Day 13-Tongariro NP

Very cold overnight, no snow in the Whakapapa Village in the Tongariro National Park - despite the fact that the official snow season finished last monday. Snow on Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom in Lord of the Rings for those who are interested).

Whakapapa Village Campsite

Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom) see the smoke from the volcano?

On walk to Taranaki Falls and the falls below:

Mt Ngauruhoe letting off steam.

Walked for 6 km in 2 hours along the Wairere Stream and beech forest to the Taranaki Falls which tumble 22 m over the edge of a large lava flow, which erupted from Ruapehu 15,000 years ago. The waters falls so heavily they have created a circular boulder-ringed pool. Then over heath covered hills back to the Whakapapa Village. 
Walked to Tawhai Falls:

Tawhai Falls

Countryside on the way to Waitomo.

Stayed at Waitomo Caves.  Dinner at Huhu restaurant.