뉴질랜드 타우포 산악의 데저트로드 - 북섬 최고의 드라이브 도로

뉴질랜드 북섬 타우포 남쪽의 센트랄 플라투(Central Plateau Region) 지역  사진입니다.

이 지역은  Volcanic Loop Highway -  특히 이 중에서 Desert Road 구간은 뉴질랜드 화산 활동 결과로 형성된 

특이한 사막형태의 산악 지형을 잘 보여주는 곳입니다.  

 

통가리로산, 나우루호이산, 그리고 루하페후산 등 3개의 멋진 산들을 도로에서 끼고 드라이브 할 수 있는 

뉴질랜드에서 가장 멋진 산악 도로로 유명합니다. 

 

물론 겨울철 폭설로 인해 이 구간의 도로는 자주 폐쇄가 되기도 하므로 이 구간 여행 전엔 반드시 일기예보 등을 참고해야 됩니다.

 

올 겨울 - 7월 방학 중 루하페후산 화카파파 스키장과 눈썰매장 가족 여행중에 이 길로 드라이브 합니다. 

7월 타우랑가 가족 여행에도 참가 신청해주세요~  

 

 

 The North Island Volcanic Plateau is a volcanic plateau covering much of the central North Island of New Zealand. Extensive ignimbrite sheets spread east and west of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, from the three active peaks of Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Ruapehu in the south, past the dormant super-volcano, Lake Taupo, and beyond Rotorua to the north.

The area is loosely called the Desert Road - it is a harsh wild plateau of 2500 ft with Ngauruhoe rising to 7500 ft and Ruapehu 9000 ft. Like many alpine areas a change in the weather arrives suddenly; indeed 15 years ago a group of soldiers doing a cold weather survival course perished in the extreme conditions that prevail.

Ruapehu offers the best skiing in the North Island with 3 separate resorts. In 1995/6 there was a major erruption which closed Auckland Airport almost 400 K's away. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn on the Rangipo Desert in The Central Plateau Region of New Zealand.

This area receives about 2000 mm avg rainfall a year. It's desert like barrenness is due to winds and poor soil conditions.

Black Gate of Mordor scenes from Lord of the Rings were shot in the Rangipo Desert. 

(영화 '반지의 제왕' 모르도르 장면 중 블랙 게이트는 데저트 로드 중에 보이는 랑기포 사막에서 촬영됐다)

 

 

Waiouru (와이오우루)-   뉴질랜드에서 가장 사막에 가까운 신비한 산악 지형을 경험하기 위해서는 타우포에서 1번국도를 타고 와이오우루로 가는 도로에서 찾을 수 있다.  

 

State Highway one winds through a bleak windswept tussock plain called the Rangipo Desert. This is a unique alpine semi-desert, with the forbidding appearance of a wild desolate wasteland. To the east it merges with the densely forested foothills of the Kaimanawa Ranges. To the west there is no horizon, as the landscape and sky are overwhelmed by the monumental outline of Mt. Ruapehu. Dark canyons and shadowy scree slopes tumble from the snow-capped peaks and merge with the indistinct landforms of the plain.

맑은 날이면 도로 오른쪽으로 웅장한 루아페후산이 계속 보이므로, 잠깐 차를 세우고 사진을 찍어볼만한 도로다.
The majestic grandeur of Ruapehu is a powerfully moving sight especially on a clear day. It is well worth a photo stop to capture the changing moods of the mountain. Sometimes the peace and solitude is disturbed by armoured vehicles on manoeuvres near the ‘Desert Road’. Waiouru is home to the New Zealand Army’s largest military base. The training area parallels the highway for 35 km and extends from Ruapehu’s snowline to the Rangitikei River 30 km to the east.

Waiouru at 815 metres above sea level has ice-cold winters and stifling hot summers. The township consists of a small cluster of hotels, tearooms and service stations along the highway. There is one imposing concrete structure that catches the eye. At first sight this striking edifice, with rampant tanks guarding its entrance, lacks aesthetic appeal. Perhaps its fort-like appearance is appropriate for what really is an outstanding museum.

The Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum features excellent static displays of New Zealand’s military heritage. It tells the history of New Zealand Army campaigns in all theatres of war, up to our present day role in overseas peacekeeping missions. The realistic displays include ‘Tears of Greenstone’, a dramatic memorial wall, which is the largest greenstone structure in the Southern Hemisphere.

The wild, desolate places of the central Volcanic Plateau have a mystique and magic of their own. This shaky portion of the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ offers up some memorable landscapes.

 

출처  http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/destinations/waiouru.html