Bundled up with cheeks aglow, there’s nothing like a winter getaway to Ruapehu for unforgettable family fun. From the mountains to the rivers and the cosy alpine villages in between, it’s time to pack your bags and head to the snow-capped peaks of the Central North Island and immerse yourself in Ruapehu’s great outdoors.
A year-round destination for outdoor family fun, head for the snow to ski, snowboard, sled, or sightsee by gondola on Mt Ruapehu. Take your pick from a diverse range of family-friendly walks to enchanting waterfalls, hidden lagoons, and riverside strolls. Jetboating, horse treks and alpaca encounters also means there are outdoor adventures for everyone in the family to get amongst.
Share your love for Ruapehu, use the hashtag #OurGreaterOutdoors
Home to NZ’s largest privately owned collection of dinosaur memorabilia, the Dinosaur House in Raetihi is a must-do hidden gem that everyone in the family will ooh and ahh about for days. Carry on museum hopping to the Ohakune Railway Museum - a wee treasure trove full of wondrous delights for train enthusiasts or explore the National Army Museum in Waiouru - an impressive facility with tanks, a mess tent, unique collections, and world-class military exhibits. There are also two awesome indoor climbing walls in Ruapehu, one in Ohakune and one in National Park village for some active, rainy day fun.
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The National Army Museum in Waiouru
The Dinosaur House in Raetihi
Indoor rock climbing in National Park
From world-famous chocolate eclairs to super cold-pressed juice made with fresh Ohakune carrots, you can wind your way along the Adventure Highway for a delicious roadie in Ruapehu. Keen to take it to the next level? Travel by the Sky Waka Gondola Ride to Whakapapa and enjoy New Zealand’s highest dining experience at 2,020 metres above sea level at Knoll Ridge Chalet on Mt Ruapehu with spectacular views of the UNESCO Dual World Heritage Site of Tongariro National Park.
Family dining at Kings Ohakune
Enjoying an eclair from Johnny Nations
Ruapehu through your eyes
All tracks in the Tongariro National Park are open except for the Mangatepopo Track.
Access to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing via Mangatepopo Road is open to all vehicles, though booking a shuttle is recommended.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing bookings are now open via the DOC website.
Please hike with care.
