I am heading to NZ next week for travel, and when I browse the google map, I find a volcano named Mt. Taranaki which is located at southwest part of northern island and another called Mt. Ngauruhoe located in the middle of northern island.
Just a bit confused which one will be worthy to go and have a look. And will it be covered by snow at the end of Nov?
Cheers
Cheers mate : )
Mt Taranaki is really impressive went there last year.
Looking at a few webcams looks like there is some snow.
http://www.tourism.net.nz/listing/nztg/visitor-information/1…
Having lived at the foot of Ngarahoe for three years I'd say, Ngaourahoe is a far superior place to visit - you will be visiting three volcanoes, Nharahoe, Ruapehu and Taranaki. You can drive half way up Ruapehu as it is the nth island ski fields - we used to get snow on the mountain as late as December, it is snow capped all year round. Ngarahoe was used as Mt Doom in the lord of the rings movies if that means anything to you. If you are feeling a little immature you get to say Whakapapa village a lot (wh is pronounced as an F). Stop in the Chateau at Whakapapa Village or if you are on the other side at Ohakune, you can see the big carrot.
Lake Taupo and Rotorua are also fairly close by.
Taranaki is OK, you can climb it, you might get snow, you won't get any kind of eruption…. It looks like Mt Fuji and was used as a stand in in that Tom Cruise movie where he was a US general in Japan can't think of the name.
hope that helps
Wow, thanks for the details. I also feel it looks like a Fuji Mountain when I notice it from google map. Ngaourahoe might be more closer to my route considering I will drive from Rutorua to Wellington.
Yeah, If you are going from Rotorua to Wellington it is definitely closer to your route. You'll be on the 1 from Rotorua, If you want to drive up Ruapehu, you'll have to go toward national park from Turangi - your GPS will then probably try and take you through Whanganui on the 4 (its a trap), the 49, through Ohakune and on to Waioru, hunterville, bulls, levin etc is a better drive. If you are travelling with Kids, Levin has a great adventure playground. The Tepapa Museum in Wellington is free and a great way to spend a few hours.
Thank you so much!!! I marked all the places u metioned on Gmap :) . Any suggestions abt the south island? I will spend a few days there. 26-30 Nov. from Christchurch
to Queenstown. I know the time might not be enough cuz there are so many sights to see. Maybe I should spend more days around queenstown?
Queenstown and Arrowtown are lovely, you could drive to lake Wanaka; but theres plenty to do in Queenstown.
If the road to Kaikoura is open (after the quakes) theres a spot called Ohau waterfall where Seals, leave their pups near a waterfall while they hunt, not sure if its getting too late, but heres a website - https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g255374-d22…
Thank you mate. Much appreciate for ur information. :)
Mt Taranaki always erupts around the end of Nov so worth going then for a look. So probably the pick of the two IMO.