We embarked on the this beautiful track with the kids in tow (2yrs old) in their Macpac possum's.

The landscape and variety of mountain and rolling farm hills off to the distance make this walk an absolute stunner. The volcanic nature of the terrain and the cascading waterfalls, with the amazing colours in the rocks are something we have never seen on any other walk. The kids loved the views and we had a long lunch at the Mangatururturu Hut where the kids ran around and played in the alpine bush and run along boadwalk platforms. We didn't walk all the way into Lake Surprise, but we thoroughly enjoyed the track and even though its an in and out on the same track, the climb out was just as interesting as you have completely different views. It took about 3hrs. We will certainly be back to take in the views from Lake Surprise as we hear the reflection of Mt Ruapehu in the lake is magnificent.

Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in May 2012