Appearance
Egmont National Park is in Taranaki, New Zealand.
Understand
History
The park was established in 1900.
Landscape
The park is dominated by the dormant volcano of Taranaki, also known as Mount Egmont. The 9.6-km-radius reserve is surrounded by pasture on all around, giving it a distinct circular shape.
Flora and fauna
43 species of birds are found in the park, including the North Island brown kiwi, blue ducks (whio) and fernbird.
Climate
Get in
Fees and permits
Egmont National Park, like all New Zealand national parks, is free to enter.
Get around
See
- 1 Dawson Falls (Around 400m from the visitor centre.). The waterfall is around two meters wide and has a drop of 18 m.
- 2 Bells Falls. 30 meters high waterfall. If you want to visit from the east, park in Newall, take the 1 Puniho Track. , then it's around 4 hour walk via the round-the-mountain circuit.
- 3 Ahukawakawa Swamp. An around 3500 year old swamp, particularly interesting for botanists, with over 260 species of higher plants recorded.
Do
- 1 Mount Taranaki. The central stratovolcano is accessible from east side - e.g. from the visitor centres at Dawson Falls or 2 North Egmont. Climb from west side is possible, but there are no access roads there. Research shows the probability of eruption is around 40% until 2070.
- 2 Monganui Ski Area. A smaller (~1km in length) ski resort right at the foot of the volcano. Accessible by road via 3 East Egmont. .
- 3 Pouakai Circuit. This circuit track "starts" in North Egmont and will take you to the Pouakai peak.
- 4 Fanthams Peak. Secondary peak of the volcano, on the rout to the main summit from Dawson Falls.