Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Owhango
POP 210
A pint-sized village where all the street names start with 'O', Owhango makes a cosy base
for walkers, mountain bikers (the
42 Traverse
ends here) and skiers who can't afford to stay
closer to the slopes in Tongariro National Park. Take Omaki Rd for a two-hour loop walk
through virgin forest in
Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve
.
Sleeping & Eating
Forest Lodge
( 07-895 4854;
www.owhangohotel.co.nz/forest-lodge
;
12 Omaki Rd; dm/d $25/60, motel d $80; )
A snug
backpackers with comfortable, clean rooms and good communal spaces. For privacy
junkies there's a separate self-contained motel next door. Mountain-bike rental and bike-
shuttle services for the 42 Traverse are also available.
LODGE
$
Blue Duck Station
( 07-895 6276;
www.blueduckstation.co.nz
;
RD2, Whakahoro; dm/d $45/195)
Overlooking the
Retaruke River 36km southwest of Owhango (take the Kaitieke turn-off 1km south of
town), this eco-savvy place is actually various lodges, offering accommodation from
dorms in an old shearers' quarters to a self-contained family cottage sleeping eight. The
owners are mad-keen conservationists, restoring native-bird habitats and historic build-
ings.
LODGE, HOSTEL
$$
Cafe 39 South
( 07-895 4800;
www.facebook.com/cafe39south
;
SH4; meals $9-20; 8am-3pm Mon-Thu, to 4pm Sat & Sun)
The food is delicious - try the sweetcorn fritters - the coffee is excellent, and the electric
fire and daily soup specials will make you want to linger on cold days. The 39° South lat-
itude marker is just across the road.
CAFE
$
Getting There & Away
Owhango is 14km south of Taumarunui on SH4. All the
InterCity
(
0508 353 947;
www.intercity.co.nz
)
buses that stop in Taumarunui also stop here.
