What's on in Tongariro (Whakapapa), New Zealand through the year

Peak crowds — New Zealand summer holidays, Summer holidays in New Zealand

• Hazard

  Volcanic alert level

  1 Jan – 31 DecVolcanic activityClosures

  These are active volcanoes and the alert level is published daily. A rise closes the Crossing and the upper mountain at short notice, which has happened several times in the past decade. Source ↗

Still on: Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo (24 Oct – 5 May (usually)), Northern Circuit booked season (25 Oct – 30 Apr (usually)), New Zealand summer holidays (20 Dec – 1 Feb (usually))

Busy — New Zealand summer holidays

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo (24 Oct – 5 May (usually)), Northern Circuit booked season (25 Oct – 30 Apr (usually)), New Zealand summer holidays (20 Dec – 1 Feb (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

• Holiday

  Easter long weekend

  3–6 AprEaster & Holy WeekCrowdedBook earlyClosures

  Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, and on Good Friday and Easter Sunday most shops must stay shut unless local rules or a tourist-area exemption let them open. New Zealanders make it a long weekend away, so motels, holiday parks and campsites fill. Source ↗

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo (24 Oct – 5 May (usually)), Northern Circuit booked season (25 Oct – 30 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Easter long weekend, Term 1 (April / Easter) break in New Zealand

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Easter long weekend (3–6 Apr), Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo (24 Oct – 5 May (usually)), Northern Circuit booked season (25 Oct – 30 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Hazard

  Crossing in winter conditions

  1 May – 31 Oct · usuallyExtreme cold

  From May to October the Crossing is an alpine route: ice axe, crampons and the skills to use them, or a guide. Most of the rescues here are people who set off in trainers on a clear morning. Source ↗

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo (24 Oct – 5 May (usually))

Busy — Ruapehu ski season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Ruapehu ski season

  15 Jun – 15 Oct · usuallyCrowded

  Whakapapa and Tūroa sit on an active volcano and run from mid-winter into spring, snow allowing. Recent seasons have been short and the opening date is announced late. Source ↗

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Crossing in winter conditions (1 May – 31 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Ruapehu ski season, Term 2 (July) break in New Zealand

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Crossing in winter conditions (1 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Ruapehu ski season (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Ruapehu ski season, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Crossing in winter conditions (1 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Ruapehu ski season (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Ruapehu ski season, Term 3 (Sept/Oct) break in New Zealand

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Crossing in winter conditions (1 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Ruapehu ski season (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Ruapehu ski season, Term 3 (Sept/Oct) break in New Zealand

• Rule

  Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo

  24 Oct – 5 May · usuallyBook early

  In the main season the car park at the start of the Crossing is limited to four hours, which no walker can meet, so a shuttle is effectively compulsory. Book it the night before. Source ↗

• Season

  Northern Circuit booked season

  25 Oct – 30 Apr · usuallyTrail seasonBook early

  The Great Walk huts run on booked, serviced rules from late October to the end of April, and sell out for the holiday weeks in the first days of the booking window in May. Source ↗

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Crossing in winter conditions (1 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Ruapehu ski season (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo (24 Oct – 5 May (usually)), Northern Circuit booked season (25 Oct – 30 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — New Zealand summer holidays, Summer holidays in New Zealand

• Holiday

  New Zealand summer holidays

  20 Dec – 1 Feb · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook early

  Thousands walk the Crossing on a fine January day, in a queue on the Devil's Staircase and a scramble for shuttle seats. Start at first light or pick a weekday. Source ↗

Still on: Volcanic alert level (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo (24 Oct – 5 May (usually)), Northern Circuit booked season (25 Oct – 30 Apr (usually))