Round Ruapehu drive a swag of sights

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 5 (Supplement)

Round Ruapehu drive a swag of sights

Just taking a drive around Tongariro' s mountains can lead to all kinds of adventures, or can be enjoyed just as a leisurely scenic drive. Starting from Ohakune, the shortest route is about 160km which can be extended with side trips. Heading towards Waiouru, the first settlement is sleepy Rangataua, once a thriving milling town of around 2000 people. Further on is the Karioi Pulp Mill and Karioi Forest, an economic mainstay of the towns of Ohakune and Raetihi as wellas Taihape. On the Whangaeuhu River is the Tangiwai Disaster Memorial, which marks the site of the 1963 raildisasterwhere 151 people died. Volcanic ash, ice and water escaped from Ruapehu's Crater Lake swept down the river and

took out the bridge and the Christmas Eve night express plunged into the swollen river. Waiouru is next, at the intersection of State Highways 49 and One. Here can be found the Army Museum with magnificent displays of New Zealand's military past. The town's main focus

is the Army TrainingGroup, with 3000 soldiers and their families based there. Various military activity can be viewed north of the town, in the army's training area. Turning left, you travel up the Pesert Road to its summit at 1074 metres above sea level. Look to the left across the alpine cold

desert to magnificent views of Mts Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. T o the right of the road is the Kaimanawa Range. Sometimes seen these days from the road are the Kaimanawa Wild Horses, presently at the centre of a conservation controversv. There are Turn to page 7