The glorious Mt Ruapehu

Just leaving Mt Ruapehu – a great stopover in the centre of the North Island when you’re travelling from Rotorua to Wellington.  The mountain (actually a volcano) is located in the Tongariro National Park – which boasts the world’s only ski field within 500m of an active volcanic crater!

However, you don’t have to be a skier to enjoy the chairlift ride.  There are spectacular views in summer and winter.  Don’t pass up the chance to be ferried up to the Knoll Ridge café for the highest flat white in New Zealand!

Fast Facts:

  • Mt Ruapehu stands 2.797m high and is the highest point on the North Island
  • The volcano has erupted over 50 times since 1860
  • Mt Ruapehu has the highest lift in New Zealand, and the longest vertical descent in Australasia
  • Used as a location during the filming of the Lord of the Rings movies.  Mt Ruapehu was known as Mount Doom and was where the infamous ring was created.