Image: DOC
Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre.
Whakapapa Village area

Located in Tongariro National Park in the Central North Island region

This alpine village is located within Tongariro National Park, at the base of Mount Ruapehu.

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Dog access
No dogs.

From State Highway 47 going north or south, take the clearly signposted turn-off onto State Highway 48. It is about a 4 hr 30 min drive from either Auckland or Wellington.

Whakapapa Village services

This area includes:

  • visitor centre and DOC office
  • evening dining and bar
  • hiking equipment rental
  • shelter and toilets
  • parking areas – these have a time limit in winter.

Transport and parking in winter

Get information on winter road access, parking in Whakapapa Village, shuttle services and bookable parking for ski areas. 

Tongariro National Park transport and parking in winter.

Weather

Temperatures at the village can be as cold as -10°C or as warm as 25°C. Frosts can occur at any time of the year. Often the overnight temperatures are below freezing in the winter months.

At Whakapapa the annual rainfall is about 2200 mm, while on the Desert Road side it is only 1250 mm.

Often during winter snow falls at the village, and sometimes to lower levels. However for the most part, the winter snowline is above the village.

Find out more about the weather in Tongariro National Park

Dogs are not allowed in Tongariro National Park

No dogs are not allowed in Tongariro National Park including Whakapapa Village, Whakapapa Ski Area or inside vehicles anywhere in the park.

Do not leave your dog in your vehicle when you visit Whakapapa Ski Area.

The national park boundary starts at the intersection of SH 47 and SH 48.Dogs are not allowed past this point. This is before you reach Whakapapa Village.

Find areas outside of the national park where dogs are allowed