Viewpoint · Desert Road & Rangipō

Desert Road viewpoints

The classic drive-by panorama of all three volcanoes across the tussock plains.

The 50 km of SH1 between Tūrangi and Waiouru climbs to 1,074 m and runs the length of the Rangipō Desert, with lay-bys that frame Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe and Tongariro across the plains. Snow-capped volcanoes over golden tussock at dawn is the park’s signature photograph.

❄ The road itself closes a few times each winter when snow falls on the summit at 1,074 m.