Urewera National Park (492,763 acres) surrounds Lake Waikaremoana and is rich in Maori history. It is the largest remaining area of unspoiled native forest in the North Island. Kiwi, kaka, and most other native birds are found throughout.

Egmont National Park (82,280 acres) contains one of the world's most symmetrical mountains, the extinct volcanic cone of Mount Egmont (8,260 ft), and includes land within a 6-mile radius of the mountain. It varies from heavily forested lower slopes to the bare scoria, rock, snow, and ice of the upper levels.

Tongariro National Park (163,356 acres) includes three volcanoes – Mount Ruapehu (9,175 ft), the highest in the North Island and active at times; Ngauruhoe (7,515 ft), constantly active; and Tongariro (6,517 ft), mildly active. Mount Ruapehu is the ski-ing playground of the North Island. These regions are surrounded by native forests, open grassland, and sub-alpine vegetation.