Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Whakapapa Village this 2½-hour, 7km loop track leads to the Silica Rapids, named
for the silica mineral deposits formed there by rapids on the Waikare Stream.
Tama Lakes Track
Part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, starting at Whakapapa Village, this 17km return
track leads to the Tama Lakes, on the Tama Saddle between Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe (five
to six hours return). The upper lake affords fine views of Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.
HIKING
Edge to Edge
( 0800 800 754;
www.edgetoedge.co.nz
; Skotel Alpine Resort; 1-day full ski gear $35-65, 1-day snowboard gear
$43-71)
Stocks an extensive range of skiing, climbing and alpine gear for hire.
EQUIPMENT HIRE
Sleeping & Eating
Whakapapa Village has limited accommodation, and during ski season prices hit their
peak. A greater range of options can be found in National Park Village and Ohakune, with
the latter offering the most in the way of eating and shopping.
HOLIDAY PARK
$
Whakapapa Holiday Park
( 07-892 3897;
www.whakapapa.net.nz
;
campsites from $19, dm $25, units $69-149; )
This popular
DOC-associated park beside Whakapapanui Stream has a wide range of accommodation
options, including campervan sites perched on the edge of beautiful beech forest, a 32-bed
backpackers lodge (linen required), cabins (linen required) and a self-contained unit. The
camp store stocks basic groceries.
Mangahuia DOC Campsite
MAP
CAMPING GROUND
$
(
www.doc.govt.nz
;
sites per adult/child $6/3)
Situated between National Park Village and the
SH48 turn-off heading to Whakapapa, this basic roadside DOC campsite has bushy nooks,
cold water and pit toilets for self-contained campers only.
Skotel Alpine Resort
( 07-892 3719, 0800 756 835;
www.skotel.co.nz
;
Ngauruhoe Pl; s/tw/tr without bathroom $40/55/75, r with bath-
room $110-185, cabins $185; )
If you think of it more as a hostel than a hotel, you'll excuse
the odd bit of stained carpet or cheap lino, and enjoy the timber-lined alpine ambience and
HOSTEL
$
