Tongariro National Park is the most antiquated park of New Zealand and also one of the oldest of this world. It is situated in the central North Island of the country and draws the attention of all those explorers and adventurers who grab cheap flights to Auckland. The site is very famous for being one of the 28th natural World Heritage and mixed cultural sites of this world and that has also been acknowledged by UNESCO.
It also proudly boasts of for being the 4th national park that was established on this planet. The heart of the park houses the active volcanic mountains, Tongariro , Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. The park is also very famous for housing many Māori religious sites and many sacred summits such as tapu. Many towns are also included within the boundary of the park like Turangi, Whakapapa skifield, National Park Village, Erua, Pokaka, Horopito, Waiouru and Ohakune.
The park covers the stretch of almost 795.98 km² and also offers a very convenient access to Lake Taupo. The park can also be approached from Wellington ( 320 kilometers in northern part). The park is partly and roughly unstable environment and it features a large rainforest that is blanketed with fungi, orchids, numerous epiphytic ferns, pahautea, kamahi, kahikatea and Hall’s totara.
The elevations are covered with Pahautea trees and you can also head towards the 50 km² beech forest that is located on the height of approximately 1530 m. the park also features scrubland that covers almost 95 square kilometers and is surrounded by small beeches, woolly fringe moss, inaka, celery-top pine and manuka. Above this elevation you will find stone fields and gravel and the surface is uneven.
The crustose lichens have been discovered above 2200 m. The place is also rich in fauna- more than 56 breeds of birds have been seen here and many of them are endemic like the karearea, double-banded plover , North Island fernbird, blue duck, kākā and brown kiwi. The park also offers shelter to insects and a large variety of animals like red deer, possums, hare, rabbits, cats, stoats and black rats.
The park serves as the attractive haven of plenty of thrilling and adventurous activities like snowboarding, skiing, climbing and hiking- these activities can be performed according to the weather conditions. The place also offers you many other exciting opportunities such as scenic flights, rafting, horse riding, mountain biking, game fishing and hunting.
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is the biggest attraction of this place- it was shot on Mount Tongariro. The most famous point of this destination is Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Whakapapa is the largest ski area and it offers ultimate fun in winters. Rock –climbing is also offered by the park to the professional and expert tourists. Besides, these few entertaining and amazing opportunities there is a lot more that can be enjoyed here so this time in your holiday-break, just plan up an excursion for New Zeland.
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