The Ohakune Old Coach Road links a number of fascinating pieces of New Zealand's rail heritage in a journey through a spectacular part of Tongariro National Park.
In July 2010 it was officially opened by the Prime Minister the Honourable John Key as a fantastic new walkway and cycleway. This was the culmination of years of work by the Department of Conservation in partnership with Ohakune 2000 and the Tongariro Natural History Society.
The road formed an integral link between the two rail heads between 1906 and 1908, allowing through journeys by horse and coach before the rail was completed. The Hapuawhenua Viaduct was one of the final components in completing the North Island main trunk rail, and is now linked into this walk through a new section of track.
Heritage features on the trail include a unique cobbled road, massive steel viaducts, a curved tunnel, railway bridge remains, and old campsites. The journey also takes visitors through some beautiful stands of forest with sweeping views across the district.
Location
Access to the Old Coach Road is from either Ohakune or Horopito. Visitors in Ohakune can either start their journey at the historic Ohakune railway station, or the Marshalls Road car park about a five minute drive from Ohakune Junction. From Horopito you can access the track from Matapuna road.