Exploring Lake Rotopounamu
Lake Rotopounamu is located inside Tongariro National Park, a short drive from Tūrangi. This picturesque lake lies below Pīhanga, a mountain standing at 1,326 metres. The name talks to the colour, which is reminiscent of pounamu (greenstone), with the lake reflecting the surrounding green forest.
Māori Connections
Pīhanga is a smaller sibling to the more famous volcanoes in Tongariro National Park. In Māori mythology, Pīhanga was the female mountain over whom Taranaki and Tongariro fought. Taranaki lost the battle and retreated to its current location in the southwest.
Walking Trails and Activities
You can enjoy a relatively short walk to Lake Rotopounamu, involving a 120-metre climb to reach the lake, which is over 700 metres above sea level. The trail winds through a beautiful section of native rainforest. At the fork, continue down to a lakeside beach and return the same way. This walk takes about 40 minutes, and you can extend your visit with a picnic or a swim if the weather is warm.
For a longer walk, a circuit around the lake takes approximately two hours. This route passes several beaches and sections of rainforest, and provides a more comprehensive exploration of the area.
Unique Flora and Fauna
The forest sections around Lake Rotopounamu feature excellent signage about native plants. Keep an eye out for the Pāhau Kākāpō, the tallest growing moss in the world, which reaches 40 to 50 cm. This educational aspect of the walk makes it a superb way to break up a long drive.
How to Get There
To reach Lake Rotopounamu, head south from Turangi on State Highway 47. The lake is just a few minutes' drive with a large, clearly marked parking area opposite the access track. From Auckland, the drive is 4 hours and 324 km, and from Wellington, the drive is 4 hours and 332 km.
Nearby places to visit include Lake Rotoaira, Te Porere Redoubt, Mahuia Rapids, Tawhai Falls and the Bruce Road on the side of Mt Ruapehu. The Tongariro Crossing is also in the vicinity.
