Destination guides > Pacific Islands > New Zealand > Manawatu-Wanganui > Ruapehu District > National Park Village
National Park Village
There’s not much to National Park Village, a small town on the main north-south train line. It was set up as an accommodation base for hikers and skiers visiting the national park. It has excellent transport connections and good accommodation, but there’s very little character to the town; a few restaurants and a service station with a minimart make up are about all there is to this place.
But then, it’s all about location here, and you’re right at the doorstep to Tongariro National Park, making it an ideal base for park activities.
Coming & going
The Overlander train stops at National Park Village en route between Auckland and Wellington.
InterCity Coachlines (tel (09) 623 1503) stop at Ski Haus, and some services also stop at Howards Lodge; both on Carroll Street.
There are several shuttle bus services between National Park Village and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing including a daily shuttle operated by Plateau Lodge (tel (07) 892 2993), which costs $25 return.
Hostel accommodation
Adventure Lodge & Motel
Carroll Street, National Park
Tel (07) 892 2991
The Crossing Backpackers
Erua Road East, National Park
Tel (07) 892 2894
Howard’s Lodge
Carroll Street, National Park
Tel (07) 892 2827
National Park Backpackers
Finlay Street, National Park
Tel (07) 892 2870
Plateau Lodge & Motel
Carroll Street, National Park
Tel (07) 892 2993
Pukenui Lodge
1 Millar Street, National Park
Tel (07) 892 2882 or 0800 785 368
Ski Haus
Carroll Street, National Park
Tel (07) 892 2854
Eating & drinking
There are only a few dining restaurants in National Park Village, and none of them are particularly cheap.
The Station (Findlay Street, National Park) is a very nice, slightly upscale joint right by the railway station. Schnapps (corner State Highway 4 & Findlay Street, National Park) is a very popular pub/restaurant. Many of the hostels in town also have on-site bars with food menus. The Ski Haus (Carroll Street, National Park) was in the process of totally revamping its restaurant when we visited, so this might be worth a look. The most backpacker budget-friendly spot in town, Basekamp (Carroll Street, National Park), which does burgers and pizzas, is only open during the winter season.
There’s no supermarket in town, just a mini-mart at the fuel station right at the intersection of State Highways 4 and 47. It closes at 7pm. There’s a small shop at the reception of the National Park Backpackers on Findlay Street with packaged foods and sundries, which is open later. It’s a good idea to stock up on groceries before coming here.
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