Lake Rotopounamu
Rotopounamu
A 'green gem lake' at the foot of Mount Pihanga, surrounded by virgin forest. Birdsong is constant along the 5 km lakeside trail.
Lake Rotopounamu sits in an exclave on the northern side of the national park, next to State Highway 47 between Tongariro and Lake Taupō. The lake is surrounded by untouched podocarp and beech forest, where native birds such as the New Zealand pigeon and the fantail are common. The lakeside track is about 5 km long and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. It is flat and easy, with several small beaches for resting. Entry is free. The self-drive car park is by the roadside, about 15 minutes' drive from Turangi.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Tokaanu Thermal Pools
- Tongariro National Trout Centre
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Tongariro Northern Circuit
- Mount Ngauruhoe
- Tama Lakes
- Taranaki Falls
- Whakapapa Village & Visitor Centre