Understand
[edit]- 1 Turangi i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 1 Ngawaka Pl (adjacent to Volcanic Activity Centre), ☏ +64 7-386 8999, [email protected]. Oct to mid-Jun daily 9AM-5PM, mid-Jun-Sep daily 8:30AM-4:30PM.
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]Intercity have three services per day from Auckland and from Wellington.
By car
[edit]Turangi is on State Highway 1, between Taupo and Waiouru.
Get around
[edit]- Mountain Shuttle, ☏ +64 800-117-686, [email protected]. A shuttle from Ketetahi (the finishing point of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing) back to Mangatepopo (the starting point) for those who parked at Mangatepopo. Adult $35, child $25.
- Turangi Alpine Shuttles, ☏ +64 27-232-2135, toll-free: +64 508-427-677. Shuttle to each end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
See
[edit]- 1 Tongariro National Trout Centre, 257 State Highway 1 (3 km south of town, on the Tongariro River Trail), ☏ +64 7 386-8085. Daily 10AM-3PM. Freshwater aquarium and flyfishing museum. Also a creche for young endangered whio (blue duck) for Dec-Mar approx. Adult $20, child $10, under 5 free.
Do
[edit]- Tongariro River Rafting, 95 Atirau Rd. A variety of rafting experiences, including raft fishing and a blue duck experience, featuring the endangered native whio (blue duck).
- Tongariro River Trail. Walk or mountain bike. It's 15 km in total, but you can walk just parts of it. You can start it at i-SITE Visitor Information Centre. Tongariro National Trout Centre is on the route.
- Trout fishing. Turangi is mostly famous for the Tongariro River, which runs through it. It provides excellent fishing all year round (but particularly during August-October) for rainbow (steelhead) and brown trout.
- Hunting
- Walking, climbing and (in season) skiing in nearby Tongariro National Park
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Hydro Eatery, cnr Ohuanga Rd & Pihanga St, ☏ +64 7 386-6612. Daily 8AM-3PM. Cafe.
- 2 RUST Licensed Gourmet Burger Bar, Shop 6, 56 Turangi Town Centre, ☏ +64 7 386-5947. Th-Sa 7AM-11PM, Su & W 7AM-9PM.
- 3 Turangi Tavern, 17 Ohuanga Rd, ☏ +64 7 386-6071. Daily 11AM-11PM. Pretty good pub food.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Riverstone Backpackers, 222 Te Rangitautahanga Rd, ☏ +64 7 386 7004. Purpose-built 18-person character backpackers, which also offers Tongariro Alpine Crossing Transport. Set amongst native gardens with new kitchen, open-plan living area and huge sun deck. Heaters in all bedrooms, blankets, full laundry facilities and always-hot showers. Log-burning fire, fully insulated building and windows double-glazed. BBQ, hammocks, walk-in drying room, and specialised gear storage facilities for snow and fishing gear. Fast Internet, Skype and laptop access. Beds from $30, rooms from $66.
- 2 Turangi Kiwi Holiday Park, 13 Te Reiti Tamara Grove (off Ohuanga Rd), ☏ +64 7 386-8754. Motel unit, cabins and campsites.
Go next
[edit]- National Park Village
- Taupo, the bigger town at the northern end of the lake
- Tongariro National Park