Meads Wall is a scenic spot on the upper slopes of Mt Ruapehu at Whakapapa Skifield in Tongariro National Park, in the Ruapehu district near Waiouru, and is rated 4.7 from 33 Google reviews.
Making the most of a mountain scenic spot is mostly about timing. Weather on the volcano can turn from clear to clagged-in within minutes, so it pays to check road and track conditions before driving up, and to pack warm layers even on a summer's day. Regulars tend to favour early morning or late afternoon, when the light sits softer on the rock and the skifield carparks are quieter. The best stops also reward lingering: a short wander past the first viewpoint often changes the whole picture.
At Meads Wall, the jagged lava outcrops, known to many as a Lord of the Rings filming location, reward that patient approach, high above the volcanic plateau.