Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bayview Chateau Tongariro
HOTEL $$$
$$$
( 07-892 3809, 0800 242 832;
www.chateau.co.nz
;
Whakapapa Village; d $155-355; )
With its sublime setting and manor house grandeur, this iconic hotel promises as much as
it did when it opened its doors in 1929. Step inside, however, and you will see that its
many charms are somewhat faded. But the Chateau remains one of NZ's most romantic
hotels, complete with high tea in the library, aperitifs in the elegant foyer bar, and even-
ing dining in the grand
Ruapehu Room
(mains $32-38; dinner)
. Other facilities include
two cafes, indoor pool, cinema and nine-hole golf course. Choose from rooms in either
the historic hotel (with greater charm) or the adjacent modern wing.
Tussock
PUB $
(Whakapapa Village; meals $5-18; 3pm-late; )
An agreeable hybrid of the back-blocks
Kiwi pub and ski club rooms, Tussock is a warm and comfortable place to eat a basic
meal (bacon and egg muffins, pizza, burgers), play pool, watch the big game, or admire
the view from the large windows.
Information
Further national park information is available from the i-SITEs in Ohakune (
Click here
),
Turangi (
Click here
)
and Taupo (
Click here
)
.
Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre
( 07-892 3729;
www.doc.govt.nz
; Whakapapa Vil-
lage; 8am-5pm)
Has maps and info on all corners of the park, including walks, huts and
current skiing, track and weather conditions. Its exhibits on the geological and human
history of the area should keep you busy for a couple of hours on a rainy day. The
Walks
in and around Tongariro National Park
brochure provides a helpful overview of 30
walks and tramps in the park ($3).
Getting There & Around
BUS
Tongariro National Park is well serviced by shuttle operators, which service Whakapapa
Village, National Park Village, Ohakune, Taupo and Turangi, as well as popular trail-
heads. In summer, tramping trips are their focus, but in winter most offer ski-field
shuttles. Book your bus in advance to avoid unexpected strandings.
Many shuttle-bus operators are offshoots or affiliates of accommodation providers so
ask about transport when you book your stay. Otherwise, try Taupo-based
Tongariro Ex-
peditions
(
