Smoking Mountains in Tongariro National Park. Magic planet tongariro national park new zealand

National Park Tongariro is located in the central part of North Island in New Zealand. It was in these parts that the famous film “The Lord of the Rings” was filmed. Tongariro Park was created in 1894, the park area is 76.5 thousand hectares. It is located in the center of the island, almost equidistant between Wellington and Auckland.

Even when in 1887 the Maori leader Te Heuheu Herekiki transferred rights to the territory, in the center North Island, the government of New Zealand, he entered into an agreement with them that this territory would become a nature reserve. And he was not mistaken. Tongariro became a National Park in 1897 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

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Tongariro National Park is located in the center of the Volcano Islands. This place is also called the “three smoking mountains”, as there are three volcanoes: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.

The youngest and active volcano Ngauruhoe, 2.5 thousand years old, often pleases seismologists with its activity. During eruptions, hot blocks the size of a one-story house fly out of the crater. Between Ngauruhoe and Tongariro there is a volcanic plateau on which there are lakes and craters; by the way, one of the famous tourist routes on foot, the places here amaze with their unusual beauty.

Tongariro is the smallest and calm volcano, its last eruption was in 1896. The park is named after this volcano.

Ruapehu rises 2897 meters above sea level, and there are amateurs on its slopes skiing. Last eruption Mount Ruapehu was in 1945. The eruption lasted for about six months!

In the western and northern parts of the park there are majestic coniferous forests, and the southern slopes of the Raupehu volcano are covered with beech forests that rise to a level of 1500 meters. Above is the kingdom of mountain meadows, where herbs and plants unfamiliar to us grow.

In summer average temperature in Tongariro Park it ranges from 13 to 25 C degrees plus, and in winter it is about 10. It happens that snow lies on the tops of volcanoes in the summer.

The nature of Tongariro Park is amazing. In summer for tourists here interesting excursions, rock climbing and just hiking through the park. In winter, skiing and snowboarding. Those interested can enjoy sport fishing and horse riding, and simply enjoy the amazing beauty of Tongariro Park.

Between the craters there are blue and emerald lakes. The water in them is brightly colored and quite warm, but swimming there is not recommended. These lakes are saturated with sulfur.

For the Maori tribes, the volcanoes of the park and the lands located next to them are sacred, because the legendary Maori leader is buried at the foot of these mountains.

In the west of the North Island there is Egmont Park with the beautiful Taranaki volcano. Maori legend says that the giants Tongariro and Taranaki vied and fought over the beautiful Pehanga until, exhausted from fighting each other, they froze forever.

But another legend tells how the Vuleans were born. A certain high priest Ngatoroirangi studied Tongariro and (apparently it was very cold) he froze. Things would have ended very badly if he had not turned to his sisters with a prayer to send him fire. The prayer was answered. The fire has come. But volcanic craters remained in his path.

Numerous eruptions have turned mountains with hardened lava into lunar landscapes. She, she doesn't need to go to the moon. Just get to the Tongariro Craters and look around.

But don’t think that there are only lava landscapes there. At the foot of the mountains there are dense beech forests, and higher up there are alpine meadows with its flora and fauna. In the park you can find the flightless brown kiwi bird, which has become a symbol of New Zealand, and black swans - completely wild, and bats, and possums, as well as deer. Europeans brought rabbits and hares here.

Near the park, a little to the north, there is beautiful lake Taupo. It offers a wonderful view of the mountains. Snowy peaks provide the opportunity to go skiing. You can also go sledding.

New Zealand associated with a real fairy tale. Perhaps the fact that this country is very far away and different from the usual tourist destinations contributed to this impression. However, recently it has opened its doors of hospitality to everyone. And there really is something to see here.
One such attraction is Tongariro National Park. It is located in the center of the island. This reserve is rich in colorful landscapes and all kinds of natural wonders that can surprise even an experienced tourist.

The road to the reserve is popular among hikers. Its size is 20 km, and the rise is 1900 m. During the ascent, you can admire the extraordinary views of the surrounding landscapes: lakes with turquoise water, mighty volcanoes and green trees.

The most famous facts and features of Tongariro Park:

The area of the reserve is about 790 square meters. km.
Founded in 1894 and still in operation today.
The height of the reserve reaches up to 2790 meters above the sea.
There are 3 on the territory active volcano: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.
Religious significance - this area is considered sacred to the Maori people of New Zealand.
In 1991, Tongariro Park became one of the world heritage UNESCO.

Nature national reserve It is very unique - on one side it is rich in green vegetation, and on the other there is a desert plateau. In the center of the park there are 3 famous New Zealand volcanoes. The tectonic activity of the island led to the fact that most of it was transformed into a desert area.

The reserve has a very rich flora and fauna. Meadow grasses, shrubs and many other representatives grow here flora. And a huge abundance of coniferous trees borders the ice caps of the mountains. This is where the popular symbol of New Zealand, the kiwi bird, lives.
Of course, so beautiful and ancient place there were some legends. According to one of them, a poor girl was sacrificed on Mount Tongariro. She was a servant of the leader, who with this sacrifice wanted to thank the priestesses for sending the fire.

This place is very popular among lovers active rest. Hotels near the park provide booklets with travel routes. The difficulty level of such climbs varies, depending on the distance - from 6 to 70 kilometers. Along the routes you have the opportunity to admire waterfalls of various sizes and widths, volcanoes spewing smoke, as well as a very diverse vegetation. It is advisable to take few things with you. The roads on such routes are designed as comfortable as possible for visiting travelers. To prevent the climbs from seeming too steep, there are steps laid out here. And bridges were built across small rivers. This trip will definitely remain in your memory for a long time.

Tongariro National Park is truly named one of the most picturesque nature reserves on the planet. There are few places where you can simultaneously admire formidable volcanoes and calm river flows. Explorers of the reserve will discover a new, unforgettable world.

Founded back in 1894, Tongariro National Park today is not only a treasure. Just over twenty years ago, in 1993, it was the first of the world's cultural landscapes to be included in the World Heritage List.

The park occupies a vast territory of more than 75 thousand hectares and the main objects in it are three mountains sacred to local tribe Maori.

Landscapes for films

Today, the landscapes of Tongariro are known in many parts of the Earth - and all thanks to director P. Jackson, who filmed the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy based on the books of J. Tolkien in these places. In particular, it was the local natural attractions that “played the roles” of the mysterious and dangerous Misty Mountains, wild plains and the monumental, power-filled Mount Orodruin, born in the imagination of the cult British writer.

Volcanoes and lakes

Tongariro National Park is best known for its three active volcanoes: Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu and Tongariro.

They are in close proximity to each other. The highest is Ruapehu - it soars to a height of 2797 meters. Translated from the Maori language, the name of this periodically erupting lava mountain means Rumbling Abyss.

Interestingly, when the activity of the volcano decreases, a lake forms in the crater, warm enough to swim in - tourists often take advantage of this opportunity. After all, where else can you get a chance to swim in a real volcano?

However, it is worth noting that in last years The acidity of the water has increased significantly, and therefore such swimming is a dubious pleasure. Not to mention that the water temperature can rise sharply at any moment.

Near the volcanoes there are beautiful, clear lakes, captivating with the unusual color of the water. By the way, it was she who gave the names to these water bodies - Emerald and Blue lakes.

Sacred Maori lands

The lands of the National Park are sacred to the Maori tribe. There has always been a strict ban on cutting down trees, hunting and fishing.

Entertainment and attractions

A variety of entertainment has been created for tourists. For example, there are special hiking trails. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing route deserves a special mention, but it is recommended only in good, clear weather.

There are many other trails along which tourists can enjoy beautiful views, clean lakes and other natural attractions.

Flora and fauna

The flora and fauna of the park is truly unique. If we talk about trees, these are not only pine species familiar to Europeans, but also kahikatea, pahautea, and kamahi.

The rarest birds that live here also deserve mention - the kea and tui parrots. Throughout the Earth they can only be found in Tongariro.

How to get there?

But it’s easier to get to it from Auckland - they go there Shuttle Buses. You can also rent a car. You need to drive along State Highway 1. The journey will take up to 3.5-4 hours.

Tongariro National Park is surrounded by lush vegetation on one edge and overwhelming desert plateaus on the other. The waves of its crystal clear lake splash against the shores of solidified lava. Above them on the tops of the volcanoes they turn white eternal snow. The Maori aboriginals revere Tongariro as sacred place. The three active volcanoes Tongariro (1968 m), Ngauruhoe (2291 m) and Ruapehu (2797 m) still occupy central place in Maori legends and myths.

Location and size: Tongariro National Park is located on the North Island of New Zealand. It is New Zealand's oldest nature reserve, founded in 1894. total area about 796 sq. km.
Altitude: Most of the highlands rise above sea level to an altitude of 500 to 2797 m. The three active volcanoes are Tongariro (1968 m), Ngauruhoe (2291 m) and Ruapehu (2797 m).
UNESCO World Heritage List: Tongariro was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.
Maori: Tongariro is an important sacred site for the Maori tribe. Maori are the aboriginal people of New Zealand and are believed to have settled on the islands between the 8th and 14th centuries, having moved from Polynesia in several waves of migration.
Mount Ngauruhoe is known as Mount Doom from the film version of The Lord of the Rings.

Legends tell of Ngatoroirangi, chief of the Tawharetoa tribe. To assert his power over this land, Ngatoroirangi had to climb Mount Tongariro and light a fire there. Taking with him only the servant girl Auruhoe, the leader went to the mountain, but it was so cold there that he almost froze to death. In desperation, he called out to his sisters, who were great priestesses in their homeland of Hawaii. They heard the desperate call of their brother and made the earth split open so that a hidden fire would blaze from there. To thank the volcano god, Ngatoroirangi sacrificed his faithful maid to him. And since then the Maori have called Mount Ngauruhoe, in memory of the unfortunate victim.

The descendants of Ngatoroirangi still live in the vicinity of Mount Tongariro, their great shrine. When in the 19th century The mass migration of whites began, the supreme leader of the Tauharetoa, Te Heuheu Tukino IV, tried to use diplomatic tricks to prevent them from seizing the lands of his tribe. In 1887, he presented three volcanoes to the British Crown in exchange for a promise to establish a protected zone around them. Thus, the holy places were in the center of the Tongariro National Park, founded in 1894.

In the center of the national park there are three famous volcano. And although in geological terms they are all active, only Ruapehu erupts quite often.

Volcanic and other tectonic activity has transformed most the territory of the Tongariro National Park into bare highlands with small patches of green landscapes.

These areas have become a haven for abundant flora and fauna. Meadow grasses, lichens, alpine shrubs and coniferous trees grow on the border of eternal snow.

The forests on the slopes of volcanoes are home to more than 50 various types birds, including the famous kiwi, which has become a symbol of New Zealand.

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Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand, located in the center of the mountainous North Island - the “Volcano Islands”, 330 km south of Auckland and 320 km north of Wellington. The park was created in 1894 and covers an area of 76.5 thousand hectares.

The park is based on three active volcanoes - Ruapehu (2797 m), Ngauruhoe (2291 m) and Tongariro (1968 m). Maori consider them sacred. The legendary leader of the indigenous people of New Zealand, Te Heuheu Herekiki, is buried near the “smoking mountains”. Modern Indians believe that through volcanoes the tribe communicates with the wildlife of the island. Mounts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe are located next to each other, between them there is a volcanic plateau with craters and small lakes (“ Blue Lake" and "Emerald Lake").

The main component of the unique beauty of the valley of three volcanoes is the unique and rich flora and fauna left intact. In the north and west of the park there are extensive pine (podocarp family) forests. There you can find amazing kahikatea, kamahi, pahautea trees and numerous ferns, orchids and mushrooms. On the southern slopes of Raupehu there is a beech forest. And nearby, on gravel and stone layers, multi-colored mosses and lichens grow in abundance. Among the abundance of birds are the brown kiwi, the rare kaka bird, the tui, the blue duck and the mop owl. There are long-tailed bats and black rats, stoats, cats, rabbits, hares, possums and deer brought by Europeans.

The park is equipped with entertainment for tourists coming at any time of the year. In addition to skiing and snowboarding in winter, in summer tourists can enjoy hiking and rock climbing in the park. There are also opportunities for sport fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and rafting. In the park you can easily recognize the landscapes seen in the film “The Lord of the Rings”, which was filmed here.

In 1993, Tongariro became the first site classified as cultural landscapes, which has been inscribed on the World Heritage List according to the new revised criteria.