Taranaki Falls

Despite their name these falls are not found in the Taranaki region, but on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park.

Doesn't he look grumpy after his walk to Taranaki Falls?

After leaving Tongariro Holiday Park we decided to head for Whakapapa Village and see if we could find a park big enough for Gypsy Rover, so that we could attempt the 2 hour round trip to Taranaki Falls.  We were lucky to find a park behind the Chateau Tongariro and after changing into our walking shoes we headed off.

Home of the Tongariro ChateauChateau Tongariro on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu at Whakapapa Village.

We had been advised by a couple of German tourists that there are two ways to do the round trip.  They advised walking past the first entrance and heading further up the hill to the second.

Off he goesBoards covering part of the swampy area of the walk.

This was good advice as the trip is easier walking from this end.  We walked passed several tourists struggling on their way to the falls as they had started at the other end. 

Rare Mountain Daisy on the slopes of Mount RuapehuWouldn't stand there if I was you!

We had no problems and the reason for the advice was there are 130 steps by the falls that are easier to descend than ascend.

Mount Ruapehu slopes - only a trickle at the moment.

Our timing was pretty well spot on too, just over 2 hours later we arrived back at the motorhome and headed off for the Marton NZMCA camp.  We were lucky there as we managed to occupy the last site available. The place was fuller than we have ever seen before. Shows what a popular place it is.