New Zealand Tongariro Apline Crossing - Day Trip
Where is Tongariro National Park?
Tongariro National Park is located in the central North Island. It is about 330km from Auckland Airport and it takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes to the National Park via SH1 and SH4.
First of all, there are so many options to get to the Tongariro National Park and still get confused until you actually get there.
In this post, I want to share tips with you so you could avoid any confusion, unpredictable situations.
When is the best time to hike?
From November to April
In general, it is recommended that best time to hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing is from November to April (Summer to Autumn). The weather changes a lot in the area and the chance of opening the gate to the public is much higher in summer season.
I have recently hiked the course on 27th December 2023, even though it was summer and quite sunny days at the end of the year the weather in Tongariro National Park area changed a lot. Luckily it was sunny on the day I booked.
My recommendation is from end of December to end of January.
Date range is now fixed. What is next?
Check the transportation options and fix the date before you make a booking for shuttle bus and carpark.
There are a few ways to get there. In my case, my mum visited me (my family lives in South Korea) and I drove to the national park.
Catching a bus was another option as driving for 3 hours could make me feel tired even before hiking. However, it is not flexible in terms of timetable and it is quite pricy when two or more can travel together.
If you consider other options, you can check the link below for train, bus, drive.
https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Auckland/Tongariro-National-Park
What should I book?
Two bookings are necessary for Alpine Crossing
What should I book?
Two bookings are necessary for Alpine Crossing
1. Department of Conservation (DOC) Booking
From October 2023 onwards you will need to book the Tongariro Crossing – you will only be able to hike the crossing with a valid booking.
This is a major change as prior to this you did not need to book the Crossing.
There is no cost for booking. Click the link below and book your trip first.
2. Shuttle bus
Another tip is here. There are different options for shuttle bus service. ‘Carpark & Shuttle bus’ package is highly recommended.
Option A: Mangatepopo carpark - Alpine Crossing - Shuttle bus from Ketetahi to Mangatepopo
What you should know is the carpark at Mangatepopo is maximum 4 hours. To gariro Alpine Crossing takes at least 6 hours (if you are really fit and have a couple of short break)
Option B: Ketetahi carpark - Shuttle bus from Ketetahi to Mangatepopo carpark - Alpine Crossing - Drive away
I choose ‘Option B’ as it provided a private parking (of course outside carpark) and no need to wait for shuttle bus to pick you up! Let’s say Ketetahi carpark is only available for pickup/drop-off. You may have found many articles, blog posts and other shuttle bus websites that you will need to park on the side of the road (Lake Rotoaira) and saying it is safe to park there all day.
However, I didn’t feel it was safe enough to park my car on the side of the road all day.
I did lots of google searches and found a really good package that include both private carpark and shuttle bus for $60NZD (per person). I share the link below and add some screenshots below.
https://tongarirocrossing.com/
If you click and scroll down, there is ‘Transport Option’ button, check the details for your booking.
Without this carpark and shuttle bus service, I would have lost myself when I got there! Highly recommend this package.
Bookings are all done. What are next to do?
So far, you've decided how to get to Tongariro National Park and booked a carpark/shuttle bus service, and Alpine Cross Booking via DOC website.
Three important steps are left now. Packing your gears / Checker the weather / Driving! You are almost at end of your preparation of Tongariro Alpine Crossing!
Packing your hiking gears
Items you must bring with you!
- Drinking water (at least 2 liters)
- Tramping boots
- Waterproof/windproof jacket and pants
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sunscreen
- Warm layered clothing
- Mobile phone, torch, toilet paper, spare batteries
As mentioned above, it was in the middle of summer when I was hiking. I was wearing short-sleeve and short pants at the beginning, was feeling quite cold as I got to the top. I had to repeat put my gore-text jacket on and off at least 10 times!
Check the weather condition day before (after 3-4pm)
Tongariro Crossing Car Park will send you an email with the weather forecasting for the next day after 3-4pm. If you don't get any email or text message, ring them to check if the crossing is open. Here's a screenshot of the email from Tongariro Crossing Car Park.
Driving to Tongariro National Park (Ketetahi Carpark)
I drove from Hamilton to Ketetahi Carpark, it took me about 3 hours to get there. I highly suggest you drive to Taupo and keep driving down towards Turangi as road condition is way better and there are much less turns.
My last tip is check this DOC link and make sure that you have all information prior to your trip. I hope you really enjoy Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Leave a comment if you have any queries, happy to answer!
