Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 06-385 8197, 0800 322 388;
www.yetitours.co.nz
;
61 Clyde St; guided tours 2-6 days $365-895, 2-6 day hire
$175-210)
Leads guided canoeing safaris on the Whanganui and Mokau Rivers, and hires
canoes and kayaks.
HELICOPTER
Heliview
( 0800 435 426;
www.heliview.co.nz
; Ohakune Airfield, SH49; flights 35/45mins $329/439)
Offers scenic
helicopter flights including the 35-minute 'Carrot to Crater' flight over the summit of
Ruapehu, or the 45-minute 'Three Peaks' over the park's mountain trio.
MOUNTAIN BIKING THE OLD COACH ROAD
The
Ohakune Old Coach Road
(
www.ohakunecoachroad.co.nz
) is a fantastic adventure for moderately fit cyc-
lists, with local operators offering all the gear and transport to make things easy.
An excellent example of restoration for recreation, the dual-use (walking and cycling) track follows the origin-
al 15km coach track from Ohakune to Horopito. Dating from 1886, it was built largely by hand by workers who
lived in canvas tents and endured harsh winter conditions. The track was gradually upgraded to carry passengers
and goods, and used until 1909 when SH49 opened. Largely forgotten and overgrown, the Old Coach Road was
resurrected by the locals and restored to glory.
And glorious it is. One of the most enjoyable half-day (three to four hours) cycle rides in NZ, the gently graded
route passes a number of unique engineering features, including the historic Hapuawhenua and Toanui viaducts -
the only two remaining curved viaducts in the southern hemisphere. It also passes through ancient forest of giant
rimu and totara that survived the Taupo blast of AD 180, being in the lea of Ruapehu. Views extend over the odd-
shaped hillocks and mesa around the foot of the volcano.
Cyclists are best to start at Horopito (where you can check out the car graveyard known as 'Smash Palace'), as
this gives you more downhill, overall. The odd push uphill may well be required, but you'll get sufficient in-the-
saddle time to justify the effort - especially on some of the sweeping downhills underlaid with historic cobble-
stones. This is wobbly, freewheeling fun for the whole family.
And this is just the tip of the Central Plateau's mountain-biking iceberg. The Old Coach Road is the start of the
Mountains to Sea Trail
(Nga Ara Tuhono;
www.mountainstosea.co.nz
), a 317km route from Mt Ruapehu to
Whanganui. This epic also encompasses the improving Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka Tracks, easily accessible
from Ohakune and National Park and set to challenge the long-established
42 Traverse
and
Fishers Track
as the
must-do day-rides in the area.
For bike hire and shuttles, visit TCB (
Click here
) and Mountain Bike Station (
Click here
) in Ohakune, and Ki-
wi Mountain Bikes (
Click here
) in National Park.
Sleeping
The prices listed are for summer; expect to pay up to twice as much in winter and book
ahead. Savings can be made on winter rates by booking midweek.
Station Lodge
HOSTEL
$
