Major city · New Zealand
Ohakune
Stay 1 night in winter if you ski Tūroa, 1–2 nights in summer for Tongariro walks; skip it if you only want the Alpine Crossing — base at National Park Village.
Ohakune is a small Ruapehu-district town at the foot of Mount Ruapehu and the North Island's ski base, 20 minutes from the Tūroa ski field. Winter is the busy season; summer is quieter and better for hiking, mountain biking and the Ohakune Mountain Road. The town splits into the upper Junction by the railway station and the larger lower town with shops and the i-SITE.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NZD
- Best months
- Jul–Sep for skiing; Dec–Mar for hiking and biking
- avoid Apr–Jun and Oct–Nov (between seasons, some businesses closed)
- Airports
- AKL · WLG
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ohakune111 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ohakune, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$).New Zealand-wide
- SIM or eSIMOne NZ, Spark and 2degrees sell tourist SIMs at Auckland and Christchurch arrivals and in supermarkets; passport not required.New Zealand-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe almost everywhere; follow boil-water notices in small rural schemes.New Zealand-wide
- TippingCafé or restaurant: Nothing expected; 10% for very good service at dinner is a bonus.New Zealand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.New Zealand-wide
- SafetyOhakune is a small, safe town; the real risks are alpine weather, winter driving on the mountain road and unprepared hiking on Tongariro.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in every town and at most lookouts; DOC long-drops on tracks.New Zealand-wide
- Emergency numbers111 police, fire, ambulance · 105 Non-urgent police · *555 Traffic (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 17:00 and on Sunday afternoons…Shops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 5:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons…New Zealand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAKL Auckland Airport (About 4.5 h drive south via SH1 and SH49; no direct rail link to Ohakune.).
- Getting aroundThe two halves of town are about a 45-minute walk apart, or shorter via the riverside walkway and its swing bridge.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeNZ$5–7 (≈ US$3–5)
- Museum or sight ticketNational Army Museum entry, WaiouruNZ$15 (≈ US$9)
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personNZ$30 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomNZ$180 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomNZ$320 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NZ$90 (≈ US$55) · Mid NZ$160 (≈ US$95) · High NZ$280 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AKL Auckland Airport (About 4.5 h drive south via SH1 and SH49; no direct rail link to Ohakune.) · WLG Wellington Airport (About 3.5 h drive north via SH1 and SH49.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Jul
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Aug
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Sep
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Oct
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Jul–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jul (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ohakune: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Jun
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Jul
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 rd
Aug
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Sep
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The two halves of town are about a 45-minute walk apart, or shorter via the riverside walkway and its swing bridge. In winter a shuttle bus runs roughly every half hour until the bars close, plus taxis and car services — ask at your lodge. A car makes Tūroa, Whakapapa and the national park far easier.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tūroa ski field
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Self-drive up Ohakune Mountain Road, or winter shuttle from town
Chains may be required; check snow and road status first.
Whakapapa ski field
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive via SH48, or winter shuttle
Longer drive than Tūroa; go early on powder days.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
cautionDoor to door: 1–1.5 h to trailhead
Shuttle from Ohakune (Dempsey Buses in the off season) or from National Park Village
A full day; book the shuttle and check the weather forecast.
National Park Village
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive via SH49 and SH47, or train
More shuttle operators for the Crossing and Whakapapa.
Raetihi
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive via SH49
Small historic town; combine with a drive to Whanganui.
Turangi
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive via SH47 and SH1
Better as a stop on the way to Taupō than a return day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Junction (upper town)
Around the railway station on Thames St; lodges, cafés and the closest point to Tongariro National Park. Best for train arrivals and skiers.
Lower town (Clyde St and Goldfinch St)
Shops, restaurants, the i-SITE and the riverside park; about a 45-minute walk from the Junction.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NZ$80–130 (≈ US$50–80) excl. bed
- Mid
- NZ$130–220 (≈ US$80–130) excl. bed
- High
- NZ$220 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or lodge double room1 × 2 nights × NZ$180 | NZ$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × NZ$160 | NZ$640 |
| Tūroa day pass2 × NZ$150 · check | NZ$300 |
| Tongariro Crossing shuttle, return2 × NZ$70 | NZ$140 |
| Mountain bike rental, one day2 × NZ$50 | NZ$100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NZ$154 |
| Trip total≈ NZ$424 per person per day, bed included | NZ$1,694≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in NZ dollars; transport to Ohakune excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | NZ$5–7 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Pub main | NZ$25–38 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Chocolate eclair | NZ$4 (≈ US$3) |
| Supermarket groceries, one person for a day | NZ$20–35 (≈ US$12–25) |
| National Army Museum entry, Waiouru | NZ$15 (≈ US$9) |
| Petrol, per litrecheck | NZ$2.50–3.00 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter roads to Tūroa and Whakapapa can need chains; check conditions before driving up.
- The supermarket is the only one in town and runs low in peak season.
- One-lane bridges and twisty SH4 from Whanganui; keep left.
- Some cafés and lodges close between ski and summer seasons.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 111
- Non-urgent police
- 105
- Traffic
- *555
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
OhakuneOhakune
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance111
- Non-urgent police105
- Traffic*555
Embassy
No embassies in Ohakune; nearest consulates and embassies are in Wellington or Auckland.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tongariro Crossing shuttle, return: about NZ$70 (≈ US$45) per person
- Mountain bike rental, one day: NZ$50–60 (≈ US$30–40)
- Northern Explorer, Auckland or Wellington to Ohakune: three trains a week; book ahead (check)
Say or show
- Kia ora — Kia ora (kee-oh-rah)
- Thank you — Thank you (—)
- Where is the i-SITE? — Where is the i-SITE? (—)
Carry chains in winter and check the mountain road status before driving up.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ohakune. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jul–Sep for skiing; Dec–Mar for hiking and biking · avoid Apr–Jun and Oct–Nov (between seasons, some businesses closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialVisit Ohakune
- officialGreat Journeys of NZ — Northern Explorer
- officialInterCity
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ohakune, revision 5259451 (CC BY-SA 4.0)