3 minute read
ROAD TRIP: A journey through Ōhakune
Waiouru to Ōhakune via SH 49 - 20min, 27km
Ōhakune to National Park Village via Raetihi and Raetihi Ōhakune Rd - 33min, 46km
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National Park Village to Taumarunui via SH 4 - 30min, 42.1km
Head west from Waiouru along SH 49, tracing the lower boundary of Tongariro National Park. Pass through Tangiwai to reach Ōhakune.
The town is New Zealand’s ‘carrot capital’ which is celebrated by a giant statue of the orange vegetable on the edge of the village.
Keep going to Tohunga Junction, turning left to Raetihi. Consider stopping here to stretch the legs and visit the museum before journeying north along SH 4 to National Park Village, sitting just outside the boundary of Tongariro National Park and with Whanganui National Park to the west. The village reveals spectacular views of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngāuruhoe and Mt Ruapehu. Carry on north to Taumarunui, the starting point for most canoe and kayak safaris along the Whanganui River.
Chateau Tongariro Hotel, Whakapapa
Destination Great Lake Taupō
HIGHLIGHTS
WAIMARINO MUSEUM, RAETIHI
Historic photographs of an old bushman’s dwelling and a locomotive used for transporting logs tell stories of times gone by. The Waimarino Museum, creatively sheds insight on the past 100 years.
WHANGANUI NATIONAL PARK
The park was created to protect the 290km-long Whanganui River. Canoe, kayak and jet-boating excursions regularly zip up and down the waters. Easy-to-access huts and campsites along the riverbanks make for great camping. The national park is also home to a network of walking tracks including those that venture to the Bridge to Nowhere.
MOUNTAINS TO SEA CYCLE TRAIL
The network of connected pathways is made up of six sections designed as a multi-day adventure or as single-day rides. The Ōhakune Old Coach Rd is one of the most scenic.
TAUMARUNUI
Known for its farming, trout fishing, railway and forestry history, Taumarunui is also an access point for the Forgotten World Highway, the Timber Trail cycleway, the Whanganui River and Tongariro National Park.
THE MANGAWHERO RIVER WALKWAY
Meanders along the riverbanks for 2km, flush with native plants and birdlife.
Forgotten World Adventures, Taumarunui
Visit Ruapehu
FAMILY FUN
ŌHAKUNE CARROT ADVENTURE PARK – celebrate the town’s iconic orange vegetable at the playground complete with a carrot-shaped go-kart, playground, barbecue area, picnic tables, bike track and scenic walkway.
MT RUAPEHU – the slopes are child-friendly with a learner’s area and children’s ski school. The snow still provides hours of fun even if skiing or snowboarding is not on the agenda. Make a snowman, snow angel or bring a toboggan.
Family walking near Mt Ruapehu
Visit Ruapehu
The 1.5km JUBILEE WALKWAY begins at the famous giant carrot statue and through a scenic reserve. The pathway traces the Mangateitei Stream and ends with an easy link to the Mangawhero River Walkway
The SKY WAKA CHAIRLIFT climbs to Knoll Ridge Café: the country’s highest restaurant. Some gondolas feature glass floors, allowing riders to observe skiers and snowboarders below.
THE BLIND FINCH HAMBUGERIA – in Ōhakune, enjoy gourmet hamburgers inspired by global cuisines and cooked on a wood-fired grill.
MT RUAPEHU
Mt Ruapehu is home to New Zealand’s two largest ski areas: Tūroa, on the south western slopes, and Whakapapa. The ski season falls between June and October. And once the snow melts away, the Sky Waka gondola on Whakapapa opens up access to a network of walking tracks.
Skiing on Mt Ruapehu
Visit Ruapehu
ŌHAKUNE
A popular base for skiers, snowboarders and adventurers, Ōhakune’s proximity to the mountain brings the town to life in winter and it’s developed into a lively a pres-ski scene. The region has fruitful earth and has a reputation for producing some of the country’s highest quality and sweetest carrots; hence the ‘Big Carrot’ on the main street.
Land is bountiful in more ways than skiing and carrots, though. In warmer months, keen trampers come to complete the renowned Tongariro Alpine Crossing, among other walks. Mountain biking is the most popular year round quest thanks to the Old Coach Rd, the cycle trail following the main trunk line between Ōhakune and Horopito, and part of the famous Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail.
Ōhakune town centre
Martyn Davies
Highlights
> Tūroa Ski Field
> Jubilee Park Scenic Reserve
> Ōhakune carrot
> Lake Rotokura
Ōhakune Carrot
Getty Images
