Tongariro Activities

LOW ROPES

Take on spider webs, balance logs, rope swings, tyre swings and more! Your teammates will spot you every step of the way, so you can tackle each challenge safely. Helps your group improve communication quickly and become an epic team. 

ABSEILING

Descend a rock face on a rope, controlling your speed with a friction device while your instructor manages a safety rope. We have a bunch of exciting locations in the bush and mountains that help build confidence and stretch your comfort zone. 

CANADIAN CANOEING

Paddle in pairs in your own canoe, or raft two boats together for a little extra stability. Canoes are a great way to travel through and appreciate the local environment. It’s also an excellent way to introduce non-swimmers and participants who fear water to boating. 

FLYING FOX

Zip high above the Mangatepopo River on our impressive flying fox! Then work together to pull each other back across. It is accessible for those who find the physical side of the high ropes difficult, meaning everyone can take part and feel a sense of achievement.

BUSH & CONSERVATION

Practise navigation, river crossings, shelter building and survival skills while learning about the local flora and fauna. You might even help empty and set traps to protect the area’s rare whio (blue ducks), while building cultural and environmental awareness and Leave No Trace habits.

CAVING

Head underground into limestone cave systems! Challenge by choice means you can take a tight squeeze or an easier route, so everyone completes the same journey at a level that suits them. The underground environment fosters communication, trust, and leadership skills.

HIGH ROPES

Take on our purpose-built course of balance beams, high wires, a big swing and team challenges! Your peers will manage your ropes under the watchful eye of your instructor. Learn to give and receive support and take a leap beyond your comfort zone in a trusting environment. 

MOUNTAIN DAY

Spend a day exploring the volcanic landscape. You’ll come away with a real appreciation for the area’s beauty and cultural history! Mountain days are often “Type 2” fun, and you will discover that hard work overtime is what earns the reward.

SEA KAYAKING

Paddle a double sea kayak around on a day trip or an overnight expedition! You’ll learn the basics and capsize drills before you set off to access remote parts of Lake Taupō. The journey can require effort and determination, but it will feel rewarding in the end.

TAWHAI FALLS JUMP

Take the plunge into the moving water below Tawhai Falls, a 13-metre waterfall in Tongariro National Park. It’s also the filming location of Gollum’s pool! Many are apprehensive at first but feel immense satisfaction once they commit and often come back for a second go.

SIT-ON-TOP KAYAKING

Learn skills in a one-person or two-person sit-on-top kayak. Some groups venture up to the weir to try white-water skills in a safe, controlled setting! Seeing the local hydroelectricity scheme up close opens discussion about sustainability and everyday responsibilities. 

ROCK CLIMBING

Take climbing outdoors into the mountains and choose climbs to suit your skills and level of challenge! Your peers will manage your rope under an instructor’s guidance. Clear communication and trust are key, as you belay each other on the way up and down.

INFLATABLE MAVERICK KAYAKING

Hop in a two-person inflatable river kayak and learn skills, rescue techniques, risk management and river safety before heading down the Grade 2 section of the Tongariro River. Expect spills and thrills, and a day you will remember for a long time.

OVERNIGHT EXPEDITION OR LONG DAY

Head out for a night in the bush, mountains, or water to sleep under a fly, in a tent, or even in a snow cave! On a long day, you’ll cook dinner on a camp stove, then head back to base. It is a fantastic finale to your week, where you can use the hard and interpersonal skills you’ve built to the test.