Tongariro National Trout Centre

Positive experience: Did the kids fishing package-$60 which was good fun and they prepped and smoked the small fish the kids caught which was tasty. $22 entry fee per adult however which I find overpriced as there isn't a huge amount to do here unless your watching your kids fish. Friendly staff.

Negative experience: The attraction itself is great - but it cost our family of four $68 (plus an additional $10 on fish food). This is wildly overpriced for what you get - a walk around a gravel path and looking at some fish. Compare this to the National Army Museum which we visited earlier today and paid $35.

Fantastic experience: Kids fishing is super fun and the trout tasted amazing!!! 100% recommend

Negative experience: Not worth it, run down and almost empty. If this is the normal case or off season then the price needs to reflect that. I live locally and thought this is riping tourist and locals off.

Fantastic experience: It was a great activity for kids to try rainbow trout fishing. Their school holiday kids trout fishing package was great experience. Depends on your expectation, waiting time can be vary , depends on how many volunteers angler on duty. Also kids waiting queue. Adult require to pay entry fee for extra to accompany with their kids as you don’t want to miss the photo moment and enjoy the delicious trout your kids/ grandkids caught fresh out of water. They can either packed them with ice for you bring home to cook OR smoke and filet for you for FREE to eat in house ( outside the sitting area ). Drinks and ciabatta loaf are available for purchase. A good track walk to see wild trout ( buy a trout food for $5 ). Self tour and enjoy the environment. Online booking for time slot/date are recommended! Free parking and short walk to the centre.

Fantastic experience: 10/10 recommend this place, fantastic staff and a great experience. Our child loved fishing, catching and eating his smoked trout. He can’t wait to get out fishing again.

Fantastic experience: So well maintained, not a wingle weed the grounds are gorgeous, excellent staff and experience. My son caught a trout, with a very patient angler as teacher for him, it was cooked up for us and it was delicious. Excellent value for money. I also loved chatting to the anglers, just nice down to earth staff. Great experience all round.

Negative experience: Parts of the experience were closed. We arrived with 1 hr to enjoy and I’m not sure it was worth the money. What we did see was interesting though.

Fantastic experience: Went there for the school holiday program - fishing: from providing all the tools to smoking the fish for you It was great and the advice on fishing was easy to understand for kids. There were a few places to explore at the center as well. Would recommend spending 1-2 hours there

Fantastic experience: Great place to visit and support. I had an amazing time visiting it with family. Thanks and special shout out to the volunteers supporting in its operations. Do support the cause by donating to it.

Negative experience: First time for myself and daughter except wife who had visited in the early 90's when she was younger.Honestly not worth the entry vs value cost $20 Adult $14 Child ,greeted nicely at the start just pretty much told walk this way to the museum and fish tanks in the other side no really guidance at all you pretty much have to find your way around ,no map nothing.We did enjoy watching the men catch the fish practically and kids net them not quite sure you would call it kids fishing then again charging $60 for this activity overpriced . $7 for a Sausage Sizzle the list goes on . This place certainly is a tourist trap and overpriced for your average kiwis to enjoy .C'mon team this place has got alot of potential just needs some fresh ideas at the top .

Fantastic experience: Lovely place, with lots of interesting illustrations. Easy circular walk for everyone.

Fantastic experience: Well worth a visit to learn more about the history of the introduction of trout in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It was fascinating seeing the growing trout in different stages, plus feeding the trout in the river and seeing them from the underwater viewing area. The river walk is an easy walk through native bush and kereru, tui, piwakawaka and the rifleman were just some of the birds that were easily spotted in the trees close to us. Friendly informative staff too.

Negative experience: Would not recommend - at least not this month or for that price. Very disappointed in tanks - few fish and don’t seem cared for. Nothing really seemed to be “running” at this time, yet it is still $20 NZD/person.

Fantastic experience: A cracking few hours, kids get to learn to flyfish and catch a trout, and then they smoke it and feed it to you..... And you learn all about trout and the history..... You have to book your slot though, so make sure you've taken care of that before you head out.

Positive experience: Very quiet. Some parts not active or closed. Could have been better but the explanations on the panels were clear and informative. In need of renovation.

Fantastic experience: If you are into fishing you will enjoy this place. They also run great holiday program showing children how to catch Trout and when they have caught one it is then smoked for to eat, great value totally recommend, i ve taken my granddaughters there twice, they love it...

Fantastic experience: Awesome place - great view of all of the trout. Feeding the trout in the kids pond is good fun!

Fantastic experience: We visited quite late in the day, and they were happy to accommodate us into the Centre.

Fantastic experience: My son got to do a spot of trout fishing, the instructors were very helpful and thorough, all fish caught were weighed, measured, filleted and smoked and a certificate awarded afterwards :-) order your tickets online as spots are limited when busy!!! A great time had by all

Fantastic experience: We purchased 2 kids fishing packages as well as 2 adult admission. The kids thoroughly enjoyed their fishing experience and even better it was smoked for us and we got to enjoy it on some ciabatta bread and it was divine.

Positive experience: If you have never seen a Trout, go here. Lovely walks through bush and streams whilst checking out the lifecycles of this fish

Positive experience: Great place to take the kids to learn about our new Zealand grown and farmed Trouts , quiet staff with rough attitude , clearer signs to show that there is an admission fee of the museum

Positive experience: Very worthwhile centre, excellent displays and informative staff. Some aquarium displays were bare. Excellent underwater viewing of the creek with trout in it.

Negative experience: Disappointing as they now charge for u to walk around the hatchery, overpriced for what there is to look at.

Fantastic experience: Amazingly awesome would do it again and try a trout to eat never had one before but my visits X 3 thoroughly enjoyed every moment and the history back in the ol the whole walk along the river was cool the site of seeing the sizes of the trout blown away. To those whom are travelling Turangi from our of square stop in and have a kit kat break it's worth it.

Fantastic experience: Very interesting exhibition if you are into fishing. Buy the trout pellets and feed the trout, it’s worth it. Keep a few pellets for the big trout under the bridge on the way back.

Positive experience: I thought it was a touch expensive for what we got to experience. A pleasant self guided walk where you can feed the trout. Without a doubt the best $5 I have ever spent was on a sausage sizzle at the end. Massive size and well cooked.

Fantastic experience: A quick stop off to visit our daughter who is helping out with the take a kid fishing holiday programme. Delicious smoked trout is the end product for each child/family. Well done team.

Positive experience: Interesting especially for the children. Good video of making a fly which they found fascinating

Negative experience: Pretty expensive for what you see. Loads of good history and information inside if your right into trout fishing. The walk outside took about 20mins including the kids catching a fish. The only pond we could see was the kids fishing one, the others were closed. $20 adult entry, $50 to catch a fish which is ontop of general entry.

Positive experience: Kids like fishing and the smoked trout is yummy. To be honest not too many views and things to do compared to the price.

Positive experience: The Tongaroro National Trout Centre has wild rainbow trout in a creek near the center. It is very educational for children and fishermen. The trout were introduced from California. The trout have become self sustaining. This hatchery doesn't release trout to the wild, but puts the hatched trout into a pond for children to enjoy catching fish.

Fantastic experience: The trout are numerous (like thousands!!). It's fun watching the kids fish and actually catch them with the instructors, natural setting, and BUY the fish food on entry. $5 per bag but what happens when you feed the wild trout is a lot of fun. We should have bought at least 3 bags (1 each). For fantastic photography and video, have one person feed the trout from the platform whilst another watches through underwater viewing area. They are HUGE and go crazy .... brilliant!!

Negative experience: Not really worthy of my visit esp the entry fee can buy me a big chunk of salmon for dinner

Positive experience: Fun for all the family. They have a museum, aquarium, feeding pond, nice walkways and very friendly staff.

Fantastic experience: Bought the family pass to view the facility, as well as 2 kids fishing packages. The fishermen were great with the kids and they got to see the whole process. Fish then got smoked on site and we enjoyed it outdoors in their picnic area.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic. Great for the kids and awesome experience for them catching a fish

Fantastic experience: Great experience for all, especially for the kids fishing and fuss made about them with catches, and the cherry on the cake, the smoking of the trout and eating them there. Awesome food

Fantastic experience: The staff were friendly and beautiful grounds. I really liked the museum that talked about the history of trout in New Zealand and also water conservation. The kids fishing seems like a lot of money, $60 (including admission), then you have to pay for the adult admission price. But I would still do it again. Granted I thought the guide would show our daughter how to fly fish and then let her do it, but the guide holds on to the rod most of the time, our daughter is independent and would have like to do all of it on her own - but she has never been fly fishing. I loved that they filet the fish and then give you the option of smoking it in Manuka honey. It is awesome and you can eat it there straight after fishing. They give you a certificate with the weight and length of fish. It was a classic memory.

Fantastic experience: We really enjoyed the native aquariums.

Fantastic experience: I'm not a fly fisherman, but it was interesting to see both the fish and the fishing tackle with the history behind both

Fantastic experience: Amazing kids fishing experience. Well worth a visit. Recommend prebooking time slot online.

Fantastic experience: Well worth the stop. Great walkways, lots of trout action, especially if you buy a bag of feed. No need to pay unless you want to see the museum. Although a good cause to donate to…. We two adults loved it!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic place for the whole family

Positive experience: Had a Nice tour of the place. Did not have fishing when we went, kids disappointed

Fantastic experience: Amazing time watching my son land his first two Rainbow Trout and eating them. Had an awesome day and Doug was a great teacher taught me.how to cast too. Went as a father son holiday lived it great memories would recommend for sure

Fantastic experience: Great place for a quick stop in and to see some trout.

Fantastic experience: The National Trout is a must-see for fisherman. Besides native species like the giant kokopu or the longfin eel this place displays how introducing an invasive species affects a whole economy. I would visit the TNTC again.

Fantastic experience: Great to see all the various stages of a trout's life. Some Awesome specimens there.

Fantastic experience: Lovely walk and a experience to see the youngsters fish!

Fantastic experience: Great experience for a 6 year old to try fishing with an expert and provide dinner for the family!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely great experience, life long memories for kids catching their first trout. The staff where fantastic, friendly, caring and knowledgeable . Highly recommend, we where lucky to get the last time slot for the day, very popular so advise booking.

Positive experience: Kids fishing looks boring, but when my kids catch a fish, we are all happy. They were smoked and we ate on site.

Fantastic experience: Great spot with lovely walks, a shop and the kids can catch a trout which they will smoke for you on the spot.

Fantastic experience: Interesting spot for the kids to try fly fishing

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic. This is a must stop if your passing through or staying near by. We will definitely be returning to give the kids the opportunity to catch there own trout in one of the fishing ponds!

Positive experience: Didn't find the visit to the trout hatchery worth the effort or entry fee. Some interesting history but most of the hatchery is now not operating. Pleasant walk around the river track and you get to see some big trout.

Negative experience: In the past would always make the effort to stop in here on the way home from holiday. This time we wished we hadn't. I'm not sure what we were paying for. $15 per adult to see a few trout ponds here and there. The kids pond had a dead trout in it so glad it wasn't school holidays for them to see it. Landscaping and gardens need a huge tidy up. $5 for trout food. Whole walk probably only took 15min. Baby trout for next holidays kids pond looked completely over crowded.

Positive experience: My mokopuna loved catching their first trout and then getting out smoked for our lunch was amazing

Fantastic experience: Really cool place and lots to learn, and the kids can go fishing to catch a trout.

Fantastic experience: The children's fly fishing lesson is a must-do experience. Incredibly friendly staff and fantastic smoked trout following a successful catch!

Fantastic experience: Really interesting walk and tour - lots to see. Nice walk along the river and plenty of info stops and opportunities to feed the fish. If you have kids and can time the visit, take them on the kids fishing day - great to see the local anglers teaching them to fish and they can keep what they catch too.

Negative experience: Very sad to call in today to take grandchildren fishing. Sign was out and well before closing time but told had to book on line. Information on page said no booking required. Very sad as children looking forward to doing this activity as for once had time and opportunity to do this. I had taken my children here when they were young. Please update information on page and even on signage you put out.

Fantastic experience: Kids loved it. Couldn't wait to get back out and try catch their own monster.

Fantastic experience: Awesome activity for kids. My daughter had a blast doing the advanced course, learning how to cast and tie knots. At the end a successful cast and catching of a trout. Activity rounded out by having the fish smoked and eating on site with some ciabatta bread. Great fun and value.

Fantastic experience: Kids absolutely loved catching their first Trout

Positive experience: The kids fishing tutors are very kind and so the kids fishing reception. However me and my partner were running to my young sister which just got her fish, a keeper suddenly shouted to my partner with very rude language and said the ground just been seeded however there has no sign! We will never know that as there’s nothing! What a rude person he is???

Negative experience: Incredibly disappointed to walk in to the smell of freshly smoked trout to find out, because we don’t have a child, we couldn’t have any. $15 and most exhibits closed.

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience!! Pack clothing suitable for weather/climate changes. I did the walk in my trainers if you have tramping boots make sure they are well broken into! Pack lunch/snacks (probably not a sandwich that'll get squashed and soggy) keep hydrated but don't drink too much toilets are well spread out.

Fantastic experience: Great 40mins to show kids the trout life cycle and have a wander by the river.

Fantastic experience: Great woman staff member to meet and greet. Loved the aquarium and feeding the rainbow trout towards the end. Lots to see and the fly fishing rods and flies were great exhibits.

Fantastic experience: Very educational no matter the age

Fantastic experience: Kids caught big trout and had a lot of fun. They smoked the fish caught and you can eat it right away!

Negative experience: Very disappointed, paid full price to get in, unaware that they were closing soon after, (earlier than normal) and left us and others abandoned in the centre and we all had to find an alternative way out. Not good value for money, not a good memory

Positive experience: Great staff, great facilities, and the kids fishing days are highly recommended!

Positive experience: Lovely walk to the aquarium , outside fish were cool to feed. Quite pricey to see fish that you walk past for free on the way there.

Positive experience: Have a museum about the history and conservation, then leading to the small aquarium with some of the trout and possibly other fishes. Not very visible nor plentiful, and there's a pond outside with many big fishes where kids can sign up to learn how to fish. For a town without a lot of activities it's a good 30 minutes time killer, otherwise if you're not really into fishes or expecting a proper full size aquarium this is not the place.

Positive experience: Is an interesting visit. More to do for the kids, but plenty of interesting information on offer. Maybe it was the time of year that I visited (late December) but wasn't a lot of actual trout farming process on display.

Fantastic experience: Me and my partner really enjoyed this place. The staff were really friendly today and its good to see the money you spend (cheap tickets) go towards such a great cause. Respect trout and don't overfish in general. Our children have the right to enjoy the land, sky, rivers and lakes as our ancestors did.

Positive experience: Went here as part of a school trip. Was great fun for children. Very short though so you would only need to allocate about 1 ½ to get around throughly. You do need a vaccination pass to enter.

Fantastic experience: One of my best memorable experiences in NZ actually. We were offered free smoked trout and a plough bread. The place closed up by the time we finished our hikoi around and they left it outside on their eating tables with forks and napkins. The place has a awesome kaupapa to be proud of.

Fantastic experience: Great place to take the kids

Fantastic experience: Great staff and lovely smoked trout for lunch truly enjoyed myself with my friend and his son.

Positive experience: We were lucky to have a sunny day, so it was lovely walkingIf you still decide to visit this place, I would recommend to purchase a bag of trout food from the owner at the reception, it can make your walking much more funnier) P. S.. I personally enjoyed the feeding fish on the river even more than in the pond

Negative experience: Closed despite the sign on the door said it was open. Long walk down to find closed.

Fantastic experience: If visiting, highly recommend to grab a bag of the trout food and to feed the trout at both the viewing room and the kids pool. Fascinating to watch the trout go crazy after the food!! Lots of fun. Good for a a few hours on a rainy day if you can’t make it up the mountain.

Positive experience: Definitely worth a visit. It was pouring with rain when we went but still had a great time. Very interesting and good exhibits. Access for those with disabilities could do with a bit of improvement.

Positive experience: Great experience with plenty of information about trout fishing in New Zealand

Fantastic experience: Was very interesting my 2 year old enjoyed feeding the fish.

Fantastic experience: Grandson did Kids Fishing in school holidays. The look on his face when he got one PRICELESS! Thoroughly reccomend. Anglers are patient and lovely with kids. Certificate given, and catch smoked and eaten.

Fantastic experience: Very in depth and informative plus you get the chance to feed trout.

Fantastic experience: A great day fishing for our two children. The a guaranteed catch is smoked for you and makes a tasty lunch.

Positive experience: Kids friendly fishing $45, must pre-book. They fillet and smoke the fish for you. Can take between 30-60min to catch the fish and 25min to fillet and smoke.

Positive experience: LOVE LOVE LOVE this PLACE the ONLY PROBLEM I have is the kids using a fly rod instead of a normal rod. I have seen so so many kids get so annoyed to fast .. BUT wen they get that catch there like YES HAPPY AS cause there finished not cause they caught a fish its cause it's over it took to long got bored to fast... My question is why a FLY ROD an not a FISHING ROD..

Negative experience: Not amused with the condition of the tanks, being an experienced fish keeper myself, I was not amused. With out national fish not being kept in clean water/ tanks

Fantastic experience: A very interesting place to visit - great for families and small children

Fantastic experience: A very detailed and interesting look at the history of fly fishing and trout in the region since trout were introduced - there is a little native freshwater fish aquarium, but the best part is the river full of large trout that can be fed and an underwater viewing section where you can see the actual size of the fish! Definitely recommend visiting if you like fish, fly fishing or are interested in NZ history.

Fantastic experience: Friendly, enthusiastic, educational staff made our rather short visit (we came a long way and had a long journey home after lunch) an excellent experience. It was sad to hear the downside to trout, that they eat all the native species, but interesting that they often do better in our country than their country of origin. Thanks to all the staff. Our tour group were extremely impressed!

Fantastic experience: The National Trout Centre in Turangi is an awesome experience for the whole family. Entry fee applies for adults but kids are free. There's also Kid's trout fishing at an extra cost, but unfortunately my son is not old enough yet (5 year's old minimum). We will be back another time. This is also a Toyota Kiwi Guardian site.