Frances’s guidebook
Food scene
Where to dine or grab food in Raetihi and nearby Ohakune - places we’ve been to and highly recommended.
Local cafe serving locally roasted Volcano coffee and great food with a relaxing atmosphere.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Angel Louise Internet Cafe & Restaurant
48 Seddon StreetLocal cafe serving locally roasted Volcano coffee and great food with a relaxing atmosphere.
Be sure to be there before 11am otherwise you won't be able to get the YUM pies.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Coach Cafe Raetihi
37 Seddon StBe sure to be there before 11am otherwise you won't be able to get the YUM pies.
You can't visit Ohakune during winter season without having Johnny Nation's glorious eclair! The pies are excellent, too.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Johnny Nation's Chocolate Eclair Shop
78 Clyde StYou can't visit Ohakune during winter season without having Johnny Nation's glorious eclair! The pies are excellent, too.
Welcoming and relaxing place. Love the mussels in Thai curry and the cakes!
17 recommandé par les habitants
The Mountain Rocks Cafe & Bar
53 Clyde StWelcoming and relaxing place. Love the mussels in Thai curry and the cakes!
The place to be when craving for Indian food. Yum and the portions are filling, too.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Magic Chilli
66 Clyde StThe place to be when craving for Indian food. Yum and the portions are filling, too.
Lovely Italian restaurant in Ohakune and a personal favourite. Everything is delish! Make sure you book a table during peak months (winter) and weekends.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Italian restaurant OSTERIA
75 Clyde StLovely Italian restaurant in Ohakune and a personal favourite. Everything is delish! Make sure you book a table during peak months (winter) and weekends.
Activities
Skiing and snowboarding in winter, cycling and hiking in summer, or simply going around to enjoy the beauty of Central Plateau.
One of NZ's largest ski areas and has the nation’s longest vertical drop. On a beautiful day, you can see Mt Taranaki from the top. The High Noon Express takes you to the highest lifted point in NZ with panoramic views of the North Island.
51 recommandé par les habitants
Turoa
Ohakune Mountain RoadOne of NZ's largest ski areas and has the nation’s longest vertical drop. On a beautiful day, you can see Mt Taranaki from the top. The High Noon Express takes you to the highest lifted point in NZ with panoramic views of the North Island.
NZ's largest ski area and open to explore in summer, too. A short walk from the base area is the Meads Wall with impressive views of Mt Ngauruhoe, where several scenes from LOTR were filmed.
49 recommandé par les habitants
Whakapapa
NZ's largest ski area and open to explore in summer, too. A short walk from the base area is the Meads Wall with impressive views of Mt Ngauruhoe, where several scenes from LOTR were filmed.
Described as the best one-day hike in the country and one of the world's top 10.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Trail
Tongariro Alpine CrossingDescribed as the best one-day hike in the country and one of the world's top 10.
Bike or hike trail where you will pass by the Hapuawhenua Viaduct, a curved tunnel, and old railway bridge.
22 recommandé par les habitants
Old Coach Road Bike Trail
Bike or hike trail where you will pass by the Hapuawhenua Viaduct, a curved tunnel, and old railway bridge.
Very interesting Old West town remotely situated on the Central Plateau of the North Island and access is via pre-arranged booking.
Mellonsfolly Ranch, Old West Town
Very interesting Old West town remotely situated on the Central Plateau of the North Island and access is via pre-arranged booking.
Kids will love this park with friendly 'vegetables', playground, walks, BBQ, exercise area, public toilet, etc.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Ohakune Carrot
4 Rangataua RdKids will love this park with friendly 'vegetables', playground, walks, BBQ, exercise area, public toilet, etc.
Whanganui river adventures - jet boat, canoe and biking the Whanganui River.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Whanganui River Canoes
10 Parapara RdWhanganui river adventures - jet boat, canoe and biking the Whanganui River.
Best to enjoy on a sunny day to enjoy a ride to NZ's most unique gondola, high above Mt Ruapehu. Snowy or not, the place is spectacular to explore with a restaurant at the top as well. Fantastic short walks as well. The bottom of the gondola will lead you to Mead's Wall with spectacular view of Mt Ngauruhoe and something special if you are a LOTR fan. The top of the gondola is also the start of Whakapapa Skyline Walk.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Télécabine Sky Waka
Bruce RoadBest to enjoy on a sunny day to enjoy a ride to NZ's most unique gondola, high above Mt Ruapehu. Snowy or not, the place is spectacular to explore with a restaurant at the top as well. Fantastic short walks as well. The bottom of the gondola will lead you to Mead's Wall with spectacular view of Mt Ngauruhoe and something special if you are a LOTR fan. The top of the gondola is also the start of Whakapapa Skyline Walk.
A place to go if you want to fancy riding horses with views of the mountain. They have treks suitable for all abilities.
Ruapehu Homestead Horse Treks Ohakune
4691 State Hwy 49A place to go if you want to fancy riding horses with views of the mountain. They have treks suitable for all abilities.
Sightseeing
For those who are not into activities, below is a list of where else you can go and just enjoy nature’s beauty.
Peace and quiet spot by a beautiful river. Lovely place for picnic and a swim in summer.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Ruatiti Domain
Peace and quiet spot by a beautiful river. Lovely place for picnic and a swim in summer.
The first stop on the famous Whanganui River Journey from Raetihi. Interesting and beautiful road to travel on a good day from Raetihi to Whanganui. From here you can also take a jetboat to the Bridge to Nowhere.
Pipiriki
The first stop on the famous Whanganui River Journey from Raetihi. Interesting and beautiful road to travel on a good day from Raetihi to Whanganui. From here you can also take a jetboat to the Bridge to Nowhere.
Waterfalls
Unmissable waterfalls around the area - especially when exploring Ruapehu.
Go to this place on a clear day to see stunning mountain views on the way the falls. The open area of marshland with boardwalk is our favourite place. About 1hr 20min return track from the parking area. The falls itself is Tongariro National Park’s highest waterfall. Approx. 25mins from Raetihi.
11 recommandé par les habitants
Waitonga Falls Track
Go to this place on a clear day to see stunning mountain views on the way the falls. The open area of marshland with boardwalk is our favourite place. About 1hr 20min return track from the parking area. The falls itself is Tongariro National Park’s highest waterfall. Approx. 25mins from Raetihi.
Enjoy excellent views of a beautiful waterfall very close to the road on the way up to Turoa Skifield. The top of the falls is the spot where Gollum tries to catch some juicy fish in LOTR. Approx. 27mins from Raetihi.
Mangawhero Falls
Ohakune Mountain RoadEnjoy excellent views of a beautiful waterfall very close to the road on the way up to Turoa Skifield. The top of the falls is the spot where Gollum tries to catch some juicy fish in LOTR. Approx. 27mins from Raetihi.
Beautiful waterfall, easy 20min walk just off the road to the Chateau in Whakapapa Village. Great as well if you are LOTR fan. Approx. half an hour from Raetihi.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Chutes Tawhai (Piscine de Gollum)
Beautiful waterfall, easy 20min walk just off the road to the Chateau in Whakapapa Village. Great as well if you are LOTR fan. Approx. half an hour from Raetihi.
A 5-6km loop tramp to see this fantastic waterfall. In the bush you will views of Wairere Stream and pass a smaller waterfall called Cascade Falls. Approx. 35mins from Raetihi.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Taranaki Falls
State Highway 48A 5-6km loop tramp to see this fantastic waterfall. In the bush you will views of Wairere Stream and pass a smaller waterfall called Cascade Falls. Approx. 35mins from Raetihi.
A roadside waterfall located on the Mangawhero River and seen from a lookout platform along SH4 (Parapara Road).
Raukawa Falls
5257 State Hwy 4A roadside waterfall located on the Mangawhero River and seen from a lookout platform along SH4 (Parapara Road).
Arts & Culture
For those who appreciate arts, crafts and culture - the following has history, reveals the talents of local artists and your opportunity to take home a true piece of Ruapehu.
Opens only every Sunday, this museum has an interesting collection focussing on the history of the Central Plateau. Check out the jail cells as well.
Waimarino Museum
101 Seddon StOpens only every Sunday, this museum has an interesting collection focussing on the history of the Central Plateau. Check out the jail cells as well.
Interesting museum that showcases NZ's military history. Display of weapons, war memorabilia, military vehicles, medals, etc. Good cafe and souvenir shop, too.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Musée national de l'armée de Waiouru
Hassett DriveInteresting museum that showcases NZ's military history. Display of weapons, war memorabilia, military vehicles, medals, etc. Good cafe and souvenir shop, too.
Great place for kids and adults. Amazing and informative collection. Very friendly hosts
Dinosaur House
102 Seddon StGreat place for kids and adults. Amazing and informative collection. Very friendly hosts
Looking for a place to buy something uniquely Raetihi or Ruapehu? This is the place! Local art and food. Lovely one-of-a-kind dresses. Equally lovely people to meet.
Volcano Vibe Collective
43 Seddon StLooking for a place to buy something uniquely Raetihi or Ruapehu? This is the place! Local art and food. Lovely one-of-a-kind dresses. Equally lovely people to meet.
Essentials
Convenient local grocery with a range of food supplies, fresh produce, meat, and drink - all the basics and essentials.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Four Square Raetihi
72 Seddon StConvenient local grocery with a range of food supplies, fresh produce, meat, and drink - all the basics and essentials.
If you want to know anything about the town, this is the place to be. It also has giftware items, local honey, postcards and souvenir items that you might fancy.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Raetihi Information Centre
46 Seddon StIf you want to know anything about the town, this is the place to be. It also has giftware items, local honey, postcards and souvenir items that you might fancy.
Caltex - Raetihi
2 Parapara RdLocal petrol station and the Intercity bus stop as well.
Nearest Laundromat. Also, to the south you will see concrete walkway to Makotuku River. Glow worms at night so bring a torch but please do not make too much noise.
Raetihi Holiday Park & Cabins
10 Parapara RdNearest Laundromat. Also, to the south you will see concrete walkway to Makotuku River. Glow worms at night so bring a torch but please do not make too much noise.
Nearest supermarket just 11 minutes away. Try not to be there late afternoon during ski season as it is full of holidayers.
57 recommandé par les habitants
New World Ohakune
12 Goldfinch StNearest supermarket just 11 minutes away. Try not to be there late afternoon during ski season as it is full of holidayers.
If you're driving on SH4 to/from Raetihi, it's easy to spot Young's Honesty Box stall with farm-fresh vegies from local growers - carrots, potatoes, broccoli, parsnips, etc. Be sure to have cash/coins with you.
Kim Young & Sons Ltd
6740 State Hwy 4If you're driving on SH4 to/from Raetihi, it's easy to spot Young's Honesty Box stall with farm-fresh vegies from local growers - carrots, potatoes, broccoli, parsnips, etc. Be sure to have cash/coins with you.
Walking and Hiking
A few local short walks.
Easy nearby local walkway few minutes walk from our place. Lovely leisurely walk we enjoy, a few loops through the bush, can even dip in water during summer, picnic/bbq areas, some artwork, and glow worms.
Makotuku River Trail
Easy nearby local walkway few minutes walk from our place. Lovely leisurely walk we enjoy, a few loops through the bush, can even dip in water during summer, picnic/bbq areas, some artwork, and glow worms.
Ameku Road Walkway is quite new, around 2km from Raetihi township. The start of this local trail is at 148 Ameku Road infront of the public toilets. It is roughly 20mins, an easy climb 180m with a great view of Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Hauhungatahi. It was cloudy on the west side when we climbed it but I'm pretty sure Mt Taranaki can be seen on a fine day. Lovely picnic table on top to enjoy the view.
Ameku Road, Raetihi, Nouvelle-Zélande
Ameku Road Walkway is quite new, around 2km from Raetihi township. The start of this local trail is at 148 Ameku Road infront of the public toilets. It is roughly 20mins, an easy climb 180m with a great view of Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Hauhungatahi. It was cloudy on the west side when we climbed it but I'm pretty sure Mt Taranaki can be seen on a fine day. Lovely picnic table on top to enjoy the view.