Destination guides > Pacific Islands > New Zealand > Manawatu-Wanganui > Ruapehu District > Ohakune
Ohakune
Ohakune is an attractive little ski town on the southern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, at the foot of the road leading to the Turoa Ski Resort. It’s far, far busier in the winter, when most skiers and snowboarders tend to congregate in the lodges, bars and restaurants at the northern end of town, called the Junction. However, the main commercial strip in the southern part has some nice restaurants, bars, and shops as well, and there’s more atmosphere than in National Park Village, which is 20 minutes away.
In the summer, the town can get very quiet and most hostel facilities are kind of barebones. There seems to be little incentive for hostels to court traditional backpacker crowds, as they get most of their business in the ski season.
In addition to skiing, Ohakune is widely known as the carrot capital of New Zealand, and the giant carrot sculpture in town makes a kitschy photo-op.
Practical information
INFORMATION CENTRES
Ruapehu i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
54 Clyde Street, Ohakune
Tel (06) 385 8427
Website www.visitruapehu.com
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-3.30pm
Department of Conservation
Ohakune Mountain Road, Ohakune
Tel (06) 385 0010
Website www.doc.govt.nz
Open Mon-Fri 9am-12.30pm
& 1pm-3pm
Coming & going
Ohakune has good transport connections. The daily Overlander train on the Auckland-Wellington line stops here and InterCity Coachlines (tel (04) 385 0520) stop opposite the Holiday Shop (27 Clyde Street, Ohakune).
Tongariro National Park Shuttle Transport (tel (06) 385 8561) run a shuttle from Ohakune to the trailhead of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The return trip costs $25.
Hostel accommodation
Alpine Backpackers
7 Miro Street, Ohakune
Tel (06) 385 8758
The Hobbit
Corner Goldfinch & Wye Streets, Ohakune
Tel (06) 385 8248
Matai Lodge
1 Rata Street, Ohakune
Tel (06) 385 9169 or (06) 385 8724
Rimu Park Lodge
27 Rimu Street, Ohakune
Tel (06) 385 9023
Station Lodge
60 Thames Street, Ohakune
Tel (06) 385 8797
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