Mount Egmont (2518 m) overlooks the region of Taranaki. It represents the centre point of its own National Park that forms the shape of an almost perfectly circular area of 33,500 ha around the peak. In fact, Taranaki is considered to be one of the most symmetrical volcanoes in the world. However, Mount Egmont National Park is full of different landscapes ranging from lowland rainforest, to subalpine swamps and numerous freshwater streams that have their source in the mountainous and volcanic terrain of Taranaki.
From the west, to the south, east and north-east of Mount Taranaki, the National Park keeps the almost perfectly circular shape. Numerous streams spread from here out in all directions. Among them is the Kapuni Stream in the southeast that creates the famous Dawson Falls. Many of these streams terminate in the Tasman Sea.
While the park's south is marked by Taranaki and neighbouring Fanthams Peak (1966 m), the northwestern part is made up of two older volcanoes, namely Pouakai (1400 m) of the Pouakai Range and Mount Patuaha (684 m) of the Kaitake Range, near the township of Oakura. Between Pouakai and Taranaki lies the Ahukawakawa Swamp on an altitude of 920 m. The sphagnum moss swamp covers an area of nearly 100 ha that feeds the Stony River.
Surrounding the summit is an area of lush rainforest with a radius of around 10 km. The soil below is mainly made up of volcanic rock that was produced by countless eruptions throughout the past 100,000 to 150,000 years. One major recent outbreaks is believed to have occurred in the middle of the 17th century. These eruptions were followed by lateral explosions, lahars and landslides, as well as eroding weather conditions that all helped to shape the region to its current formation.
Scientists actually argue whether Mount Egmont is active or extinct. The majority however believe the volcano to be in a dormant state, and may become active within the next 100 years.