2008 - The year I learned to put chains on vehicles for my job as a Guest Service Agent while working for Turoa Ski Field. I never imagined I’d be able to revisit the wonderful wee town on the North Island of New Zealand.
A weekend away in a bach was all I needed for the memories of that winter to come flooding back. We had lived on Arawa Street, a short wee wander to the town central, and if you were to simply pass by this town you may not know the gem that it is.
In the winter folk from all over New Zealand come visit for the annual Mardi Gras celebration and to ski the active volcano. From my experience while living there for a ski season the mountain was closed more than it was open, but that didn’t dampen our time. The people make a place and we had many nights cooking for the ski bums and travellers spending the season with us.
If you get the chance to head to this nugget of a town you must make a stop at the Chocolate Éclair Shoppe, take a wander to the Giant Carrot and make sure to walk to Old Coach Road, a lovely trail that will take you around the outskirts of the town along a river to see the beauty of the area.
Make sure you get a night in watching the rugby at The Powder Keg, and stop in to see the folk at Volcano Coffee Roasters along the railway, they not only have fab coffee but they host many Kiwi made articles that you wont be able to walk away from without at least adding them to a wish list!!
Once you’ve meandered around you must take a trip up the Tongariro National Park to the highest mountain on the North Island of New Zealand, don’t let the encroaching cloud turn you off, the weather can change in an instant and you wont want to miss the views from the top!!
After you have done all the adventuring you can muster make sure to stop in for a mouth watering hamburger at the Blind Finch and let your taste buds discover what a true kiwi taste can do to your hunger cravings. You also won’t want to miss buying a pie at the local dairy.
Ohakune isn’t just for winter lovers; you can for sure visit this adventure destination in summer. There are heaps of walks, hikes and mountain biking trails to catch your adventure seeking cravings.
Ohakune may seem like a small stop on the NZ map, but it sure holds a big place in my heart and I love that I got to re-visit it this year and reminisce over the wonderful winter season I had with some friends I still love to this day!
