Top Things to do in Ruapehu
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Top 10 Things to do in Ruapehu, North Island
Discover the best top things to do in Ruapehu, New Zealand including Tama Lakes, Mellonsfolly Ranch, Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre (Whakapapa Visitor Centre), Waitonga Falls Track, Silica Rapids Track, Mead's Wall, Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial, Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park, Ridge Track, Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu.
Restaurants in Ruapehu
1. Tama Lakes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By PuntRdTigers
We visited the Whakapapa Visitors Information Centre & got excellent advice from staff member Hari. We were concerned we weren't Alpine Crossing prepared & we were shown some options to do with our teenagers. A pleasant walk to Taranaki Falls starting from the car park near Skotel in the village. Slight rising elevation on firm ground with some loose stones. Lots of photo opportunities. Not very busy. Good signage. We wore lots of layers, even in December as the wind is cold, but the sun harsh-a hat & sunglasses very handy. A short detour down steep steps gets you to Taranaki Falls. Back up the steps & follow the signs on to Tama Lakes. The lower lake is viewed from a windy spot-lots of people sheltering for lunch in the short foliage. We braved the 30min climb to the upper lake for a great view of both lakes as well as Mount Ruapehu & Mount Ngauruhoe. It is steep with loose small stones coming back down-best done with walking poles-but take your time! There are drop toilets just before the lower lake view & near the bridge above Taranaki Falls. Round trip took us 6 hours with plenty of photo stops, lunch & snack breaks. Sunscreen is useful. We saw no flies, no mosquitoes & no snakes!
2. Mellonsfolly Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
At the Old West Town you step back in time and experience the charm of the Old West. We offer a total Western experience from our western activities and lip smackin cowboy cuisine, to our luxurious premium rooms, elegantly furnished in Victorian style or our Plains Indian/Rustic standard rooms. Visiting us is by arrangement only.
Reviewed By IzzyCf
We had such an amazing time! We were very well looked after and the guys working there are lovely! The town itself is beautiful and so authentic, there is also an abundance of wild life in the area, including deer, moreporks, and so much more. The food was wonderful and there were always plenty of snacks. It is such a fantastic place to stay! Thank you to everyone who works there, it was great!
3. Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre (Whakapapa Visitor Centre)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 474 reviews
Located in the heart of the Tongariro National Park, Whakapapa i-SITE (Tongariro Visitor Centre) provide expert local knowledge and free, objective advice on travel throughout the Ruapehu Region and New Zealand. We provide booking services for accommodation, activities, transport and more.
Reviewed By EmGeeNz - Kaiwaka, New Zealand
Great centre. Full of amazing informative displays etc. highly recommend if you wish to learn more about the area
4. Waitonga Falls Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By KC1818118 - New Zealand, null
Breathtaking views. Easy walk. just Bring a little picnic and enjoy beautiful scenery! Highly recommend anyone.
5. Silica Rapids Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By 793gillt - Orewa, New Zealand
Great walk for beginners! Apparently it's been renovated recently and indeed the track was really good. There were quite a few boardwalks and well-maintained steps, and some signs to tell you about the local flora and fauna. I don't like climbing over rocks, or steep up and down hills, so this was the perfect walk for me. I am a nervous walker but didn't slip once. It takes about 75 minutes each way starting just up the road from the visitor's centre. Lots of interesting things to see like the red water in the fast flowing streams, even the rocks are 'painted' red! Then the white of the silica rocks make an interesting contrast. There are many shades of red and green in the plants and trees.
6. Mead's Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By rosst345 - Sandringham, New Zealand
Stunning scenery. A must do if up at the Bruce. So much atmosphere. Spectacular views. Easy to get to and easy decent via ski run outside of season.
7. Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
A touching and very interesting memorial near the state highway, to the horrific train crash that occurred on Christmas Eve 1953 when the Wellington-Auckland night express train came off a damaged railway bridge into the river. This was caused by a huge wall of water (lahar) from the nearby Mt Ruapehu volcano. 151 were killed.
Reviewed By 20carolj - Palmerston North, New Zealand
It is hard to describe how one feels entering this site.To put yourself in that moment on Xmas eve 1953 when a huge wall of water from Mt Ruapehu ferociously washed away train carriages and its unsuspecting passengers. Reading the detailed information boards is sobering . On site there are toilets. RIP
8. Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By coopfamily19
Wonderful spot for kids of all ages. Little ones all the way to older adults are all catered for here. Beautiful stream with the clearest water runs alongside.
9. Ridge Track
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 19 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
10. Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 437 reviews
Whakapapa is NZ’s largest ski area with 550 hectares of lift-accessed & patrolled terrain. Terrain varies from mellow slopes for beginners to epic chutes, drops & bumps for the most experienced. Whakapapa's snow factory sees it through NZ's longest ski season all the all the way from the beginning of June through to the end of October. Home to Happy Valley, a fully self-contained learners’ area boasting its own café, rental complex and ski school meeting area, while also being free of advanced skiers and snowboarders. For non-skiers and the summer season, NZ's largest gondola the NEW Sky Waka, takes you to NZ's highest eateries at the Knoll Ridge Chalet at 2020m. This spectacular ride takes you over striking volcanic terrain with views across the Tongariro National Park.
Reviewed By 246faye22 - Orewa, New Zealand
were down for the shoolchildren rugby festival and the weather was amazing so decided to go to the mountain for the day got one of the last car parks up the mountain and the shuttle bus to the top the driver was great a real friendly maori man who went out of his way to make every one feel special proud to be a newzeander with people like him we got the waka lift to cafe at top so good and perfect weather we had a hot chocolate and took some photos and loved it a little bit of a discount for gold card holders as well loved our day faye and brian
