Radiant Ruapehu: Outdoor adventures in NZ’s winter playground
Discover Ruapehu: home to NZ’s most epic outdoor adventures, food & culture.
Just a few hours’ drive from Auckland and Wellington, you’ll find New Zealand’s largest ski area - Ruapehu. This winter wonderland is more than just a maunga though. The snow-capped peaks and towering volcanoes frame a natural wonderland featuring two national parks and miles of beautiful, untouched nature to explore.
And the best part? Ruapehu is great all year round, with some of NZ’s best skiing, hiking, mountain biking and outdoor adventures to enjoy.
You might come for the adventure, but you’ll want to stay for the delicious food, rich culture, and the welcoming locals. Check out our guide to discovering the greater outdoors here in Ruapehu and start planning your next adventure.
ADVENTURE IN OUR GREATER OUTDOORS Ski Mt Ruapehu
Buy one pass to one maunga and experience two of New Zealand’s biggest ski fields - Whakapapa and Turoa. For beginners there’s nowhere better than Whakapapa, home to NZ’s largest beginner ski field, Happy Valley. Seasoned experts will love Turoa, home to epic terrain parks and a gnarly vertical descent of 722m.
If you don’t fancy skiing but still want to experience the maunga try the Sky Waka - the longest gondola ride in Aotearoa. This epic experience is 1.8km long with a peak elevation of 2,020m. Once you get to the top, take in the breathtaking mountain landscape and try NZ’s highest dining experience at Knoll Ridge Chalet.
Experience NZ’s best day hike
The Tongariro National Park is a Dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, revered for its cultural significance and breathtaking natural beauty. It’s also home to one of NZ’s best day hike, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Grab an expert guide with Adrift Tongariro and explore the snowcapped mountains, brilliant crater lakes and stunning alpine landscape.
Did you know? The Tongariro National Park has been recognised with Dual World Heritage status awarded in 1990 by UNESCO due to the park’s cultural and environmental importance.
Tour Tongariro National Park on a quad bike
Don’t fancy walking? Grab a quad bike with Ruapehu Adventure Rides and cross streams, explore the forests and rocket over untouched open country overlooking the Tongariro National Park. Ruapehu Adventure Rides will provide everything including quad bikes, helmets and a local guide so just bring a good attitude!
The Chef’s Table on top of the world at Blue Duck Station
Jet boat on the Whanganui River
Jump in a high-powered jet boat and whip through the mystical waters and deep gorges of the Whanganui River. While you’re at it, look out for the famous ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. This bridge was funded by the Government to connect a settlement of servicemen returning from the war but soon after, it was damaged by flood and the settlement was disbanded. Decades later, the grand old bridge still stands amidst the wilderness.
Cycle a historic railroad
The Ohakune Old Coach Road Bike Trail is a 15km, multi-terrain trail which was originally built over a century ago to ferry passengers by horse-drawn carriage between two stations on an unfinished rail line. Today, it makes for phenomenal cycling, featuring a ride through one of NZ’s last old growth forests and over what was the largest curved wooden railway bridge in the world in the early 1900s.
Hug the Ohakune Carrot
The larger-than-life Ohakune Carrot holds the crown as the most eye-popping landmark in New Zealand - it’s not exactly a ‘must-see’, more of a ‘can’t-miss!’ This 7.5-metre-tall model vegetable was built for a TV commercial for ANZ Bank then donated to the town which is famed for its market gardening history.
EXPLORE MUSEUMS, CULTURE, AND CRAFTS Shop local designers in a heritage railway station
In the charming surrounds of the Ohakune heritage railway station, the Craft Haus sells the work of local fashion designers, artists, and makers. Grab an espresso from the onsite barista (or craft beer from Ruapehu Brewing) and browse their locally made merino wool clothing, arts, and crafts.
Experience history at the National Army Museum
The National Army Museum Te Mata Toa tells the intriguing stories of real-life soldiers and NZ’s military history. Browse the memorial greenstone wall and huge collections of military vehicles, weaponry and displays to gain a rare insight into what life was like during these tumultuous periods of our history.
Meet a T-Rex at the Dinosaur House Museum
Short of going back in time a trip to The Dinosaur House Museum in the historic town of Raetihi is the closest you can get to seeing these prehistoric beasts in New Zealand. The museum houses the country’s largest privately owned collection of dinosaur bones, fossils, and life-sized models!
See the works of Michel Tuffery at the Raetihi Arts Trust Gallery
Michael Tuffery is a Kiwi artist of Samoan, Tahitian and Cook Islands descent who has been described as one of New Zealand’s most prominent artists. His intriguing work in the mediums of sculpture, painting and mixed media are lauded and exhibited globally, but you can see one of the world’s biggest collections here in Ruapehu at the Raetihi Arts Trust Gallery.
FOODIE EXPERIENCES: EAT DRINK AND BE MERRY Try an OMG burger at The Blind Finch
The Blind Finch is a serious contender for the title of New Zealand’s tastiest burger. These guys bake their own buns every day then fire their patties over a hot wood-fired-grill to give them extra smoky flavour. Go for the OMG Burger with beef, bacon, fried egg, and hash brown and thank us later.
Enjoy high tea at Chateau Tongariro Hotel
In the midst of the roaring 20s, a luxurious and grand chateau opened at the feet of one of New Zealand’s most impressive mountain ranges. A century later, this grand old hotel still retains its former opulence, making it the perfect place for a decadent high tea with a glass of bubbles in hand.
Savour an eclair (or six) at Johnny Nation’s
You might have tasted an eclair, but you’ve never tasted one quite like the creamy beauties they make at Johnny Nation’s. These fist sized, decadent pastries have become a daily ritual for locals and tourists during the ski season and are the ultimate dessert (or breakfast, we won’t judge).
Taste foraged local ingredients elegantly plated at The Chef’s Table at Blue Duck Station
In the midst of a lush native rainforest, you’ll find a refined, top of the world dining experience with a focus on sustainably farmed local produce and foraged native ingredients. The experience starts with an ATV tour of the nearby native bush where you’ll learn about the station’s ongoing conservation efforts. Then you’ll return to sample an elegant, modern tasting menu that presents the best of the region in innovative style.
Start planning and booking your winter adventure at visitruapehu.com
Find new things to do around New Zealand at newfinder.co.nz