ui
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Lake Taupō, Tūrangi & Ruapehu Tongariro National Park © Getty Images BELOW: Forgotten World Adventures Rail Cart Tours Tunnel © Visit Ruapehu
GATEWAY TOWNS
RUAPEHU
gito the Whanganui Tūranpoint > RAETIHI is an access
River. Check out the Raetihi Arts Trust Gallery, Dinosaur House and the Matotuku River Walk.
> PIPIRIKI From Pipiriki
ō jet-boat rides to the Taupjoin
Bridge to Nowhere. There is a campground, cabins and takeaways.
Ohakune Ohakune Carrot Famed for its carrot production, they’ve erected a seven-and-a-half metre carrot in the vegetable’s honour here. There’s also the Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park with bike track, playground, and carrot car. Ohakune Carrot Carnival Every June this carnival rolls into town. There’s an annual Grower’s Games
as well as a tasty carrot cake competition. Also in June is Ohakune Mardi Gras with an energetic line-up of music, DJs and pyroelectrics. Ohakune Old Coach Road Cycle Trail A route originally used by horsedrawn coaches, if you like your 15km bike rides served with a big dollop of history, this is the trail for you.
Taumarunui
Tongariro National Park New Zealand’s first National Park has three iconic peaks – Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngāuruhoe, and Mt Tongariro and many walks including one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
OHAKUNE
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Pipped as New Zealand’s finest one-day walk, allow six to eight hours to cover the entire 19.4km. Mt Ruapehu Skiing and Snowboarding Come winter, ski, snowboard or snow play at Mt Ruapehu at three acclaimed ski areas – Tūroa, Whakapapa and Tukino. Sky Waka The country’s longest and most unique gondola ride travels 1.8km over volcanic landscape. Featuring floor to ceiling windows, and operating both winter and summer, the views are yearround sensational.
Best location for Crossing • Shuttle to Tongariro Alpine Crossing • Whakapapa Ski Field – 26km • TV & games room • Spa Pool • Satellite Internet • Dump Station (guests only) • Sites from $22pp, Cabins from $65
> Forgotten World Adventure Rail Carts
Tūrangi
> Nevalea Alpacas > Bradleys Garden > Posh Pioneers
TAUPŌ> see PAGE 60
> High Tea at Chateau Tongariro > Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono Cycle Trail > Tongariro National Trout Centre > Mini-golf in Schnapps Bar > Indoor rock climbing in the YHA > Mountain Biking on Fishers, Marton and Door Tramway Trails > Park, ride and ski with a shuttle between National Park Village and Whakapapa > Waiouru National Army Museum
Tongariro Holiday Park
> Lauren’s Lavender Farm
Taupō
MORE RUAPEHU & NATIONAL PARK VILLAGE MUST-DO’S:
TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK> see PAGE 63
> Forgotten World Highway
TOP TIP: Taumarunui is an excellent place to stay before or after cycling the Timber Trail.
Fabulous Falls From Whakapapa Village, take a two-hour walk through beech forest to Taranaki Falls. Nearby Tawhai Falls is an easy 20-minute return walk. From Ohakune, discover Tongariro National Park’s highest waterfalls: Waitonga Falls takes a good 90 minutes to reach.
BOOK NOW: www.thp.co.nz • +64 7 386 8062 2091 SH 47, Tongariro • E: info@thp.co.nz
TAUMARUNUI > see PAGE 63
GREAT LAKE MOTEL Ohakune
• Lakefront, 2 minutes walk from town centre, cafés, restaurants & shops • Heat pumps, air-con, 50+ SKY channels, 40inch Smart TVs, FREE WiFi & FREE parking • Spacious, self-catering studios (sleep 2-3) and 1-bedroom units (sleep 2-5) • Friendly hospitable service dedicated to your comfort • Tariff: $125-$185 (2 persons)
CLOSEST TO TOWN CENTRE
56 Lake Terrace, Taupo | Ph: 07 378 0018 E: stay@greatlakemotel.co.nz | Res: Freephone 0800 488 388
www.greatlakemotel.co.nz See Map Section - pages 111 to 123
RSA CLUB TAUMARUNUI • Club open from 11am to late. • Restaurant open 7 nights from 5.30pm. • Full menu. • Charge-back facilities to motels. • Affiliated members & visitors welcome.
10 Marae St, Taumarunui • P: +64 7 895 7517 • F: +64 7 895 8343 www.taumarunuirsa.co.nz • E: taumrsa@xtra.co.nz 63
