New Zealand Travelogue

North Island (Te Ika A Maui)

Okahune to Lake Taupo

(volcanoes in abundance)

Large Map North Island---Detailed Area Map

So I'm all set for my bike run from the Okahune Mountain road. If you're interested in biking then take a detour here by clicking the following line. Click this line for bike run and more stunning photos. Those not interested can proceed from here. After the run and with exceptional weather I started out west backtracking up to the NW slopes of Ruapehu to visit Whakapapa village and the enormous hotel called the 'The Chateau'. The road is shorter up that slope but steeper so I was relieved to have chosen the south slope for the run. The Chateau is very grand and regal perched with a vast view across the Tongariro forest areas. I drove deeper up the slope and found Iwikau village, a ski resort among huge volcanic boulders. (see below)

You can walk around the rims of the volcanoes, well some of the less active ones that is, by taking the Tongariro Crossing in one day or the whole shebang in about 5 - 6 days. Various huts are strategically placed along the route so you can rest and eat. If your more adventurous you can tackle the Crater Lake walk around Ruapehu but you should check with the DOC (depart. of conservation) if you intend to do this. It can be dangerous.You start the walk at the village pictured above and it takes 4 hours up and 3 hours back. If that's too punishing you can always fork out a small fortune for a plane ride over the area. After Iwikau village, I drove back to Ohahune to get some supplies and took the same road east along highway 49 to funnel my way around the volcanoes that make up Tongariro National Park.

Once again the topography of the landscape changed when I turned north onto the desert road (hwy. 1). Here are the familiar characteristics of red tussock grass scrublands just like on the South Island. You get very clear viewings of Ruapehu (2797m) and Ngauruhoe (2287m) (see below)

You can see Mt. Ngauruhoe above is how a young volcano should look, 32 degree slopes, gray-black and ash-covered. It still gives a surprise now and again. As with the South Island tussock grasses, this road saw no habitation just mile after mile of electricity pylons.The next picture is of Mt. Ruapehu itself, very active and multi-peaked.

Steam always seems to rise from its top. Finally at Turangi I skim my way around the shores of Lake Taupo which is really a volcanic crater that has a fault line under its bed. You should check out the tourist information park at Taupo as its very modern and you can gain tons of information on local activities and sights.