The top reason for me to come to Tongariro National Park was to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is said to be the best one-day walk there is in New Zealand.
Unfortunately, a cyclone was passing over New Zealand when I was in the area, and on my first two days it was not possible to do the crossing, as the track was closed. But for my last day, some transport companies found it worthwhile to give it a try. (To do the crossing, you need to book a shuttle that drives you to car park A and then picks you up at car park B).
Was it really fantastic? Let's be honest and call it an ordeal. It was raining for the better part of the ascent, and on the highest point the wind was strong resulting in a wind-chill corrected temperature of merely two centigrades.
But quite soon after I had passed the Red Crater, the rain ceased and by time there even was some sunshine, so the descent was a lot nicer. Unfortunately, though, I think there is a lot more to see on the way up – on the days that visibiliy permits, that is.
But at least, I can say that I have done it! (It is worth pointing out that the crossing is an ordeal in any weather. The distance is 19.4 km, and the ascent from the starting point is 750 m, so you need to be in good physical condition to do the crossing. It's not a walk in the park.)
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