Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wades Landing Outdoors
CANOEING, KAYAKING
OFFLINE MAP
( 07-895 4854;
www.whanganui.co.nz
; 11 Kaitieke Rd, Raurimu)
Offers freedom kayak and ca-
noe hire for one- to five-day Whanganui River expeditions, including jetboat/road trans-
fers to trailheads ($150 to $190). Also mountain-biking shuttles, Alpine Crossing trans-
port ($35),
Lord of the Rings
tours and a 'prehistoric driftwood sculpture park'.
Kiwi Mountain Bikes
MOUNTAIN BIKING
( 0800 562 4537;
www.kiwimountainbikes.co.nz
; 54 Carroll St)
Affable Rick rents mountain
bikes (half/full day from $40/65) and provides bike transport to the 17km (mostly) down-
hill Fishers Track and 42 Traverse ($35), as well as information and transport for other
trails in the area.
Climbing Wall
CLIMBING
(
www.npbp.co.nz
; 4 Findlay St; adult/child $15/10; 9am-8pm)
For rainy days there's an 8m-
high indoor climbing wall at National Park Backpackers. Outdoor climbers with their
own gear can find spots near Manataupo Valley and Whakapapa Gorge.
Sleeping
National Park is a town of budget and midrange accommodation. This makes sense, as
you'll probably spend most of your time in the great outdoors.
The following listings give summer prices; be warned that when the ski season is in
full swing, accommodation is tight and bookings are essential.
Plateau
LODGE, HOSTEL $
( 07-892 2993;
www.plateaulodge.co.nz
;
17 Carroll St; dm $30, d $70-110, apt from $160; )
Family-friendly Plateau has cosy rooms, some with en suite and TV, as well as an attract-
ive communal lounge, kitchen and hot tub. The dorms don't get bigger than two sets of
bunks and there are two-bedroom apartments sleeping up to six. Local shuttle services
available.
National Park Backpackers
HOSTEL $
( 07-892 2870;
www.npbp.co.nz
;
4 Findlay St; dm $26-29, d $62-86; )
This big, old board
and batten YHA hostel has a large garden for lounging, a well-equipped kitchen and
standard rooms. It's a good one-stop shop for booking activities in the area, and is home
to the Climbing Wall for when the weather turns to custard. Small shop on site.
