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TAUMARUNUI
“Heart of the King Country”
Taumarunui is situated in the heart of the King Country on SH 4 on the upper reaches of the Whanganui River, between two of NZ’s National Parks, Tongariro and Whanganui and two forest parks, Pureora and Tongariro.
Canoeing
Cruise the river for an hour or spend up to eight days adventuring on the beautiful and historic Whanganui River all the way to Wanganui City.
Four Wheel Drive Adventure
Farmland and forest.
Horse Trekking
From two hours to days. A great way to enjoy the great outdoors.
Jet Boating
From Whakahoro and Pipiriki.
Manu-Ariki Marae
Where the four winds meet and all people are equal.
Visitors are welcome at Okahukura, 12kms north on SH 4. Wood carving, a miniature railway, weaving, gemstone jewellery on sale. Phone 895 5946 for an appointed guide.
Mountain Biking
Some of the best mountain bike trails to be found in the North Island. Descend 570m through the Tongariro Forest over old bush tracks. Fabulous scenery.
Rafting
Anything from gentle flows to exhilarating white water.
Raurimu Spiral
View this world famous piece of railway engineering from the lookout on SH 4 at Raurimu.
A working model can be seen at the Taumarunui i-SITE Visitor Centre in Hakiaha St.
Daily train trips. Train departs Taumarunui at 12 noon, returning to National Park at 1.40pm and arriving at Taumarunui 2.35pm. Subject to availability and trains running to schedule. Book at the i-SITE Visitor Centre.
Scenic Drive
Maps available from the i-SITE Visitor Centre.
Scenic Flights
Fly over mountain craters, down to the famous “Bridge to Nowhere” or anywhere else. Phone Mountain Air 892 2812.
Trout Fishing
There is excellent fishing on many of the district’s magnificent rivers. Licences are available from the i-SITE Visitor Centre for both lake and river.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Rock climbing, abseiling, caving, mountaineering, coach tours, private garden visits, farm visits –all of which can be arranged through the i-SITE Visitor Centre, phone 895 7494.
There are many beautiful picnic spots, including Cherry Grove (where the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers meet, signposted from Hakiaha St), Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve (turn left at Owhango when heading south), Ohinepane (down River Rd on the Whanganui), Taumarunui Camping Ground (on the banks of the Whanganui River at Manunui).
MUSEUMS & COLLECTIONS
Erceg’s Museum
Saddlers Rd off River Rd. A great collection of pioneering and Maori artefacts, phone 896 6365.
Ohura Museum
A wonderful collection that will bring back memories for many.
WALKS
Brochures are available from the Taumarunui i-SITE Visitor Centre Hakiaha St, phone 895 7494.
Mangapurua Track
Entrance at Whakahoro, access from SH 4, turn off at Owhango. Walk meets the Whanganui River 30kms upstream from Pipiriki. Jet boat transport out can be organised in advance, phone 895 7494.
Maraekowhai
(Whanganui National Park)
Take River Rd for 35kms south of Taumarunui then turn on to Tokirima Rd for 17kms. 10 minute walking track through pasture and native bush. View the Ohura Falls.
Mt Hikurangi
The prominent flat topped hill north east of Taumarunui. Permission to make the two hour climb to the summit (771m) must be obtained from land owner Mr R W Richards, phone 895 7144.
Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve
At Owhango 20kms south of Taumarunui on the banks of the Whakapapa River.
Rangaroa Lookout
Short walk through native bush behind Rangaroa Scout Den or enter from Bell Rd. Panoramic views of the valley and mountains.
Riverbank Walk
Follows Whanganui River from Cherry Grove to the camping grounds, 1 hour one way.
Sunshine Scenic Reserve
From Morero Tce turn left over Victory Bridge. Track is on the right. A short uphill walk will give you great views of the district.
Te Peka Lookout
Opposite and along from Pioneer Jetboat terminal on SH 4. A 15 minute climb through bush on a good track to lookout.
DOC has brochures and maps on the numerous walks and tracks, contact DOC’s Taumarunui Field Centre, Cherry Grove, 895 8201 or Taumarunui i-SITE Visitor Centre, 895 7494, Whakapapa Visitor Centre Mt Ruapehu, 892 3729, Ohakune Ranger Station 385 8578.
OHAKUNE
Ohakune is the southern gateway to the World Heritage Tongariro National Park and is also your springboard to adventure.
Whether it’s the nightlife or the wildlife there’s always something happening in Ohakune.
Right on the south western doorstep of Mt Ruapehu and the Turoa ski fields, every winter the town comes alive with skiers and boarders creating a vibrant atmosphere, making Ohakune the ‘aprés ski capital’ of the North Island.
Just 36kms south of National Park Village, Ohakune is a winter and summer playground.
Natural highs abound around the Ohakune area all year round. The mountains, the forests and the Whanganui River combine to create the perfect setting all year for hiking, biking, riding and paddling.
Activities include canoe trips, exploring Lord of the Rings film locations with Volcanic Scenic Flights, visiting the Ohakune Kings Cinema in Goldfinch St or fishing in a number of magnificent fishing rivers and streams in the area.
Try golf at the 18 hole Waimarino Golf Club country course (green fees and club hire are available at the Ruapehu Visitor Centre). Soak in the heated pool at the Powderhorn Chateau. Enjoy horse trekking at the Ruapehu Homestead, jet boating on the Whanganui River with Bridge To Nowhere Jet Boat Tours, mountain biking, paintball or karting with Ohakune Adventure Park Rentals.
Play squash at the Ohakune Squash Racquets Club (racquet and shoe hire available at the Ruapehu i-SITE Visitor Centre).
Ski and snowboard the largest ski area in NZ. Mt Ruapehu, Turoa and Whakapapa boast over 1800ha of lift-accessed terrain. The action continues over summer with sightseeing chairlift rides and guided crater lake walks to the top of Mt Ruapehu.
The Ohakune Mountain Rd that leads to the Turoa ski area rises 1000m in one of the most stunning drives in the country. From lowland beech forest to beautiful alpine tussock land the road is a great downhill adrenalin rush for mountain bikers in summer. The 17kms 1000 vertical metres descent mountain bike ride with Ohakune Scenic Cycles is an absolute must do!
The Ohakune Mountain Rd is the southern access to the Tongariro National Park, NZ’s oldest national park and a unique area of remarkable diversity.
There are several hiking tracks for all levels of experience to explore this landscape of lush forest, desert like terrain, lakes, rivers and streams, active volcanoes, snow, ice and fire!
Ohakune provides access to all the main recreation areas in the region and offers a comprehensive range of services to cater for almost all needs.
Ohakune buzzes in the fresh mountain air with an array of vibrant cafés, restaurants and bars. Right through the winter visitors can experience various entertainment in the bars and restaurants.
Don’t miss the North Island’s biggest winter party! The Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras in August is a huge street party with fireworks, live bands, dancing and street entertainment.
Ohakune is also known as the Carrot Capital of NZ. Standing tall at the southern entrance to the town is the Ohakune Carrot – a monument erected in 1984 to reflect the importance of market gardening to the economy of the region. The Ohakune Carrot Carnival, held in July/August, is a must for families.
Ohakune has a wide range of accommodation available where you can rest in readiness for the next fun filled, action packed day in the Ruapehu region . . . where adventure begins.
NATIONAL PARK
Located near the base of Mt Ruapehu at the intersection of SH 4 and SH 47 and just minutes from the skifields, National Park Village is brimming with a range of accommodation and activities.
Skiing, snowboarding, tramping, caving at Okupaka, kayaking, jet boating, rafting, mountain biking on Traverse 42, hunting and quad bike tours are all available.
Scenic flights offer awesome views over Tongariro National Park, phone Mountain Air 0-800-922 812.
Try the challenging indoor climbing wall. Open daily 9am - 9pm. Gear is available and instruction is free. Phone 892 2870.
On SH 4 6kms from National Park you can view the Raurimu Spiral, a steep gradient on the main trunk railway. It rises 213m at a slope of 1 in 50 by means of a complete circle, three horseshoe curves and two tunnels.
RAETIHI
One of NZ’s original pioneering timber towns, Raetihi is a gateway to Pipiriki and the Bridge To Nowhere and provides easy access to a whole plethora of other wilderness experiences.
The vast Whanganui National Park, the rugged bush clad hills surrounding Pipiriki and the Bridge To Nowhere are just a few of the examples of the spectacular activities that abound from Raetihi.
The Bridge To Nowhere was built for vehicles but has no road to or from it. It can be reached only by jet boat, canoe/kayak or on foot.
Jet boats are also used to access the Matemateonga Track. Meaning “isolated desolation” the Mate-mateonga Track is a four day tramp to Stratford using old Maori trails to penetrate deep into the dense forests of the Matemateonga range.
The Mangawhero and Manganui a te Ao Rivers provide great trout fishing and exotic native fauna such as the blue duck (whio) which can be found in the area.
The main street of Raetihi has recently been restored to reflect the pioneering history of the town. Historic buildings include the Theatre Royal, Bank of New Zealand and the museum complex which consists of the old railway station, police office, jail and stable.
The original Raetihi Power Station continues to supply the town.
The Raetihi Museum is open Sundays 2 - 4pm or by arrange-ment. Contact the Raetihi Information Centre 385 4805 or V Littlewood 385 4587.
Horopito Vintage Cars are also a must-do for car enthusiasts – 4ha of automobilia from vintage to modern.
Raetihi is host to the Waimarino Rodeo, the A & P Show, dog trials and shearing competitions. Raetihi is also the home of the Ratana Church.
Just 28kms from the Turoa ski area and the Tongariro National Park, information and bookings for accommodation in Raetihi can be obtained from the Ruapehu i-SITE Visitor Centre Clyde St Ohakune, phone 385 8427.
Pipiriki
A peaceful, picturesque village 27kms from Raetihi with good picnicking, camping, short walks, jet boating and a strong aura of history. The road is sealed for 13kms then metalled for the remaining 14kms. The drive is very beautiful and scenic.
Pipiriki is also a gateway to the wilderness reaches of the Whanganui River and a meeting place for kayaking, canoeing, jet boating and hunting.
Ruatiti
Free camping area. Excellent swimming and trout fishing.
Whanganui National Park
The Whanganui National Park is based around the Whanganui River. Visitors can see the beauty of the park by canoe, kayak and jet boat or by hiking the many tracks which cross the park and river.
The Whanganui River has recently been used as film locations for several independent and popular movies.
Information on the area’s attractions can be obtained from the Raetihi Information Centre Seddon St, phone 385 4805.
SKI FIELDS
At 2797m Mt Ruapehu is the North Island’s highest mountain and is home to the largest ski area in NZ (1050ha). On the north western slopes is the popular Whakapapa Skifield, renowned as one of NZ’s leading ski areas and providing excellent skiing for all levels of ability. There is a sliding park for non-skiers, boarders, tubers and tobogganers.
Turoa ski area is on the south western slopes and offers perfect snowboarding terrain with wide open slopes and pipe shapes. Turoa has the biggest vertical drop of any ski area in Australasia.
Both areas offer rentals, lessons, workshop facilities and refreshments. Just one lift pass is required for access to both areas. On the eastern side of Mt Ruapehu is Tukino, a small back country skifield. For further information call the snowphone 0-900-99 333.
For information on Whakapapa phone 892 3738.
Information on skiing is available from the Ruapehu i-SITE Visitor Centre, phone 385 8427.
TONGARIRO
NATIONAL PARK
The centre of the North Island is distinguished by the magnificent Tongariro National Park, a dual world heritage park of 79,598ha, recognising Tongariro’s natural beauty and cultural significance.
The park was created in 1887 when Te Heuheu Tukino IV, paramount chief of the Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe gifted the three volcanoes, Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro to the people of NZ.
The landscape varies from vast tussocklands to mountain beech forests and wetlands.
Trampers can enjoy many tracks and huts including the Tongariro Crossing, 17kms long and considered one of the best one day hikes in NZ. Phone Alpine Scenic Tours 0-7-386 8918 or Tongariro Expeditions 0-800-828 763 for a timetable.
During the summer, December to April, Whakapapa Ski Area operates the chairlifts for sightseeing and has guided walks to the crater lake on Mt Ruapehu.
Become a ‘Friend of Tongariro’, join the Tongariro Natural History Society (Inc). For further information or a calendar of activities contact any visitor centre in or around the park.
WAIOURU
Waiouru is a desert oasis with a population of 2,480. It boasts the country’s highest railway station – 813m above sea level.
The NZ Army’s main training base, the biggest army installation in the country, covers 86,818ha and runs alongside SH 1 for 35kms, reaching from Ruapehu’s snowline to the Rangitikei River headwaters, 30kms to the east. It includes the Moawhango Dam (part of the Tongariro Power Scheme) which is fed by 22 streams on the southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu via aquaduct under the Desert Rd.
Lake Moawhango
When not involved in army exercises, the lake is available for recreational use. A ‘Permit to Enter’ is obtainable from Ops Branch phone 387 5599 or after hours from the Orderly Officer.
A Taupo fishing licence is required to fish Lake Moawhango and the rivers and streams of the Waiouru Training Area.
Army Museum
The Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum is located at the junction of SH 1 and Hassett Dr. It is open every day except Christmas Day, from 9am - 4.30pm. The tearooms are open Monday to Sunday 9.30am - 3.30pm.
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