Ohakune is a town in the Ruapehu district of the central North Island of New Zealand, adjacent to Tongariro National Park.
Ohakune is well regarded as a winter destination within New Zealand. It is at the base of Ruapehu mountain and is known as the ski capital of the North Island. Winters are the busy season for Ohakune, attracting skiers from all over New Zealand, Australia and beyond. The town makes a delightful stopover in the summertime too, when visitors are fewer and the walks and hikes around town are inviting.
The town is divided into two parts. The "upper" part, also called the Junction, is around the train station and its vicinity. It is home to a number of lodges, inns and cafes, and is also closest to Tongariro National Park. The lower part of town is larger and contains shops, restaurants, an i center, as well as a riverside park.
- The World's Largest Carrot. A 7.5m tall model carrot, originally used in an advert for a bank, then donated to Ohakune in 1984.
- Ruapehu Mountain.
- Ohakune Railway Museum, 52 Thames Street (near the station. Thu - Sun 10AM - 2PM. A small volunteer run exhibition, with a slightly random collection of railway equipment and a display on the Tangiwai Disaster (a nearby railway bridge collapsed in 1953 killing 151). donation.
- National Army Museum, State Highway 1, Waiouru 4861 (about 30km east of Ohakune., +64 06 387 6911. Daily 9am to 4.30pm. $15.00.
The World's Largest Carrot. A 7.5m tall model carrot, originally used in an advert for a bank, then donated to Ohakune in 1984.
Ruapehu Mountain.
Ohakune Railway Museum, 52 Thames Street (near the station. Thu - Sun 10AM - 2PM. A small volunteer run exhibition, with a slightly random collection of railway equipment and a display on the Tangiwai Disaster (a nearby railway bridge collapsed in 1953 killing 151). donation.
National Army Museum, State Highway 1, Waiouru 4861 (about 30km east of Ohakune., +64 06 387 6911. Daily 9am to 4.30pm. $15.00.
- Ski
- Walk or hike in Tongariro National Park. The park's entrance and Ranger Station is located on Mountain Road, just north of the train station. The Rimu and Mangawhero Forest are short walks and easily accessible for those staying in Ohakune.
- Skateboard on the half pipe, located along Clyde Street in the lower part of town.
- New World, 12 Goldfinch St. daily 7:00AM - 7:30PM (7:00PM on Sun). Supermarket
New World, 12 Goldfinch St. daily 7:00AM - 7:30PM (7:00PM on Sun). Supermarket
- The Bearing Point Restaurant & Bar, 55 Clyde Street, +64 6-385 9006.
- Powderhorn Chateau, 194 Mangawhero Tce (Bottom of Mountain Road, +64 6 385 8888. The Powderkeg Restaurant – Open from 4.00pm until late.
- OCR Cafe (Old Coach Road Ohakune), 2 Tyne Street, +64 6 385 8322. Open from 8:30am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. Dine at OCR cafe Ohakune. Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner/ Bar.
- The Suitcase, 5 Rimu Street.
The Bearing Point Restaurant & Bar, 55 Clyde Street, +64 6-385 9006.
Powderhorn Chateau, 194 Mangawhero Tce (Bottom of Mountain Road, +64 6 385 8888. The Powderkeg Restaurant – Open from 4.00pm until late.
OCR Cafe (Old Coach Road Ohakune), 2 Tyne Street, +64 6 385 8322. Open from 8:30am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. Dine at OCR cafe Ohakune. Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner/ Bar.
The Suitcase, 5 Rimu Street.
- Powder Keg Bar and Cafe
- National Park Village
- Raetihi
- Tongariro National Park
- Turangi