Mount Ruapehu has a remarkable variety of flora and fauna, despite its apparent harsh living conditions.

Walk through mountain beech and podocarp forests and notice the abundance and diversity of forest plants, fungi, and birdlife.

Within the volcanic alpine environment, you can explore tussock lands and wetland areas.

You can see a stunning array of alpine flowers in the summer months - including daisies, hebes, gentians, orchids, sundews, and buttercups.

You can see a variety of birds around Ruapehu. From the forest dwelling tui, rifleman, tomtits and robins, to whio/blue duck on mountain rivers, to pipits and the more rare falcon and kaka.

Kiwi and pekapeka/bats live in the forests too - but don't expect to see them, they are nocturnal and elusive!