Alternatives to skiing

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 5, 19 August 1988, Page 6

Alternatives to skiing

If you're skiing Whakapapa and bad weather closes the mountain or you've had too much of a good thing and are looking for some off-mountain fun, there's nlentv to do in the immediate area.

Picturesque bush walks At the foot of the mountain the Department of Conservation (DoC) Visitor Information Centre can supply a list of scenic walks in the immediate vicinity and in other parts of the Tongariro National Park. One walk well worth checking out is the Lake Rotoponamu walk off the Pihanga Saddle on the way to Turangi. All up it takes about an hour and it really is a picturesque walk.

Adrenelin pumping rafting If it's action you're after it's hard to beat the white-water excitement offered by rafting. The Tongariro River is the ideal place to learn to raft. It consists of mostly grade 2 and 3 rapids with the occasional grade 4 for thrills and long slow stretches to cairn the heart after those adrenalin pumping moments. Four rafting companies offer trips down the Tongariro: Butter-

cup, Turangi White Water Rafting, River Rats and Plateau Guides. Plateau Guides also offers small boat rafting for the experienced enthusiast on the Whakapapanui. Cavirtg: dirty but exciting Something completely different and certainly an all weather activity is caving. Not for the faint hearted, Plateau Guides offers a real caving experience. You'll get dirty but it's really exciting and all the gear is supplied. Abseiling: from the top Abseiling is another thrill to experience. The small settlement of

Motuoapa on the southeastern shores of Lake Taupo offers what some believe to be the best rocking climbing and abseiling terrain in the North Island. Once again Plateau Guides are the people to introduce you to> both these sports, abseiling is weather dependent, but always check as Turangi has very different weather pattems to the volcanic plateau and it can be fine and sunny on the other side of the Pihanga Range when it's not very pleasant up on the mountain. World famous fishing Turangi's real claim to fame is the superb trout fishing in the Tongariro River and on the southern end o f Lake Taupo. There's plenty of guides in Turangi to show you the spots, the best known being Tony Hayes at Tongariro Lodge and Louis the Fish. Boats are available but why not try nymphing in the mighty Tongariro, it might just be th£ beginning of a life time love affair with fly fishing. While on the subject of trout the Trout Hatchery just south of Turangi is free and well worth a visit, especially the underwater viewing chamber. Quaint Tokaanu Eight kilometres from Turangi is the quaint little settlement of Tokaanu, famous for its hot pools and thermal area. Just along the road from the hot pools you'll find the Tokaanu Gallery which offers some beautiful turned wooden products and knitwear. The T H C Tokaanu is a good stop for lunch especially on a Sunday. Cruising on Taupo New to Lake Taupo this year is the Taupo Cat, a 25-metre luxury catamaran, based in Taupo, that cruises the scenic attractions o f the Western Bays and circumnavigates the whole lake. The Taupo Cat is an excellent alternative for non-skiers in your party, not just for those bad weather days. Check for their 'Sunsetter' Cruises in spring. They're licensed T urn page 7

Off Mt activities ;

From page 6 and the food's great! Still on the Lake but based in Motuoapa and Tokaanu is Spectrum Charters. Spectrum caters for groups up to 50 and offers fishing trips or scenic cruises around the southern shores. Looking down If you'd like an overview of the whole area Turangi Scenic Flights offer sightseeing flights over the Tongariro National park and surrounds. These flights are ideal for photographers especially towards sunset but they obviously rely on good weather. Information All these activities take place in Turangi and surrounds so a visit to the Turangi Information Centre will set you off in the right direction. But Turangi doesn't hold sole rights to the outdoor recreation available around the mountain. Military history Heading south from Turangi, Waiouru Army Museum is an exciting place to spend a few hours viewing our military history. The displays are very well presented and guaranteed to enthral both young and old. Sport & jetboating The Taumarunui Information Centre can introduce you to a whole host of activities. Try squash, indoor cricket or the ultimate game for starters, but the most exciting activity in Taumarunui has got to be the Pioneer Jet Boat Tours. These tours leave from the bridge just north of town and present a variety of combinations. They'll drop you off to explore the bush or return to Taumarunui in a kayak or Canadian canoe. Their mini coach can also take you up to Kakahi to see the glow worms in the evenings. You'll be surprised just what's available in Taumarunui. Whakapapa relaxing If all this sounds a bit energetic there's always the Whakapapa Tavern or for those that don't like to drink the chateau serves a nice Devonshire Tea in the afternoons. Dining out And finally if it's evening entertainment you're after there's numerous restaurants in National Park, Whakapapa Village and Turangi. Have fun, but re-

member tomorrow may be fine, so don't overdo it. Skiing is o n 1 y available for four months so make the most of it - you can always come back in summer to experience the rest! RAFTING Turangi White Water Rafting (0746) 8856 Buttercup (081222) 704 River Rats (0746) 7492 Plateau Guides (081222) 740 CAVING Plateau Guides (081222) 740 ABSEILING Plateau Guides (081222) 740 TROUT FISHING Tony Hayes (0746) 7946 Louis the Fish (0746) 7953 TROUT HATCHERY (0746) 8520 HOT POOLS Tokaanu Hot Pools (0746) 8575 ARTS & CRAFTS Tokaanu Gallery (0746) 8058 LAKE CRUISES Taupo Cat (074) 86-052 Spectrum Charters (0746) 7333 JET BOAT TOURS Pioneer (0812) 8074 CANOEING Pioneer (0812) 8074 SCENIC FLIGHTS Turangi Scenic Flights (0746) 7870 ARMY MUSEUM Waiouru Army Museum (0658) 56-111 HORSE TREKKING Plateau Guides (081222) 740 Hinenemu (0746) 7851 SQUASH Taumarunui Squash Club (0812) 6592 INDOOR CRICKET Taumarunui Indoor Cricket Centre (0812) 6415 THE ULTIMATE GAME Taumarunui Ultimate Game (0812) 7494 TURANGI INFORMATION CENTRE (0746) 8999 TAUMARUNUI INFORMATION CENTRE (0812) 7494 RESTAURANTS Buttercup (081222) 704 Misty's (081222) 705 Ruapehu Room (THC Chateau) (081223) 809 Carvery (THC Chateau) (081223) 809 Skotel (081223) 819

Discovery (081222) 744 E1 Burcio's (0746) 8998 Game Keepers Loft (0746) 8821 Tongariro Lodge (0746) 7946 Slopes (0746) 8988 Kaimanawa Lodge (0746) 7492 Tongariro Accommodation Centre (0746) 7492 Bridge Fishing Lodge (0746) 8804 THC Tokaanu (0746) 8873