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Whakapapa Visitor Centre

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The Whakapapa Visitor Centre is situated at the main gateway to Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's first national park and presently attracting in excess of one million visitors per annum. The Centre was first established in the 1960s and was redeveloped and re-opened in March 2001.

There are two primary stories portrayed in the centre. These are the original gift of the park in 1887 by Te Heuheu Tukino, the paramount chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa, and the unique volcanic history of the park and it's three main mountains of Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe and Tongariro. These two themes are linked by the World Heritage Status of the park and are further illustrated by the following two audio-visual shows which are played on request.

Whakapapa Visitor Centre

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Features: Audio Visual Shows The Sacred Gift: Features aspects of early history of the region, and brings to life the maori myths of the Park's volcanoes, european settlement of the area, spectacular landscapes and recreational activities within the park. Volcanoes of the South Wind: This dynamic presentation describes the power and unpredictable nature of volcanoes and the earth-building which has shaped the National Park and it's surrounds. You will discover how volcanoes are created and why they are so important to all of us.
Facilities: The centre offers: high quality visitor information and orientation interpretative displays two audio-visual shows quality merchandise weather and ski reports track updates hut tickets maps walk information