Ohakune area short walks
Track category
Short walk
Description
Lake Rotokura
Time: 1 hr return
Signposted from State Highway 49, 12 kilometres from Ohakune en route to Waiouru. Drive one kilometre from the turnoff along Karioi Station Road, cross the railway line and continue to Rotokura carpark.
Lakes, ancient beech forest and
plentiful bird life are features of this
short walk in the beautiful Rotokura
Ecological Area
The first lake passed on the track is Dry Lake. A variety of native and exotic waterfowl - dabchicks, mallard ducks, paradise ducks, grey ducks and Australasian coots - can be seen on this manmade lake that is surrounded by rushes, swampland and beech forest. Flat, grassed areas above the lake are perfect for family picnics.
The track continues on past Dry Lake to Lake Rotokura. This lake is surrounded by ancient beech forest and on a clear days Mount Ruapehu is reflected in the lake's calm waters. The beech forest supports plenty of bird life. Native birds such as tui, kaka, bellbird, fantail and North Island robin are commonly seen or heard along the track that circles the lake.
Rotokura is tapu (sacred healing waters) to Ngati Rangi, the local Maori people or tangata whenua. Please respect this by not eating at or near Rotokura. Fishing is also prohibited.
Mangawhero Forest Walk and Rimu Track
Time: 1 hr return
These two tracks begin at the bottom of the Ohakune Mountain Road.
The fifteen minute Rimu track, meandering gently through an understorey of ground ferns and kamahi and crisscrossing a quiet mountain stream, is a separate loop off the main Mangawhero Forest Walk. The high quality surface allows access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The Mangawhero Forest Walk begins by crossing the Mangawhero River from which it gains its name. Running over a bed of red tinged rocks, this river starts high up Mount Ruapehu and descends over two giant waterfalls, carving its way through the debris of previous eruptions. Following a faultline down the mountain the Mangawhero eventually joins the Whangaehu River.
From the river the track leads into a forest of kamahi, broadleaf and five finger, with giant rimu, matai and kahikatea trees reaching thirty metres or more above the forest floor.
Immediately after passing through a large cut fallen log the track crosses a large volcanic crater. The long process of infilling this volcanic vent has reached the stage where water, still lying close to the surface is able to support a swamp-type forest. The buttressed kahikatea, New Zealand's tallest tree, will tolerate continually wet feet, while its close relative, the rimu, prefers drier places at the edge of this crater. A similar vent, a short distance to the west, supports an earlier stage of forest development.
Mangawhero Falls
Time: 5 - 10 min return
The track begins from a carpark on the Ohakune Mountain Road, 13 kilometres up from the rail bridge.
This short walk provides excellent views of a beautiful waterfall close to the road. Here, not far below bushline, the beech forest is stunted because of the rugged climate. Spectacular icicles form around the falls in winter.
Getting there
Located on State Highway 49 in central North Island, Ohakune is the southern gateway for Tongariro National Park.
About the area
Tongariro National Park is a place of remarkable diversity - lush rain forest, desert like terrain, lakes, rivers and streams, active volcanoes, snow and ice.
If you are pressed for time or would like to try some easy walking options to experience what the park has to offer, a number of short walks are available near the Ohakune township and along Ohakune Mountain Road.
Plan and prepare
The weather in Tongariro National Park is very changeable. Make sure your are warmly clothed and have a water and windproof raincoat and enough food and water with you.
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