4 in 4wd to Tukino

Somehow it had happened that even being keen skiers we had never seen Tukino. So one day staying in RMC, when the weather was not particular good for mountain tracks we decided to approach Tukino in summer time, taking a trip from Desert Road in our 4wd Mazda Proceed.

Kites Festival

Each year, on a second day of a new year Kites Festival happens on Chateau Tongariro golf course.

Rugby Cup 2011

Yes, everything in the country turned black in the days of the Rugby Cup.

Strangely not the snow though :-)

Five miles out

Did you ever fly above Ruapehu plains ?

I never did until 8-Sep-2009, when after a great skiing day on Whakapapa, a decent skier and pilot Trevor Barrett took me for an amazing flight around Ruapehu in his cool microlight aircraft ...

Spring in Ohakune

Very nice, really ...

Real winter comes (Big Chills of 2011)

Is it in Canadian Rockies or Ohakune Rocky Mountains?

Two "Big Chills" of August 2011 nicely provided interesting experience of a real winter around Ruapehu plateau.

There was quite a bit of havoc on the roads though.

Mangawhero river walk

The Mangawhero (Red Stream in Maori) river runs from Turoa ski fields along Mountain Rd down to Ohakune. Walking along the stream is pleasant scenery, tempting bathing spots and beautiful mountain flora. Be careful though not to harm fragile alpine vegetation nor yourself (as not everywhere is easy going) on the way.