Whakapapa Village to top of mountain

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CrashAndBurn

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Topic # 239309 11-Jul-2018 19:38

We are planning to go to Mt Ruapehu this weekend. Based on the reports this past few days, 4WD with chains is required from Whakapapa going up. My question is what options do we have given one of the cars is not 4WD. Is there a shuttle to go up which would allow us to park in Whakapapa village and avoid the need use chains? I tried to search online but can only see shuttle service from National Park.

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 2054527 11-Jul-2018 19:43

There are shuttles for both Whakapapa and turoa go to mtruapehu.com. We went up today to turoa in a shuttle way better than taking the car. Bloody cold though up the mountain

CrashAndBurn

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Reply # 2054543 11-Jul-2018 19:49

I have seen mtruapehu.com but there is no mention of a shuttle from the bottom of Bruce Road to the top. What I was thinking is that we can drive safely all the way to Whakapapa Village. And in the event that 4WD/Chains is required to drive on Bruce Road then we can just take the shuttle. The one on the website says the park and ride option is from National Park which is still about 30 minutes away.

Stu1

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Reply # 2054555 11-Jul-2018 20:13

CrashAndBurn:
I have seen mtruapehu.com but there is no mention of a shuttle from the bottom of Bruce Road to the top. What I was thinking is that we can drive safely all the way to Whakapapa Village. And in the event that 4WD/Chains is required to drive on Bruce Road then we can just take the shuttle. The one on the website says the park and ride option is from National Park which is still about 30 minutes away.

Does say from the village only 6k drive or shuttle, it’s been really icy the last couple of days at Turoa and chains have been required.
https://www.roam.net.nz/

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 2054565 11-Jul-2018 20:27

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Shuttles run from across the road from the Chateau. Easy peasy

CrashAndBurn

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Reply # 2054566 11-Jul-2018 20:28

That is exactly what I was looking for. The shuttle from Whakapapa Village, but I cant seem to find much info about it. My worry is that we drive all the way to Whakapapa Village thinking that there is a shuttle then to be told that the shuttle only picks up passengers from National Park.

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 2054575 11-Jul-2018 20:38

Yeah the website is surprisingly vague, best phone them before you turn up to be sure.
Www.Ruapehu.com.
We'll be there from Wednesday.

SpartanVXL

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Reply # 2055195 12-Jul-2018 16:24

On a related note, how is the park and ride from National Park? Was thinking of renting in the town and shuttling to and back.

I'll be sure of the schedule so I won't miss the last bus but am unsure of people traffic/park space/rental gear availability in the town. Anybody have experience staying over in NP and doing this?

CrashAndBurn

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Reply # 2055200 12-Jul-2018 16:31

Just heard back from Whakapapa I Site and we will most likely just park in National Park and take the shuttle. The shuttle from NP is $6 per person return. The one from Whakapapa Village $20. There is also a parking limit of 3 hours at the village.

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 2055227 12-Jul-2018 17:41

Wow, they *really* *don't* want people to drive up to Whakapapa Village!

SpartanVXL

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Reply # 2059427 20-Jul-2018 16:28

How was the trip? Will be going down soon so hope the NP park n' shuttle isn't too bad.

CrashAndBurn

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Reply # 2059477 20-Jul-2018 17:14

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I highly suggest the shuttle. Best if you can get the first trip. We were there around 7:30am. The bus is scheduled for 8:15 but left early once full. You just park then go to the kiosk to buy tickets.