NEW ZEALAND ~ Tongariro Crossing - Tongariro National Park - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful view of the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing of approximately 19.4 kilometres... with Mount Ngauruhoe an active stratovolcano in the background known as "Mount Doom" from the film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings"... classed as one of the best day hikes in the world and most certainly the best if you want to see some of the most wonderful landscapes that New Zealand has to offer... from atop this magnificent walk hikers enjoy a 360 view of the iconic Emerald Lakes, Mount Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, the sacred Blue Lake, the Mars-like Rangipo desert and striking Red Crater, the highest point (1886m) on the track... with lovely special Johnsonville Post Shop native bird cancellation... an ideal pair with the round Kiwi stamp... Thanks a lot Helen!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photos: Nathalie Letullier
Tongariro National Park is situated in the middle of the North Island, in the Ruapehu Districts and covering almost 80.000 hectares. The park was established in 1887, making it the oldest national park in New Zealand. There are three active volcanoes in Tongariro National Park including Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe. The summits of these volcanoes are considered sacred.

UNESCO designated Tongariro National Park as a mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Site in 1990.

 

Stamp:

Birds - Kiwi

(Issued 03-09-2025)