. You can see it in the photo, if you look carefully.

Favorite thing: Being up above the clouds at sunrise was a really special moment for me. Especially as I was able to walk up here, and not have to endure technical climbing skills.

Fondest memory: Those fluffy white clouds with the suns rays warming them just a little. It's not often in my life anyway, that I get to be above the clouds at sunrise. I really was in awe of this moment. I guess also this is one of the reasons I took longer than most to do the walk, I sat and just stared at what was before me. Oh and I got one or two photos as well!! I'm sure some people were so intent of breaking records they didn't even look back and see this sight!