Adventure tourism is an integral part of the New Zealand way of life, and the district around Omaka Lodge offers ample opportunities for adventure. The central mountains of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe are within easy reach and have plenty of adventure experiences on offer.

There are plenty of other tramps and bush and river walks in the Ruapehu District suitable for varying levels of fitness. Cyclists are catered for too, with several cycle trails in the district. For those who enjoy water-based adventure, the Whanganui River, New Zealand’s third-longest, affords an excellent assortment of adventure tourism experiences – from the gentility of fishing to peacefully meandering in canoes or kayaks, to the fun and excitement of jetboating.

All these adventure experiences and more are within easy reach of Omaka Lodge – to find out more, please keep reading. And at the end of the day, whatever adventure you’ve experienced, you can return to the relaxing sanctuary of Omaka Lodge, a tranquil oasis amidst New Zealand’s Forgotten World.

Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’s oldest national park, the sixth oldest in the world, and has dual UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The park was gifted to Aotearoa-New Zealand in 1887 by Te Heuheu Tukino IV, paramount chief of Māori tribe Ngati Tuwharetoa.

There are many activities to choose from in the Tongariro National Park, including skiing and snowboarding, tramping and walking, sightseeing and scenic flights. The most famous residents of the park are the three maunga (mountains), Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe (which served as Mordor in Sir Peter Jackson’s Lord Of The Rings movies). Mount Ruapehu is also home to the Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields and New Zealand’s highest-altitude cafes.

One of the Tongariro National Park’s most popular activities is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the most popular day hikes in New Zealand. Crossing the slopes of the three maunga, it offers spectacular other-worldly scenery, steaming craters, old lava flows, thermal lakes and more. Scott & Chris traversed the Crossing in 2015 and thoroughly recommend it to fit and experienced hikers.

Established in 1986, the Whanganui National Park was created to protect the land beside the upper reaches of the Whanganui River – which, at 290km long, is New Zealand’s third-longest river and the longest navigable waterway. The Whanganui National Park features in both Maori and Pakeha history, having once been a main transport route for both Maori and early European settlers. The area’s landscape is both distinctive and beautiful, with deep valleys, steep slopes, and vivid ridges etched onto the topography. Kiwi and other native and introduced birds fill the extensive areas of native bush.

 

The journey down the Whanganui River is a rugged yet picturesque wonder. Much of the river has very steep sides, with bush reaching for the skies. If canoeing isn’t possible for you, there are jet boat tours available too, from either Taumarunui or Pipiriki. And for those who want the best of both worlds, Taumarunui Canoe Hire have a tour which combine both canoeing and jetboating, and Forgotten World Adventures have tours combining Rail Carts and jet boating.

There are numerous cycle trails in the Ruapehu Region, within easy reach of of Omaka Lodge. Some of these are part of the New Zealand Cycle Trails but there are many other tracks and trails available:

• The Timber Trail Cycleway – 85km from Pureora through the Pureora Forest to Ongarue, following the original Ongarue logging tramway, which ceased useage in 1958. 1- and 2-days options are available and very popular with Omaka Lodge guests!
• Ohakune Old Coach Road Cycle Trail – 15km from Ohakune to Horopito, following the route originally used in the 1900s by horse-drawn coach as a connecting route between the two rail heads of the then-unfinished North Island trunk line.
• Other trails include the 42 Traverse, the Waione Tram Mountain Bike Trail, the Whangamomona Cycle Trail, and the Mountains to Sea.

If you enjoy walking, hiking or tramping, there are plenty of opportunities located near Omaka Lodge in the Ruapehu District. Some are short countryside strolls; others may be more demanding. Some of the options are listed below, and for the most up-to-date information, check out the Visit Ruapehu website.

• Omaka Lodge– Wander around the beautiful grounds and garden where you are staying at Omaka Lodge set in an elevated rural faming environment.
• Cherry Grove– the meeting of the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers.
• River Bank Walk– along the banks of the Whanganui River from Cherry Grove to the Taumarunui Camping Ground.
• Te Peka Lookout– a 15 minute climb through bush on a good track to the lookout (or for an easier experience you can drive to it!).
• Sunshine Scenic Reserve-a 40 minute uphill walk offering a panoramic view of Taumarunui.
• Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve– a highly enjoyable walk along tracks and a boardwalk across a lagoon.
• Kakahi Glow Worms – wander down a pathway with glow worms all around.
• Taranaki Falls– a 2-hour loop near the Chateau Tongariro and one of our favourites!
• Silica Rapids– a 7km loop.