http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24567
Take sidetrips to climb Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. The latter is a bloody difficult and initially disheartening scramble up nothing but scree. 2.5 hours up, 20 minutes down. Still, I've been able to tell my friends ever since that I climbed Mt. Doom.

The Emerald Lakes also bear a mention. That whole region is magical... no other word for it. Let's hope Ruapehu doesn't go off again and cover the whole area in ash and lava...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24567