9 Luxury Activities in Ohakune

1. Take a Guided Hike of the Tongariro Crossing, to Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake or Elsewhere

Ohakune is surrounded by New Zealand’s highest volcanoes and a world heritage area, so explore some of its most extreme environments of extreme beauty on a guided hike. A highlight is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a full-day adventure traversing volcanic peaks where Adrift Tongariro offers private guided hikes, as well as a guided sunrise hike to experience this popular attraction with fewer people under the light of a new day.  Alternatively, get well and truly off the beaten track to the volcanic Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake or to the summit of Mt Ngauruhoe. Find out more about Adrift Tongariro’s tours on Viator or Tripadvisor.

Location: Pick-ups available from Ohakune.

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2. Hit the Ski Slopes of Mt Ruapehu

Speaking of Mt Ruapehu, the mountain is home to two of New Zealand’s most popular ski fields, which are open in winter (July to September). Turoa is the closest ski field to Ohakune, boasting New Zealand’s longest vertical drop at 722m (2,369ft) and lifts taking you to the highest lift point in the country. On the other side of the mountain, Whakapapa is the largest ski field in New Zealand and features attractive mountain cafes and views of Mt Ngauruhoe. Learn more in the Ski Season in New Zealand: North Island or South Island?

Location: Turoa – Ohakune Mountain Road, approximately 19km (12 miles) from Ohakune town centre. Whakapapa – Bruce Road, approximately 57km (35 miles) from Ohakune town centre.

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3. Tee Off at the Waimarino Golf Club

A more relaxing way to enjoy the great outdoors of Ohakune is on the fairways of the Waimarino Golf Club. The par 72 championship course sits 580m (1,903ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest golf courses in New Zealand. Enjoy ever-present views of Mt Ruapehu as you tee off in picturesque parkland surroundings. Clubs and carts are available to hire, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own gear. See how the golf course compares with the 21 Best Golf Courses in New Zealand.

Location: Golf Course Road, Raetihi, approximately 6km (4 miles) from Ohakune town centre.

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4. Venture Down the Whanganui River on a Jet Boat

Swap alpine volcanoes for lush river landscapes in the Whanganui National Park, another natural highlight and wilderness must-do near Ohakune. An easy way to experience New Zealand’s longest navigatable river is on a jet boat tour. Join Bridge to Nowhere Lodge & Tours or Whanganui River Adventures for a day trip to the famous Bridge to Nowhere abandoned in the untamed forest of the national park. Your guides will tell you about the river’s intriguing Maori and European history, as well as take you to visit towering river waterfalls and show you the incredibly precise manoeuvres of New Zealand’s jet boats.

Location: Pipiriki, approximately 38km (24 miles) from Ohakune town centre.

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5. Complete the Whanganui Journey Great Walk on a Guided Canoe Trip

Another way to experience the Whanganui River is by doing the New Zealand Great Walk, the Whanganui Journey. A more premium variation of this three-to-five-day trip is on a guided tour where canoe hire, accommodation in the Great Walk huts and meals are provided. Canoe Safaris and Adrift Tongariro offer tours and pick-ups from Ohakune while Whanganui River Canoes is another tour company for the Whanganui River based in the neighbouring town of Raetihi. Learn more about New Zealand’s premium canoe trip in The Guide to the Whanganui Journey.

Location: Canoe Safaris – 6 Tay Street, Ohakune town centre. Adrift Tongariro – Offers pick-ups from Ohakune. Whanganui River Canoes – 10 Parapara Road, Raetihi, approximately 11km (7 miles) from Ohakune town centre.

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6. Do a Scenic Horse Trek

The rolling farmlands, quaint historic villages and volcano backdrop make for a unique setting to saddle up in New Zealand. Ruapehu Homestead Horsetrekking offers a range of treks to suit all ages and abilities, such as a gentle one-hour trail through streams or the quaint historic village of Rangataua and 1-3-hour trails through bush and farmland with mountain scenery for experienced riders. Alternatively, don your cowboy hat and join Mellonsfolly Ranch/Old West Town for a trek in the wilderness of the Ruatiti Valley.

Location: Ruapehu Homestead Horsetrekking – 4691 State Highway 49, approximately 5km (3 miles) from Ohakune town centre. Mellonsfolly Ranch – 440 Crotons Road, Ruatiti Valley, approximately 48km (30 miles) from Ohakune town centre.

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7. Indulge in High Tea at the Chateau Tongariro [CLOSED]

Update: Due to the derelict state of the building, Chateau Tongariro is no longer accepting bookings.

If venturing to the other side of Mt Ruapehu with Whakapapa Village, its ski field and wealth of short walks, don’t miss high tea at the Chateau Tongariro too! Set into the Ruapehu Lounge of the historic hotel, Chateau Tongariro’s high tea treats patrons to indulgent finger sandwiches, scones and an array of sweet treats. Choose from their extensive tea menu served in dainty teacups and ask for a seat by the Ngauruhoe window for the best views of the Tongariro National Park.

Location: Whakapapa Village, approximately 50km (31 miles) from Ohakune town centre.

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8. Unwind with a Massage Treatment

Ease the aches from your strenuous hikes, canoe journeys or skiing with a blissful massage. Ohakune has a couple of fabulous spas, such as Barefoot Beauty offering a comprehensive menu of organic facial treatments and skincare, relaxing and detoxifying body treatments, herbal soaks, couples therapy, warming massages and much more. Alternatively, Snowman Lodge and Spa offer an aroma massage in their treatment room, as well as sauna and hot tub sessions.

Location: Barefoot Beauty – 78 Tawhero Street. Snowman Lodge and Spa – 68 Clyde Street.

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9. Do Some Boutique Shopping in Ohakune Town

If the mountain is closed, the Tongariro Crossing is cancelled or if you’re simply looking for an alternative luxury activity in Ohakune, then that’s a good excuse to hit the boutique shops of Ohakune. Commemorate your time on the mountains of Tongariro and Ruapehu with some modern NZ-made apparel from Strange Dog Print and Design. Pick up something local from Cornercopia selling locally-made crafts or The Craft Haus at the railway station for its premium merino wool clothing, luxury homewares, artwork and more. The latter even has an espresso bar in-store so you can warm up before heading out. For more rainy day ideas, check out the 10 Things to Do in Ohakune on a Rainy Day.

Loction: Strange Dog Print and Design – 19a Goldfinch Street. Cornercopia – 33 Clyde Street. The Craft Haus – 31 Thames Road.

© Visit Ruapehu

10. Indulge in Ohakune’s Finest Restaurants

While Ohakune has more of a relaxed apres-ski vibe with plenty of bars, street food and takeaways, you’ll still find the odd premium dining experience in town. Boasting one of the largest craft beers menus in town along with their speciality, New Zealand lamb and venison, The Cyprus Tree is well worth booking a table for. An excellent place to relax with friends and family, Industry Bar and Grill provides affordable luxury with beautifully presented plates of grilled merino lamb, salmon, steak and more. Finally, whether you’re staying in their luxury accommodation or not, don’t miss a trip to the Powderkeg Restaurant at The Junction for their international menu of gourmet scotch fillet to confit duck to burgers to housemade pizzas.

Location: The Cyprus Tree – 77 Clyde Street. Industry Bar and Grill – 55 Clyde Street. Powderkeg Restaurant – 194 Mangawhero Terrace.

© Visit Ruapehu