Ohakune - North Island, New Zealand

Ohakune is located 35 kms to the south of National Park Township and is one of the prime market gardening regions in New Zealand. But Ohakune's more glamourous claim to fame is that it is the gateway to the Turoa Skifield.

Turoa Ski Field

Turoa Skifield is about 20 kms up the Ohakune Mountain Rd. Ohakune is littered with ski chalets and ski gear rental shops and sees peak activity from mid June to early November. It is quiet in summer but once the snows have melted, the trails open up for walking, biking and horse trekking.

Ohakune Transportation

Ohakune is accessible by both bus and train. The Auckland Wellington rail line goes through Ohakune Junction and is surrounded by hotels and restaurants catering to the skiing crowd.

The buses on the Hamilton Wanganui route stop at Ohakune Visitor Centre on Clyde St in the the central Ohakune township. The Department of Conservation (DOC) field centre is located at the foot of the Ohakune Mountain Rd and it provides all information on tramping, weather and local vegetation.

Ohakune Accommodation

Ohakune provides a wide variety of accommodation choices. There are lots of ski chalets which are packed in winter. There are also a couple of campsites. There are many lodges and a Top 10 holiday park with powered sites available for campervans.

Ohakune Activities

The Turoa Skifield offers some of New Zealand's best vertical range piste and a skiing area comparable to Whakapapa with wide groomed trails ideal for intermediate skiers.

Turoa also offers Mount Ruapheu's best apres-ski scene in Ohakune, at the foot of the mountain. There is a chain fitting service available from the skifield operators if necessary and the parking is free. There are many shuttle buses running from Ohakune.

In the ski season, Ohakune Junction is a place of intense activity. During summer, it is deserted and central Ohakune has more going on. There are excellent restaurants offering tasty brunches and coffee all day long. There is a good selection of restaurants offering mouth watering food at Ohakune Junction. There are a few good nightspots as well with more activity in winter.

Ohakune has a bevy of walking trails to suit trampers of all fitness levels. One of the best walks is the Round the Mountain Track. Some of the best short walks are the Mangawhero Forest Walk, Waitonga Falls Walk and the hike to Lake Surprise.

Mountain biking is popular 17 kms down Ohakune Mountain Rd. The forest roads of Rangataua, 12 kms to the east of Ohakune is also a popular mountain biking spot. There are cycling tour operators. Bikes can be hired as well.

Another way of enjoying the scenery is to go horse riding 4 kms east on State Highway 49 at Ruapehu Homestead.

LooknbookNZ can take arrange your Ohakune accommodation and Ohakune activities bookings and let you and your family/friends have an incredible skiing holiday on the slopes of the Turoa skifields.