Mt Taranaki lookout is a short walk from the car park to a viewpoint, with a lake in the foreground and the mountain beyond. It is at Burgess Park, Retaruke, in Ruapehu.
Visitors describe it as a perfect spot for a photo of the mountain, with flowers out in season and a rainforest feel. One calls it a painter's paradise, combining the mountain, water and trees. Reviewers mention the walk from the car park, which takes about five minutes. Parking is very limited, one reviewer says, and the track can be muddy after rain. Our pick for a short walk to a photogenic view.