Ohakune: North Island playground

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 418, 24 December 1991, Page 13

Ohakune: North Island playground

By

Damon

Aitken

Nestled amongst the foothills of Mt Ruapehu is a small town of only 1,500 permanent residents. Every year though, thousands of people flock to the town seeking fun and excitement and a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, it's not just the great skiing and other action sports that attract people to the small rural community. Many come to enjoy the fun of a full-on adventure holiday but with all the comforts of a small town atmosphere. Like most rural towns in New Zealand, Ohakune grew from very humble beginnings. Early European movement into the Ohakune area really only began with travcllers brave enough to venture into the treacherous King Country which had long been the domain of the Maori and was only pcnetrated by Europeans at their own risk. Boost One of the main contributing factors to the town's growth was the Main Trunk Rail line which reached Ohakune in 1908 boosting the population to 600 from only 87 in 1906. Before skiing was even thought of in the area, the backbone of the community was being pionecrcd - market gardening. Today market gardening plays a very important role in the community. It was the small Chinese community who saw market gardening as a commercial proposition in the area. By the Second World War, Ohakune had such a rcputation for its market gardening, that the Agriculture Department commissioncd Ohakune farmers to supply vegetables to the Pacific forces. Tongariro National Park is the oldest na-

tional park in New Zealand. Ever since the park was gifted to the Crown by the Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe over 100 years ago, thousands of people have experienced the mountains, picturesque bush walks, and excellent skiing. The Mountain Road was officially opened in 1963 after years of hard work by a very dedicated group of workers who had to raise £12,000 by any possible means they could. At the top of the Mountain Road is one of New Zealand's foremost ski resorts. Turoa has runs ranging from those for beginners right up to advanced runs, with excellent off-piste skiing. For the more adventurous the walk to the Crater Lake from the Turoa side will give them a panoramic view of the countryside for miles around and a fantastic ski. The Mountain Road gives access to the snow and ski slopes but also provides a beautiful scenic drive through native bush and tussock covered flats. The mountain also offers bush tracks for people in wheelchairs, short and easy tracks to waterfall and magnificent views or long distance walks with huts for hikes up and around the mountain. Summertime Throughout the summer holidays a nature programme is available which includes guided , walks from the Ohakune Ranger station, and half and full day hikes to major spectacular fcatures such as the Manguchuehu Glacier, the Cratcr Lake and other brcathtaking areas. As well as the skiing and bush walks available on the mountain, Ohakune has a huge varicty of other activities for the adventure enthusiast. Ohakune has been proud to admit that

thousands of people have jumped off one of the town's railway bridges and survived, thanks to the genius of A J Hackett and his crew of professional bungy jump operators. A J Hackett Bungy has been operatirig in Ohakune for about three years and has attracted more that 11,000 people from all over the world to jump off the Hapuawhenua Viaduct in the Tongariro National Park. Another company contributing to Ohakune's growing reputation as an adven-

ture playground is the Ohakune Action Park. The park's main emphasis is on excitement and fun, and it backs this up with such activities as the high wire flyer, in which you ride down a 250 metre long, 20mm thick steel cable on a mountain bike, and other outdoor pursuits such as grass skiing down a 150 metre slope with bumps and jumps galore. The park also has The Ultimate Game, in which opposing teams try and capture each other's flag and then return it to their

'base' without being shot with a small gelatine marker-pellet. Ohakune also caters for the tourists who come to Ohakune to relax and get away from it all, with numerous bush walks, mountain bike hire, horse treks, golf, 4WD safaris and guided tours to photograph wild horses. But as well as the huge selection of day entertainment and recreat.ional activities, Ohakune has a surprisingly vast variety of bars, restaurants, cafes and even a nightclub. Turn page 19

Ohakune playground

From page 13 Visitors to the town have a selection of restaurants and bars to satisfy their palate. Unfortunately not everyone sees Ohakune as the idyllic little town that it once was. Ron Walkey has lived in Ohakune since 1953 and runs a machinery supply shop in the middle of town. He feels that the "skiers have wrecked the place" by pushing up the price of land. "There has been an increase in vandalism and it is no longer the cosy little town it once was." Ron also sees the town attracting too many people who just look to make a quick buck out of the skiers without trying to put anything back into the community.

Many locals believe though, that the ski season with all of its hype and excitement, adds character to the town. With a permanent population of approximately 1,500 people, and with so much to offer to both tourists and locals, Ohakune seems set to get bigger and better as time goes on. Ohakune is not only a winter haven from the hustle and bustle of city life, but is also an option for those looking to get away from it all during summer. In a few years' time Ohakune will also have a lake to add to its already long list of recreational hot spots. Wendy Hubbard has lived in Ohakune since 1978 and works at the town's Pub-

lic Library. She believes that the lake is a great idea and will mean that the town's excellent summer activities should now be recognised. As well as encouraging more people to come to the town during the summer the lake will also be a great attraction to wildlife. For many people, Ohakune isn't just a place, it is a unique way of life. As for the future of the town one can only guess, but if it carries on as it is, New Zealanders and tourists alike can look forward to having a winter and summer playground for the adventure and fun seekers, as well as, for those looking for somewhere to get away from the pressures of the urban jungle.