Howard has moved on, but he’s left his legacy in this large, freshly decorated lodge with spa, two comfortable lounges with supersized TVs, and spotless, well-equipped kitchens. Dorms are relatively roomy, and have between three to eight beds. For outdoor action, there are plenty of skis, snowboards, tramping gear and mountain bikes for hire. Howard’s also runs shuttle services around the park. Book InterCity buses and inter-island ferries here.
Howard’s Lodge
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
11.76 MILES
Mt Ruapehu (2797m) is the North Island's highest mountain and one of the world’s most active volcanoes. One year-long eruption began in March 1945,…
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18.93 MILES
For some peaceful moments away from the mountains, consider a walk to this bush-smothered lake, the centrepiece of the Lake Rotokura Ecological Reserve,…
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12.81 MILES
Northeast of Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe (2287m) is the national park's youngest volcano and the most classically perfect in its conical shape. Its first…
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25.9 MILES
At the southern end of the town, in a large, almost-Stalinist concrete castle, is the National Army Museum. Proclaimed as ‘history without the boring bits…
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23.77 MILES
With no roads on either side, you don't need to be a genius to decipher this bridge's name. Originally built so that horses could cross the river to…
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Tongariro National Trout Centre
24.57 MILES
Around 4km south of Tūrangi, this DOC-managed trout centre has a hatchery, an underwater viewing chamber, a museum with polished educational displays, a…
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13.16 MILES
Ongoing rumbles are reminders that all the volcanoes in this area are very much in the land of the living. In 2012 Te Maari, a crater on Mt Tongariro …
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Nearby Taupo & the Ruapehu Region attractions
3.55 MILES
The Raurimu Spiral, 30km south of town, is a unique feat of railway engineering that was completed in 1908 after 10 years of work. Rail buffs can…
11.76 MILES
Mt Ruapehu (2797m) is the North Island's highest mountain and one of the world’s most active volcanoes. One year-long eruption began in March 1945,…
12.81 MILES
Northeast of Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe (2287m) is the national park's youngest volcano and the most classically perfect in its conical shape. Its first…
13.16 MILES
Ongoing rumbles are reminders that all the volcanoes in this area are very much in the land of the living. In 2012 Te Maari, a crater on Mt Tongariro …