Whakapapa is a skifield in winter, but is worth visiting in summer for its convenient road access up the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. You can visit the Department of Conservation visitor center there and enjoy some short walks, from 30 minutes up. If you’re not doing the Tongariro Crossing but would still like to do […]
Climb up this 33.5m high tower for the best view over Wanganui. Located on Blyth St, on the east side of the river. Also accessible via the underground Durie Hill Elevator for a few dollars. […]
Take a walk down Wanganui’s historic flower-lined main street. […]
A 2-hour walk through farmland and native bushland, offering great views over the Whanganui River. Starts from the roadside 42km south of Pipiriki. […]
November to late February is the best season for gannets. From Scotmans Point at Clifton allow at least five hours for a comfortable return walk along the beach. This can only be done at low tide; the best times of departure being no sooner than 3 hours after high tide and departing the Cape no […]
Located about half way along the drive up Ruapehu from Ohakune (on the road leading to Turoa ski field), is the hike to the 39m Waitonga Falls – the highest in Tongariro National Park. Hike is 4km return, taking around 90 minutes. […]
The Tongariro Crossing is perhaps New Zealand’s most renowned day hike, leading 19.4km on a one-way journey from Ketitahi Carpark to Mangatepopo. Highly recommended if you’re up for a day’s hiking. Local shuttle services are available to bring you to/from your vehicle, which you park at either end of the trail (most people shuttle first, […]
As with Napier, Hastings was also destroyed in the 1931 earthquake, and similarly offers good examples of Art Deco architecture. Hastings is also perfectly placed amidst Hawke’s Bay wine country. […]
Travel 30km (1 hour) upstream into the middle reaches of the Whanganui River. Pristine native bush cloaks the banks and you will see deep gorges covered with ferns, caves, rapids and other unique and amazing scenery. See the world famous Drop Scene, the Dress Circle and the ancient pegs used by the river boat crew […]
Explore Whakapapa, NZ’s largest ski area, home to terrain for all snow lovers including the nation’s premier beginner playground Happy Valley or Tūroa, fun in its purest form on the majestic southwestern slopes of Mt Ruapehu all with one lift pass. […]