Mountains to sea

Based in National Park, Tongariro Crossing Shuttles organises pick-up and drop offs for hikers doing the world renowned Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

The trek is rated New Zealand’s top one day hike and one of the best in the world. It is 19.4 km long and takes between six to eight hours, with breathtaking views and some challenging climbs.

The volcanic alpine landscape is dominated by Mt Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe and Tongariro, taking you past spectacular crater lakes, steaming vents, alpine vegetation and old lava flows.

Tongariro Crossing Shuttles offers a return service from National Park timed to give customers the flexibility to do the full day long trek at their own pace.
The company also caters for visitors wanting to do the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks or shorter walks in and around Whakapapa Village.

Leave the mountains

And head to Taupō where a visit is not complete without a lake trip. Chris Jolly Outdoors offers a full range of boat charters and fishing trips for every occasion.
Daily 90-minute scenic cruises leave from Taupō harbour at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 5pm motoring around the northern shoreline past Acacia Bay to the renowned Ngātoroirangi Māori carvings that can only be viewed from the lake.

A carving of esteemed tohunga (priest), Ngātoroirangi, is sculpted into the cliff-face 14 metres above the lake, along with 26 smaller sculptures down to the lake edge. Learn about the history of Lake Taupō and the carvings and enjoy views over the lake from outdoor viewing platforms and indoor lounges on the roomy 52-foot catamaran, Cruise Cat.

Home-made muffins and a hot drink are included in the morning and early afternoon sailings. Guests can watch a trout being landed on the 1.30pm sailing, and on occasion are treated to smoked trout on crackers.

Parasailing in the main bay offers a birds-eye view over the lake to the mountains. Up to three people can be accommodated – sharing the experience of being lifted off the back deck of the parasailing boat to soar through the air above the lake untamed wilderness would have looked like.

Head from Taupō to Rotorua

And take a quick detour to one of the country’s most innovative adventure parks – Velocity Valley – at Ngongotaha. There’s a range of adventure activities from jet boating, giant sky swing, flying wind tunnel and the only pedal powered monorail track in New Zealand. Activities are suitable for all ages, four-years-old upwards, from novice to experienced adrenaline seekers.

Buy a multi ride package and choose what you want to do. The most recent addition – Vertigo – launched in October to mark Velocity Valley’s 25th anniversary is a world exclusive that involves a 43 metre four second free fall to a safety net below.

Back on the road for the final leg to Whakatāne on the east coast.

A boat trip to pest free sanctuary Moutohorā Island offers a rare glimpse into what New Zealand’s untamed wilderness would have looked like. Guided tours by Qualmark Gold endorsed Ngāti Awa Tourism leave from the Whakatāne wharf and last around four hours.

Allow an extra 30 minutes for check-in and bio-security checks prior to departure. A 15-minute boat trip to the island aboard the Moutohorā Cat is followed by a two-hour guided walk on the pest free island which is renowned for its abundant flora and fauna and rare and endangered bird species including kororā (little blue penguins), ōi (grey-faced petrels), tīeke (North Island saddleback) and native kiwi.

Hear tales about the island’s history – its importance and long connection to the Ngāti Awa people, unsuccessful whaling ventures and rock and sulphur mining. The tour includes a visit to Moutohorā’s hot water beach at Ōnepu (Sulphur) Bay where visitors can enjoy a swim and dig beachside pools to relax in the warm geothermal waters.

Back on board, enjoy a circumnavigation of the island and a visit to the resident fur seal colony. The tour blends adventure and relaxation with an ecological experience suitable for all ages and family groups.