Waimarino Activities
As the name suggests, Waimarino (formerly National Park Village) is an awesome base for exploring the Tongariro National Park and all the activities it has to offer.
From mountain biking to hiking to even culinary experiences and mini-golf, there is a wide range of experiences to be had in this little alpine village in the North Island. Find out what you can get up in this list of things to do in Waimarino!
In between hitting the slopes in winter on Mt Ruapehu or taking on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, stay in some cheap accommodation to save on the cents in these 10 Best Backpacker Hostels in Waimarino (National Park Village) and Whakapapa.
For more things to do in the area, see 10 Tongariro National Park Must-Dos.
Table of Contents
1. Hike the Tongariro Crossing
Waimarino is the perfect base for tackling the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The 19.4 km (12 m) one-way hike offers sensational views of the best volcanic landscape in the Tongariro National Park: vibrant lakes, volcanic plateaus, volcanic cones, steaming vents, scree, lava flows and much more!
There are plenty of shuttle services operating from National Park to take you to and from The Crossing.
Take a look at Tongariro Crossing Accommodation and Transport: A Practical Guide for more information.
Location: 16 km (10 mi) from National Park. We recommend using a shuttle service if you intend to do the full hike. Otherwise, the Mangatepopo Road is about 13 km (8 mi) down State Highway 47, then follow the Mangatepopo Road to the car park.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Walk to Tupapakurua Falls
Discover the breathtaking and lesser-known forest areas of the area on the Tupapakurua Falls Track.
Either walk to the Taranaki Lookout (2 hr 30 mins return) to see awesome views across the valleys and all the way to Mt Taranaki on a clear day or continue to the Tupapakurua Falls Lookout (4-5 hours return) to get awesome views of the impressive Tupapakurua Falls.
Follow the orange markers as the track continues steeply down to the stream below for another perspective.
Location: Start from the end of Carroll Street and follow the Fishers Road to where the track begins. (It’s well signposted).
© NZPocketGuide.com3. See Tawhai Falls
Don’t worry, not all waterfall walks are a 5-hour walk. Tawhai Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to get to in the Tongariro National Park and it’s only an 8-minute drive from Waimarino.
See this picturesque waterfall tumbling over an ancient lava flow only 10 minutes down the Tawhai Falls Track.
There are a ton of walks in the area so head over to 15 Walks Around Waimarino (National Park Village) & Whakapapa Village.
Location: 12 km (7 mi) from National Park. Take State Highway 47 onto State Highway 48 toward Whakapapa Village. The walk is off the side of the road about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) down SH48.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Try Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Based right in Waimarino, My Kiwi Adventure is the ultimate pick for outdoorsy types and anyone keen to explore the region without the hassle of logistics.
For something truly unique, they run New Zealand’s highest guided stand-up paddleboarding tour at 616 m (2,021 ft) above sea level. It’s a serene, slow-paced experience that lets you glide across calm alpine waters while soaking in volcanic views stretching towards Mt Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a confident paddler, the guides make it fun, accessible and surprisingly relaxing, the perfect pick if you want a memorable activity without the intensity of hiking or biking.
Location: 2 Findlay Street, Waimarino.
© My Kiwi Adventure - Visit Ruapehu5. Cycle the Fishers Track
This grade 2 mountain biking trail has around 17 km (11 mi) of downhill fun to enjoy. Great views across forested valleys await!
Better yet, the trail starts from Waimarino itself! Go to the end of Carroll Street and over the railway crossing, following a steady 3 km (2 mi) climb up a gravel track.
After the downhill section, the rest of the way is alongside farmland where the trail ends at The Monument. A return shuttle can be organised from Waimarino.
The whole trail is 28 km (17 mi), taking about 2-3 hours to complete.
Take a look at Mountain Biking in Ruapehu for more information.
Location: Carroll Street.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Ski or Snowboard on Mt Ruapehu
During the winter season (June to October), hit the slopes of Whakapapa! Whakapapa is New Zealand’s largest ski field packed with trails for all abilities.
Ski and snowboard rental are available both in Waimarino and at the Whakapapa ski field. Shuttles operate from National Park regularly or you can drive yourself!
Location: 22 km (14 mi) from National Park. Take State Highway 47, then State Highway 48 toward Whakapapa Village. Continue straight through the village onto the Bruce Road and up the mountain.
© RAL7. Hike or Take the Chairlift on Mt Ruapehu in Summer
During summer, the Whakapapa chairlifts are still running to help you explore its amazing volcanic landscape. Have a coffee at the Knoll Ridge Cafe at the top of the chairlift, or take on one of the many hikes in the area.
Follow the Waterfalls Descent Track (2 hours one way) from the Whakapapa base to the Knoll Ridge Cafe taking in the views of waterfalls and the rugged volcanic terrain.
The Skyline Track (1 hr 30 mins return) from Knoll Ridge provides awesome views of Mt Ngauruhoe, Lake Taupo and more.
Finally, take the short walk to Meads Wall (10 minutes one way) for great views of Mt Ngauruhoe and to see a Lord of the Rings filming location. Pick up a trail map from the store at the Whakapapa base if you are unsure of where to go.
Location: 22 km (14 mi) from National Park. Take State Highway 47, then State Highway 48 toward Whakapapa Village. Continue straight through the village onto the Bruce Road and up the mountain.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Climb at the Indoor Climbing Hall
On those days when the weather isn’t playing ball, your rainy-day saviour is the National Park Indoor Climbing Hall in Waimarino!
This community-run climbing gym inside the National Park School is surprisingly good, with a mix of top-rope climbs and bouldering walls perfect for first-timers, kids and experienced climbers alike.
Routes are regularly updated, so there’s always something new to challenge yourself with. The friendly crew can help you get fitted with harnesses and offer basic instruction, making the experience easy and welcoming even if you’ve never climbed before.
With warm lighting, relaxed vibes and climbing walls standing 8 m (26 ft) high with around 300 m² (984 ft²) of wall space, this little indoor gem gives you an active break from the region’s rugged outdoor trails while keeping the adventure spirit alive.
Location: 4 Findlay Street.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Mountain Bike the 42 Traverse
For an epic mountain biking mission, don’t miss the 42 Traverse. This 46 km (28.5 mi) grade 3-4 bike trail has an overall descent of 570 m (1,870 ft) of challenging downhills and muscle-testing uphills.
Following this old logging route in the Tongariro Forest Park will take about 4-7 hours to complete. Organise one of the National Park shuttle services to pick you up at the end.
Find out more about the trail in our mountain biking guide.
Location: 19 km (12 mi) from National Park. Start from Kapoors Road, about 16 km (10 mi) down State Highway 47.
© TRAILSOURCE.COM on Flickr10. Play Mini-golf
Who doesn’t love a game of mini-golf? The Mini Golf at Schnapps offers a quirky 18-hole layout inspired by the region’s volcanic landscapes and railway heritage, with fun features like a ski field chairlift.
It’s the perfect light-hearted break between mountain biking or hiking adventures, appealing to couples, families and groups of mates competing for bragging rights.
The course is outdoors but sheltered enough for drizzly days, and because it’s low-cost, it fits perfectly into a budget-friendly itinerary.
Get your clubs and ball from the Schnapps Bar.
Location: Corner of State Highway 4 and Findlay Street.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore Things to Do Near Waimarino
That’s it for our guide to the best things to do in Waimarino, for more information about exploring this stunning region, check out the following articles:
- 15 Walks Around Waimarino (National Park Village) & Whakapapa Village
- 10 Epic Bike Trails Around Tongariro National Park
- The Famous Lord of the Rings Filming Locations in Ruapehu
For more activities on your travels, check out the 50 Best Things to Do in the North Island.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Visit Ruapehu NZ (Regional tourism website)
- Ruapehu District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
