New Zealand, Whakapapa

New Zealand, Whakapapa

Things to do - general

Whakapapa village is located at the base of the access road to Mount Ruapehu, it offers less expensive accommodation including camp sites and is a great base to New Zealands largest ski area. Mt Ruapehu has two ski areas, Whakapapa and Turoa.

Mt Ruapehu is the largest active volcano in New Zealand and one of the world’s most active Volcanoes.

In Winter your main activities are skiing an snowboarding at Whakapapa and Turoa but you can try river rafting, fly fishing, flying fox and even a volcanic adventure.

 

Country New Zealand
Visa requirementsNone on an Australian Passport
Languages spokenEnglish, Maori
Currency usedNew Zealand Dollar (USD)
Ski Area SizeWhakapapa
1359 Acres

Turoa
989 Acres
Highest PointWhakapapa
2300 Metres

Turoa
2322 Metres
Vertical DropWhakapapa
420 Metres

Turoa
722 Metres
Longest RunWhakapapa
2.8 km

Turoa
4km
LiftsWhakapapa
14

Turoa
9
SeasonWhakapapa
June-October

Turoa
June-October
TerrainWhakapapa
25% Beginners
50% Intermediate
25% Advanced

Turoa
25% Beginners
55% Intermediate
20% Advanced
Nearest AirportTaupo, New Zealand
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Nightlife info

There are five restaurants, pubs or cafés at Whakapapa village.

Skotel Alpine Resort
This motel has a Terrace Restaurant & Bar. It also has an indoor restaurant with a roaring fire. It serves daily specials and has an a la carte menu, with entrees such as green Thai chicken curry, soups and salads, and mains such as beer battered fish and chips. It also serves pizza and kids meals.

Ferguson’s Coffee Shop
This quaint little eatery is situated just below the visitor centre on the opposite side of Bruce Road. It serves morning and afternoon teas and a light lunch, but it’s closed at night.

The Tussock
This pub is open 7 days a week from 3pm. It serves typical pub food in a matching environment. Think rugby, pool table, karaoke singing, and music videos projected onto an oversized white screen. Good fun, and solid good food. Great open fire, too.

The Chateau Tongariro & Pihanga Café and T-Bar
This bistro style restaurant is situated in the basement of the Bayview Chateau Tongariro. The food is excellent, imaginative, and served with precision and ease.

Bayview Chateau Tongariro Dining Room
For that special occasion head straight to the Chateau’s ballroom and its silver service fine dining. The Chateau has been serving culinary delights fit for a king since 1929. Renowned for its classical styling and grandeur, it’s a building and experience not to be missed.

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Culture and history info

Ruapehu is largely composed of andesite and began erupting at least 250,000 years ago. In recorded history, major eruptions have been about 50 years apart, in 1895, 1945 and 1995–1996. Minor eruptions are frequent, with at least 60 since 1945. Some of the minor eruptions in the 1970s generated small ash falls and lahars (mudflows) that damaged skifields.

Between major eruptions, a warm acidic crater lake forms, fed by melting snow. Major eruptions may completely expel the lake water. Where a major eruption has deposited a tephra dam across the lake's outlet, the dam may collapse after the lake has refilled and risen above the level of its normal outlet, the outrush of water causing a large lahar. In 2000, the ERLAWS system was installed on the mountain to detect such a collapse and alert the relevant authorities.

Ruapehu has two commercial ski fields, Whakapapa on the northern side and Turoa on the southern slope. They are the two largest ski fields in New Zealand, with Whakapapa the larger.Culture and history image

Ruapehu Mountain Motel and Lodge Whakapapa

4 Foyle Street, Ohakune 4625 NZ
Ruapehu Mountain Motel and Lodge is the perfect motel and lodge accommodation option in Ohakune, the More info
Book now

Activities

Other than snow sports, Whakapapa hosts a range of activities such as Horseriding, Fishing, White Water Rafting and amazing Three Mountain Volcanic Scenic Flights! And if you’re a military buff, at Waiouru, 80 kilometres from Whakapapa village, there’s an award-winning Army Museum. It serves as a memorial to those who have fallen and those who have served, and visitors can take a guided tour to see the lifelike displays.

Unfortunately there are no self-catering offers at this location at the moment.

Unfortunately there are no tour offers at this location at the moment.

Transfers

Naked Bus runs transfers from all major cities
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Location