Local Walks
Mangawhero Forest Walk and Rimu Walk
Time: 1 hr return and 15 min return
These two tracks begin at the same place, at the bottom of the Ohakune Mountain Road just pass the Ranger station.
The 15 minute Rimu Walk, meandering gently through an understorey of ground ferns and kamahi and crisscrossing a quiet mountain stream, is a separate loop off the main Mangawhero Forest Walk. The high quality surface allows access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The Mangawhero Forest walk takes you through the magnificent Ohakune podocarp (native pine) forest.
Mangawhero River Walkway
This easy walk runs from the bottom of the Ohakune Mountain Road and ends up on State Highway 49. Popular with local dog walkers, it is a 20 – 30 minute scenic route to the Ohakune township.
Jubilee Walkway
Located in Jubilee Park, the track runs from Burns Street to the Giant Carrot. If you want to complete both the Jubilee Walkway and Mangawhero River Walkway, allow approximately 1 1/2 – 2 hours return trip.
Mangawhero Falls
The Falls are reached via a 5-minute walk, which starts near the 13-km marker on the Ohakune Mountain Road. The track provides great views of a beautiful waterfall over volcanic rock formations close to the road. Spectacular icicles form around the falls in winter.
Lake Surprise
Time: 5 hours return
This track begins on the Ohakune Mountain Road, 15 kilometres past the Ohakune Ranger Station. The track passes by a cascade flowing over smooth bedrock that is coated in white silica deposited from the mineral-rich alpine spring water. Lake Surprise, a broad shallow lake set amongst beech forest and tussock, is reached after a steady climb from the Mangaturuturu River Valley.
Old Blyth Track
Time: 4/5 hours return
Beginning 7kms up the Ohakune Mountain Road, this track follows part of the historic route up Mount Ruapehu, the track climbs gradually through one of the few red beech stands in the park and then passes through kaikawaka and mountain beech until it crosses the Waitonga Falls Track.
Waitonga Falls Track
Time: 1 hr 20 mins return
This track leads to the park’s highest waterfall. The 39 metre Waitonga Falls, is reached via a well-formed track through mountain beech and kaikawaka (mountain cedar) forest.On clear calm days there are fantastic views of Mount Ruapehu and the surrounding countryside. You can see reflections of the mountain in the Rotokawa pools, part of an alpine wetland area.
Ohakune Old Coach Road
Cycle Time:1 ½ - 2 hours; Walk: 5 hours
The Ohakune Old Coach road forms part of The Mountains to Sea cycle trail, which makes up part of The New Zealand cycle trail network.
The track runs from the Railway Station to Horopito. As Horopito is about 500m higher than Ohakune, it is usually common practice to arrange transport to Horopito and cycle or walk back to Ohakune. TCB in the town centre offer our guests a discounted bike hire rate and can organise shuttles to Horipito.
Hapawhenua Viaduct Walk
Time: 1 ½ - 2 hours
Starting in the Marshalls Road Carpark this walk follows the first stage of the Ohakune Old Coach Road. The Viaduct spans the valley alongside the new structure. It is possible to walk the length of the old viaduct and if your timing is right you may see a train pass over the new viaduct further down the valley.
Lake Rotokura
Time: 1 hr return
Signposted from State Highway 49, 12 kilometres from Ohakune en route to Waiouru. Drive one kilometre from the turnoff along Karioi Station Road, cross the railway line and continue to Rotokura carpark.
The lake is surrounded by ancient beech forest and on a clear day, Mount Ruapehu is reflected in the lake’s calm waters.
Rotokura is tapu (sacred healing waters) to Ngati Rangi, the local Maori people or Tangata Whenua. Respect this by not eating at or near Lake Rotokura or following the track past where it first meets the lake. Fishing is also prohibited.
Local Activities
OHAKUNE
Carrot Park & Giant Carrot
4a Rangataua Road, Ohakune, SH49 (by the giant carrot!)
Public park open 24/7- Public toilets on site
On the eastern edge of the town there is a large replica of a carrot, known locally as "The Big Carrot". This is reputedly the world's largest model carrot and was originally constructed as a prop for a television advertisement for the ANZ Bank in the early 1980s. After filming the carrot was donated to Ohakune, in recognition of the area's reputation as the source of a high proportion of New Zealand's carrots, and installed in its current position in 1984. It makes a great photo stop!
Climbing Wall
SLR Vertigo Adventure Centre, 27 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune
06 385 9018
Winter open 7 days Mon-Fri: 10am-4pm, Sat & Sun: 3-6, All times weather dependant. Closed public holidays.
Kids 6yrs and under: $12 per hour session, Everyone else: $17 per hour session
Real rock wall or Clip n’ Climb, a fun activity for all ages
The Chocolate Eclair Shop
Although masquerading as a typical New Zealand Dairy, this place conceals a true local delicacy. No trip to Ohakune is complete without sampling their famous chocolate eclairs. Situated next to the BP station and open from 6am to 6pm during the winter months.
Horse Trekking
Ruapehu Homestead on the corner of Piwari Street and SH49, Rangataua
027 267 7057
Open 7 days in all weather apart from torrential downpour, treks and pony rides by arrangement. Prices vary based on activity
Opus Fresh
31 Thames Street, Ohakune @ the Railway Station
022 385 8683
Open 10am-5pm everyday except Tuesday, 7 days during school holidays
Situated in the historic railway building opposite Kings, this clothing company makes fantastic adventure-wear showcasing New Zealand Merino. Every purchase offers you a free coffee.
Railway Museum
62 Thames Street (east of the Railway Station at the junction), Ohakune
021 111 9692
Situated in The Junction, Ohakune. Much of Ohakune’s rich history revolves around the railway. ‘The Junction’ area of the township, was the original hub of the settlement serving the engineers, labourers and early passengers of the railway. Several of the buildings in this part of town date back to the construction of the tracks in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
At the side of these all-important tracks sits the Railway Museum, a converted 1930s railway shed that was re-located to Ohakune in 1990 and is now home to a selection of fascinating displays on the history of the railway and settlement in the region, including a display from the Tangiwai Disaster of 1953.
Open Thurs-Sun: 10am-2pm or by appointment – Free entry (Donations Expected)
Ohakune Paintball Mt Combat
@ The Ski Shed, 71 Clyde Street Ohakune
06 385 9173
$40 for 100 rounds, $50 for 200 rounds, 6 people minimum, bookings essential
TCB - Ski, Board and Bike
27 Ayr Street Ohakune
06 385 8433
Open 7 days, 7am-6pm
Retail shop and rentals for mountain biking or snow gear
Strange Dog Print and Design
45 Clyde Street, Ohakune
06 385 9320
Open Weekdays 9am – 5pm, Saturdays (and Sunday’s from July – October) 10am – 3pm
A great selection of giftware, souvenirs and custom apparel
The Gym
Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 9am - 1pm & 4pm - 6pm.
Casual sessions: Gym $16, Shower Only: $8
Call: 06 385 9393 Outside hours call Savannah 022 329 9201
Waimarino Golf Club
Call: 06 385 4246
Green Fees:
18 Holes Affiliated $30.00
18 Holes Non-Affiliated $35.00
9 Holes Affiliated $20
9 Holes Non-Affiliated $25
Trundler hire $10.00
Barefoot Beauty
Call: Diana 027 3873487
Bookings essential, open by appointment only, flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
Bliss Beauty Therapy
Call: 06 212 8118
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday by appointment only.
RAETIHI, 10 minute drive from Ohakune
Dinosaur House
102 Seddon Street, Raetihi
06 385 3344
Mon: closed, Tue-Fri: 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm
Adult: $10, Child: $8, Senior Citizen: $8, Under 2yrs: Free
HOROPITO, 10 minute drive from Ohakune
Horopito Motors (Smash Palace)
40 Matapuna Road, Horopito @ Horopito Motors
063854151
Open Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5pm, Sat: 10am-4pm, Sun: closed
This is a working museum where you can find all kinds of used car parts, it is the largest and only vintage car dismantlers in Australasia.
WAIOURU, 20 minute drive from Ohakune
Waiouru Army Museum
Corner of SH1 and Hassett Drive, Waiouru
06 387 6911
Open 7 days, 9am-4:30pm, except Christmas
Adult: $15, Child: $5 (under 5 free), Student: $10 (with ID), Senior Citizen: $10 (65yr and over), Family ( 2 adults plus children under 18): $35
Tours available and Café on site
Waiouru Swimming Pool (Burns Pool)
Open Monday - Thursday from 6am - 7pm, Friday from 6am - 4.30pm,. Weekends & public holidays from 11am - 5pm.
Adults $2, Child $1
Call: 06 387 5599, extn 7914 (call before travelling as it is often used for military training)
National Park, 25 minute drive from Ohakune
Schnapps Bar Mini golf
2 Findlay Street, National Park
07 892 2788
Mini golf prices: Pre-schoolers: $2.50, Kids: $6, Students: $8, Adults: $11, Seniors: $7.50, Family: $28
Ruapehu Adventure Rides
Mountain Heights Lodge 4576 SH4 National Park
0800 787 433
Quad and buggy rides, adventures for the whole family ranging from 1 hour to ½ day. Bookings essential. Visit www.ruapehuadventurerides.co.nz for more info
TAIHAPE, 40 minute drive from Ohakune
Taihape Museum
14 Huia Street Taihape
06 388 1488
Open Sundays: 11am-2pm, and open on request. -Admission: Donation
Majestic Theatre
5c Tui Street, Taihape
06 388 9152
Call first for a movie timetable – not open daily
Movies- AD: $15, Seniors/Students (with ID): $12, 12yr and under: $8. Operas, filmed plays and performances also available
PIPIRIKI, 40 minute from Ohakune
Bridge to nowhere
Pipiriki village
0800 480 308
Located deep in the Whanganui National Park, the trip is an exciting jet boat ride through the deep gorges of the Whanganui river to the Mangapurua landing and then a 40 minute easy uphill walk to the bridge. You can then choose to canoe back or take the jet boat. This trip is steeped in history and is a fantastic way to spend your day.
TAUMARUNUI, 55 minutes from Ohakune
Nevalea Alpacas
5446 SH4, Taumarunui
07 896 6333
Open 7 days, Mon-Fri: 9am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun: 9:30am-4pm
Prices vary based on activity. New shop with garments made on site, coffees and fresh homebaking available
TURANGI, 1 hour from Ohakune
Rafting New Zealand
41 Ngawaka Place, Turangi
07 386 0352
Whitewater rafting Tongariro River, www.raftingnewzealand.com for more info
Tokaanu Thermal Pools
379 Mangaroa Street, Tokaanu, Turangi
07 386 8575
Open 7days 10am-9pm
Public & Private pools available