Egmont National Park - North Island, New Zealand

Egmont National Park forms a ten km radius around the base of Mt Taranaki with a variety of vegetation at different heights. The easiest access to the mountain is from the base of North Egmont.

From the East Egmont base, you can reach higher up the mountain by road. Dawson Falls is a great place for alpine hiking and accommodation. There is a main visitor centre at North Egmont.

As you go hiking higher up on the mountain, the weather is extremely fickle and changes without notice. You have to get the latest updated weather report at the DOC or Visitor Centre before setting out on the climb.

You are advised to take warm clothing in any season and be accompanied by a friend or mountain guide.

Egmont National Park Accommodation

There is accommodation available on the mountain slopes close to all three bases. Daytime visits to the Park can be made from New Plymouth. For an extended hike, you can find accommodation within the Park.

You can reach the bases by car in less than an hour's drive. There are shuttle services departing daily from New Plymouth for North Egmont and return in the evening to the city centre.

Egmont National Park Activities

There are a range of guided walks offering summer bush walking and guided summit treks for groups of up to ten people. In winter, guides will take only two clients for winter expeditions, rock climbing or instruction.

The easiest access to the Egmont National Park from New Plymouth is via the village of New Egmont, 13 kms southeast of New Plymouth. The sealed road runs up the mountain to North Egmont regarded the best base for scaling the summit.

Before attempting to ascend the summit, make sure you make a call to the DOC or Visitor Centre to get the latest weather update.

Some of the good short walks in North Egmont are Ngatoro Loop Track and Veronica Loop Track offering stunning views. North Egmont has limited water supply so it is important to carry water with you on your tramp.

Basic backpacker style accommodation is available at North Egmont in the Camp House, Rahiri Cottage and a campsite in The Missing Leg.

East Egmont is the base that provides access to higher ranges of the mountain by road. The 14 km Pembroke Road runs from Stratford to the west of East Egmont and a further 3.5 kms to The Plateau, a rugged location 1172 metres high on the mountain. In winter it is the carpark for the Manganui Skifield.

Some of the popular walking tracks in East Egmont are Curtis Falls Track and Enchanted Track, the former leading to a waterfall and the latter reaching The Plateau.

The accommodation in East Egmont is well catered for in the Mountain House with a quality Swiss restaurant and Anderson's Alpine Lodge at the edge of the Egmont National Park.

Dawson Falls, 23 kms southwest of Stratford and 900 metres above sea level provides the southern most access to the Egmont National Park. There is a Dawson Falls Visitor Centre.

This is a tough trail to the summit and is meant only for experienced climbers. There are other shorter easier treks starting from the Visitor Centre.

The seventeen metre high Dawson Falls is a must see location. This lies on the Kapuni Walk. Some of the other interesting trails are the Wilkies Pool and Hasties Hill accessing the view of the Kaupokoponui Falls.

Dawson Falls provides good budget accommodation at Konini Lodge. The Dawson Falls Mountain Lodge is pricey with a restaurant and a daytime cafe.

The two major summit routes that demand a day's hike and an early morning start are the Pouakai Circuit and the tough Around the Mountain Circuit.

LooknbookNZ can take care of your Egmont National Park accommodation and Egmont National Park activities bookings and let you and your family/friends to have a memorable hiking experience in Mt Egmont National Park.