And Ohakune’s home to one of the best – La Pizzeria. If you need to replenish your energy, pizza’s always the answer. Tip: Outsider entry is dependent on hotel guest use. Being just at the bottom of Turoa’s entry point, you could slip in for an hour of relaxation – and grab a bite from the Powderkeg (their delicious in-house restaurant). Whether you’ve tackled the slopes, peddled bike trails, traversed volcanic rocks, or just need an excuse to ‘treat yourself’, head to one of the following:Īfter a day of tearing up Turoa’s slopes, the Powderhorn Chateau’s heated indoor pool could be a great way to unwind. Just let the hotel know when you’re arriving (at least 24 hours before) and they’ll be there to greet you. Tip: For just $15, a shuttle can take you straight from the National Park train station to the Chateau. And while you’d be forgiven for thinking the name ‘Chateau’ suggests skyrocket prices, we can confirm a night or two won’t break the bank.
Located beneath the Whakapapa ski field (7 kms from it to be exact), it offers plush accommodation, hypnotising views, in-house wellness rooms and restaurants galore. If you’re into that ‘ski-in-ski-out’ kind of lifestyle, the Chateau Tongariro hotel is probably the place for you. What’s more, it’s near impossible to miss, being at the entrance of the township. And although the carrot’s not one of the most exhilarating things to do in Ohakune, it’s worth pulling the camera out for. Besides being known as the North Island’s thrill seeker capital, Ohakune’s also known for growing a large chunk of the North Island’s carrot crop. Looking to kill time before your train journey home? Try the Ohakune Carrot. Note: Winter often means icy conditions, so quality hiking gear is recommended.Įmerald lakes ©Graeme Murray Ohakune's iconic carrot
With five hours of backcountry plains, volcanic terrain, cascading waterfalls and wild tussock to venture across, you’ll be transported into a world not too dissimilar from Lord of the Rings. If you’ve got a little more time on your hands – and want to test your fitness levels, Lake Surprise has the perfect recipe. Just twenty minutes return, it could be the perfect start or end to a day on the slopes. It’s not every day you get to walk alongside ancient lava, as well as gawk at a stunning waterfall, so if you’re near Whakapapa, set off on the Tawhai Falls track. Although a short drive from the main village, most can be reached with a shuttle, car rental or bike hire. Then there’s Magawhero falls, the national park’s most popular. Waitonga falls is the National park’s highest waterfall, with a 39 metre drop and incredible views of Mt Ruapehu. Waterfalls are abundant in the Tongariro National Park – so if you’ve been itching to visit one, you’re in luck. From waterfalls to wild sheer cliffs, to volcanic sightings, here are some of the best Department of Conversation walks to explore.
Murray bike trail seeker free#
If free activities are your thing, we can’t think of a better one than spending some quality time with mother nature. Whanganui river bike pick up Winter Walks Bikes are also available to hire, just a 5 minute walk from Ohakune station. Note: For just $20, you can bring two bikes on the Northern Explorer. The track is mostly grade two, with a few steeper sections coming in at grade three. Starting in Pureroa and ending in Ongarue, you’ll experience 85kms of native bush, a backdrop of incredible views – and peddle across eight suspension bridges. If you want to hit the tracks for a couple of days, The Timber Trail won’t disappoint. Give yourself 4-6 hours to complete this track (this includes the jet boat ride). The distance is 15km and takes roughly 2-3 hours.įamous for its ‘ Bridge to Nowhere’, the Mangapurua track is a grade three level trail covering 36 km of native bush, sheer bluffs and ending with a one-hour jet boat ride back to base – because, we weren’t joking when we said the bridge goes nowhere. With an easy grade two level trail, you can spend just as much time cycling as you can soaking up the scenery, which includes lush forestry and historical sites. The Ohakune Old Coach Road is a crowd favourite. And with stacks of cycle trails to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Not just a summer sport, mountain biking is alive year-round in Ohakune. Hit the slopes of Ruapehu © Vaughan Brookfied Mountain Biking