Mum, Vaughan and I enjoyed a lovely 2km walk along a stream right in town-it ran the length of the village and was very pretty!
There are numerous tracks and trails and, of course, a spot of geocaching was on the cards.
We found the most gorgeous 'gnome home' geocache-too cute!!
We stayed mid-April before all the snow and enjoyed a fabulous three days exploring the area.
Jeff, Caitlin, Olivia and I ventured up the mountain road where we found a lovely one hour walk to a waterfall. The track was easy walking and was well worth the gorgeous view at the end! I just love waterfalls!
The Gash family spent a lovely afternoon at the Waiouru museum about 30 mins south of Ohakune. This museum is an absolutely in-depth collection of memorabilia relating to all the wars NZ has (unfortunately) had to participate in. It is quite moving and emotional wandering around the displays and you get a very real sense of conditions and atmosphere at times. :(
On our way back to Ohakune we stopped off at Tangiwai. This is the site of a terrible train disaster; in fact, the biggest in NZ history. On Christmas Eve 1953, a lahar came down Mt Ruapehu damaging a bridge structure in its path. Unfortunately, not long after, a train travelling from Wellington to Auckland came over that bridge. Due to the damage, the bridge collapsed plunging the train into the river. 151 died and many were injured on a bleak Christmas Eve :(
The memorial is a very sobering site!
Another wonderful Easter weekend exploring an area we have never visited before. I really enjoy discovering towns in NZ that we haven't stayed in before. Easter is a highlight of my year. Oh yeah...the chocolate is pretty good too :)
