10 Luxury Experiences 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.

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 722 m (2,369 ft) 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 19 km (12 mi) from Ohakune town centre. Whakapapa – Bruce Road, approximately 57 km (35 mi) from Ohakune town centre.

© Visit Ruapehu

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 580 m (1,903 ft) 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 20 Best Golf Courses in New Zealand.

Location: Golf Course Road, Raetihi, approximately 6 km (4 mi) 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 38 km (24 mi) 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 11 km (7 mi) from Ohakune town centre.

© Visit Ruapehu

6. Do a Scenic Horse Trek

Saddle up for an unforgettable adventure at the utterly remote Blue Duck Station, where the rolling farmlands meet the rugged beauty of Whanganui National Park.

Nestled on the banks of the Whanganui and Retaruke Rivers, this outdoor enthusiast’s playground offers half-day treks (around 3 hrs) suitable for riders of all abilities aged 12 and over, under 90 kg (198 lbs). The scenery is nothing short of spectacular: native bush canopy, winding rivers and streams, ridge-top tracks and mountain views that’ll take your breath away.

For experienced riders, multi-day treks are available, complete with all meals and a scenic jet boat tour on the Whanganui River. You can bring your own hill-fit, well-behaved horse or ride one of their experienced trekking horses.

Location: 4265 Oio Road, Retaruke. Approximately 97.5 km (60 mi) from Ohakune.

© Visit Ruapehu

7. Explore the Mountains on a Private Helicopter Flight

For a truly unforgettable experience, a private helicopter flight over Tongariro National Park and Mt Ruapehu delivers spectacular aerial views of volcanic peaks, alpine tussocks and crater lakes.

Experience the Central Plateau from a whole new perspective as you soar over dramatic landscapes, hidden valleys and rugged terrain that are otherwise inaccessible.

Kaimanawa Alpine Adventures offers tailored routes in their AS350 helicopter that seats five to six people, making it ideal for couples or small groups. Fancy crater lakes or ridgelines? Just ask them and they’ll customise the flight to your interests.

Discovery Helicopter Flights departs from the Discovery Lodge helipad near Whakapapa Village, providing modern, air-conditioned aircraft with guided commentary. Their tours are flexible, allowing you to select flight paths and landing spots for a personalised, high-end experience.

Location: Turangi, Waikato or Discovery Lodge Helipad, Whakapapa Village.

© Visit Ruapehu

8. Unwind with a Massage Treatment

Ease the aches from your strenuous hikes, canoe journeys, or skiing with a blissful massage. Ohakune has a few fabulous spas offering luxury treatments to help you relax and rejuvenate.

Restorative Massage by Alexis Gault brings the experience straight to your accommodation, providing a luxurious massage where afterwards you may simply rest in that nourishing, post-massage, liminal space.

Alternatively, Barefoot Beauty offers a comprehensive menu of organic facial treatments and skincare, relaxing and detoxifying body treatments, herbal soaks, couples therapy, warming massages and more.

Snowman Lodge and Spa also provide aroma massages in their treatment room, along with sauna and hot tub sessions, perfect for a post-adventure unwind.

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, it’s a great excuse to hit the boutique shops of town.

Commemorate your time on the mountains of Tongariro and Ruapehu with modern NZ-made apparel from Strange Dog Print and Design.

Pick up unique locally-made crafts from Cornercopia, or explore The Craft Haus at the railway station for premium merino wool clothing, luxury homewares, artwork, and more, complete with an in-store espresso bar to warm up before heading back out.

For a fully made-in-New-Zealand clothing experience, don’t miss Opus Fresh Apparel Co. This boutique combines stylish merino apparel with a café vibe, offering volcanic coffee while you browse their NZ-made collections.

For more rainy day ideas, check out the 10 Things to Do in Ohakune on a Rainy Day.

Location: Strange Dog Print and Design – 19a Goldfinch Street. Cornercopia – 33 Clyde Street. The Craft Haus – 31 Thames Road. Opus Fresh Apparel Co. – Ohakune Railway Station, Thames Street.

© 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.

The Cyprus Tree is well worth booking a table for, offering a creative tapas-style menu with Mediterranean flair. Share plates range from garlic pizza bread and hummus pizza to jerk salmon and spiced lamb roti, while mains include scotch fillet, lamb rump, smoked beef short rib and duck laksa. Save room for their playful desserts like banoffee sundae or New York brownie.

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.

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