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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 3 (July 1, 1932)

Tongariro's Wonders

Tongariro's Wonders.

The facilities for exploring Tongariro mountain, with its numerous craters, its blue lake, and its innumerable hot springs, have been increased lately by page 39 the extension of roading on the western slopes of the range in order to give easier access to Ketetahi. This great gulch of geysers, fumaroles and boiling pools, on the flank of the old battered volcano at an altitude of nearly 4,800 feet, is the most active thermal place in the Tongariro National Park, and it is, moreover, a potential spa, for the dark-coloured stream that drains the nest of puias is a water of healing. Pakehas and Maoris crippled with rheumatism have been cured by a course of Ketetahi bathing. But conditions are rough at present; what is needed there is a comfortable little accommodation-house.

In the meantime Ketetahi is a particularly interesting corner for the amateur explorer, with just enough danger about it to compel caution. We used to ride up from the Maori village at Otukou, passing through that alpine settlement of native sheep-farmers, Papakai, with its sheltering. belt of bush, and tether our horses in a tussock gully just below Ketetahi. Really Tongariro mountain itself is the most attractive part of the great Park for those who like to “potter round” and avoid the exertions of the “Excelsior” Brotherhood.