The Central Plateau volcanos

Long exposure of the Central Plateau volcanos silhouetted above Lake Taupo as night falls

The Central Plateau volcanos after sunset as seen from Taupo

Rangaitikei River flowing through deep canyons near Managaweka

This stunning canyon view is less than 100m of SH 1in the Manawatu- Whanganui region , the obvious picture taking locations showed only the RHS of the bend but after scouting around , fighting through trees/long grass etc look what I discovered.

Low cloud skipping through the Central Plateau

Changing conditions - When I entered the Desert Rd at the Turangi end there was practically no visibility with dense low cloud, half way through this was the scene and 5 minutes later there wasn't a cloud in the sky .

part of the 360 degree views from the top of the volcano Mt Tuahara on the outskirts of Taupo, This is looking back to the South (the lake is off screen on the right) and Mt Ruapaehu is obscured by cloud about a 1/3rd of the way in from the right

Huge colourful volcanic rocks on Ruapehu

The lookout at the top of Mount Tauhara, a dormant volcano on the outskirts of Taupo. There are 360 views of the local agricultural land, Taupo township itself and this one that catches a bit of the lake as well as the volcanoes in the Central Pateau (if you zoom in)

Ascending a mountain through thick vegetation and native bush

The bush walk and hiking track up Mount Tauhara which is a dormant lava dome volcano ion the outskirts of Taupo

The Central Plateau volcanoes reflected in a crystal ball on the way home from a quick return trip to Cape Reinga

Just another routine shot of the desert road, the simplicty but beauty of it all. I wonder how many tourists have driven through when the weather's closed in and the mountains are not visible at all and they aren't even aware those beautiful volcanic formations are there (I've driven through there sometimes and seen nothing at all)

The snow capped peaks in the desert Road featuring Mount_Ngauruhoe

Dry tussock landscape of the Desert Road

Lush agricultural farmland

Hills and valleys of nothing but rural green farmland and grazing for animals

Turbines on the saddle road between the Wairarapa and Manawatu

A wind farm and turbines generating electricity on the top of the hills coexisting with the animals and nature

Mount Ruapehu peeking over the hills

Mount Ruapehu peeking over the hills

The golden hour off road in the Desert Road

The golden hour off road in the Desert Road

Beauty in a barren lava rock covered volcanic landscape with snow capped volcanoes in the backdrop

Beauty in a barren lava rock covered volcanic landscape with snow capped volcanoes in the backdrop

Natural clean flowing river in the forest of the Central plateau in the highlands

Natural clean flowing river in the forest of the Central plateau in the highlands

Flock of sheep grazing the rolling green farmland and posing for the camera

Flock of sheep grazing the rolling green farmland and posing for the camera