National Park Village

We left Waitomo reasonably early on the Tuesday morning and headed south to the National Park Village in the Whakapapa District where we were staying overnight at the Plateau Lodge prior to our Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We had plenty of time so we drove past Lake Taupo and were enthralled with its deep blue colour and mountains backdrop. However before leaving we decided to do the three hour Ruakuri Walk which left from the Waitomo Glowworm Caves as we wanted a little exercise. This lovely loop walk took us through a forest covered gorge alongside the gurgling Waitomo stream and passed numerous small caves. These caves and the amazing sculptured rock outcrops and tunnels along the path were formed over millennia by the powerful and relentless action of water on limestone. At one stage we walked over a fabulous little suspension bridge, but the real highlight of the walk was the Ruakuri Natural Tunnel with its spectacular high ceiling cave and the Waitomo Stream flowing into it. When our eyes adjusted to the darkness we could see quite large stalactites and stalagmites. This reserve has strong spiritual and cultural significance to Maoris and was a very pleasant way to begin our drive south.