Mountains of New Zealand

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New Zealand's
Most
Incredible
Mountains

2. INTRODUCTION

• New Zealand is surrounded by breathtaking
backdrops and all-round idyllic attractions.
With wondrous peaks soaring sky way up
high, both islands are set to amaze all
passing visitors who get to see its majestic
mountains. Prepare to be inspired as we
head on a journey across some of the
country’s most incredible landscapes.

3. MT TARANAKI

• Also known as Mount Egmont,
Mount Taranaki is a quiescent
stratovolcano on the west coast
of the North Island. Soaring up
high at a majestic 2,518 metres
(8,261 feet), the mountain has
one of the most symmetrical
volcanic cones in the world.
• A semblance to Japan’s Mount
Fuji has also given Mt Taranaki
a bit of cinematic acclaim – if
you’ve seen the Tom Cruise
blockbuster The Last Samurai,
this is where those mountain
backdrops were actually filmed.

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5. THE REMARKABLES

• The aptly-named Remarkables
are a mountain range and ski
field in Otago. They adorn the
southeastern shores of Lake
Wakatipu, creating an impressive
backdrop for its closest township
– Queenstown. The range’s
highest point is Double Cone,
which has a height of 2319
metres (7608 feet).
• There are number of lakes dotted
around the Remarkables,
including the glacial Lake Alta
which freezes over the winter
months, thus transforming into
one of the area’s prime skiing
and snowboarding destinations.

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7. AORAKI/MT COOK

• With a height of 3,724 metres
(12,218 feet), the snow-capped
Aoraki/Mt Cook is the highest
mountain in New Zealand. Part of
the Southern Alps, a range that
stretches across the entire South
Island, the mountain is made up of
three distinct summits that
neighbour the Tasman Glacier to
the east and the Hooker Glacier to
the southwest.
• Aoraki/Mt Cook is a popular
destination for experienced
mountaineers looking for a
challenge – in fact, before
ascending to the summit of Mount
Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary went
on an expedition to conquer his
homeland’s most difficult glacial
climb.

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9. MT TASMAN

• Mount Tasman is New
Zealand’s second highest
mountain, rising to a
respectable 3,497 metres
(11,473 feet). You’ll find it just
north of Aoraki/Mt Cook in the
Southern Alps. Its location is
actually quite interesting: Mt
Tasman sits on the South
Island’s Main Divide, which is
the politically-established
boundary between the
Canterbury and West Coast
regions. As with Aoraki/Mt
Cook, Mt Tasman is a favourite
among avid climbers.

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11. MT NGAURUHOE

• Mt Ngauruhoe has earned
international acclaim after being
selected to depict Mount Doom
in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
This active statrovolcano is the
youngest vent among the
Tongariro volcanic complex, first
erupting some 2,500 years ago. It
is surrounded by Mt Tongariro to
the north, Mt Ruapehu to the
south and Rangipo Desert to the
west.
• Ngauruhoe has erupted 45 times
in the 20th Centrury, the most
recent being in 1974. Sulphurious
gases are still being emitted from
the crater – climbers with asthma
have been known to be affected
by this.

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13. MOUNT ASPIRING/TITITEA

• Set within Otago’s Mt Aspiring
National Park, Tititea/Mt Aspiring is
the highest mountain outside of the
Aoraki section of the Southern Alps.
Its pyramidal peak rises to 3,033
metres (9,951 feet) in height, and is
the inspiration for the mountain’s
Maori nomenclature: Tititea can be
translated as ‘Glistening Peak’.
• Climbers usually scale Mt Aspiring
via West Matukituki Valley, located
50 kilometres (31.1 miles) from the
national park’s nearest town, Wanaka.
The mountain also lies near three
major glacial systems: the Bonar
Glacier, which drains into the
Waipara River, and the Therma
Glaciers, both of which drain into the
Waitoto River.

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15. MITRE PEAK

• Mitre Peak is probably one of
the most iconic South Island
mountains. It lies on the
shores of the Milford Sound,
which is largely revered for
its hiking terrain and sublime
scenery. A distinctive peak
shape that largely resembles a
Christian bishop’s mitre is
what gives this mountain its
name. Mite Peak has a height
of 1,690 metres (5,560 feet)
and is very difficult to climb.
Boat cruises are the best way
to see this natural wonder
from up close.

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17. MOUNT TARAWERA

• Mount Tarawera was responsible for
one of the largest volcanic eruptions
in New Zealand’s history. This North
Island volcano is situated just 24
kilometres (14.9 miles) outside of
Rotorua, and consists of an aweinducing series of lava dome fissures
that were melded by its most recent
– and most destructive – eruption,
which occurred in 1886 and took the
lives of approximately 120 people.
• These days, the Tarawera Trail is one
of best ways to get familiar with this
mountain’s landscape and
significance. There are also guided
tours around Mt Tarawera for those
who want to get a bit of local insight
into the majestic volcanic wonder
they’re seeing.

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19. MAUAO/MOUNT MAUNGANUI

• Mauao or Mount Maunganui is an
extinct volcanic cone that is
considered to be sacred (tapu) by the
Maori tribe (iwi) in the area. The
name Mauao literally translates as
‘caught by the morning sun’, and
comes from a legend in which a
nameless mountain, spurned by
unrequited love, begged some fairylike creatures to drag him into the
ocean so he can end all his misery.
• As the morning sun’s rays struck the
magical creatures, they fled – leaving
the once-nameless mountain on the
place where it resides today. Mauao is
located in the peninsula and town of
Mount Maunganui, along the eastern
end of the Tauranga Harbour, and its
summit sits 232 metres (761 feet)
above sea level.

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