There are three primary reasons: Some guests are adventurers, and they want an early start. Some guests just want to kick back, relax and enjoy a lazy breakfast on the deck. We believe that offering breakfast in the room gives you complete flexibility. A large part of what Two Rivers is about is privacy. Some people do not like entering the owner's space, we get that, so we provide a private breakfast option. Two Rivers is really important to us. One day we hope to devote all our professional time to it, but for now we have to work full time. So currently we neither have the capacity or a shared/communal space to offer a restaurant style breakfast service.

Two Rivers is a place to find rest and tranquillity. You may be looking for a place to recharge after an intensive period of work, or somewhere to rest after a day's adventuring in the mountains or park. We believe we have what you need. Comfortable beds, warm rooms, an even warmer welcome and the soothing sounds of the two rivers (just outside your bedroom door). We only have three rooms, so it's never going to be busy. Our guests are respectful and looking for the same experience that you are. Our guests are also international, especially in summer and often our guests are happy to chat to one another and share about their adventures. There are no expectations, Two Rivers is a place where you can just 'do you' and relax. Our aim is that you leave us refreshed/rested and wishing you stayed longer. That's the air that we're trying to create. From the photos on the website, you will see that all three rooms are away from the owner's house. We're here/available if you need us, but our aim is to be discrete and give you space to recharge. If you're staying in Rua Awa then you will have a truly private experience, no one shares your parking, entrance, deck or spa. We are looking to provide some screening around the deck and make it even more private. The Mangawhero and Mangateitei rooms share an entrance door, and a spa pool. That means that guests in Mangawhero will walk past the window of Mangateitei to get to their room, and guests in Mangateitei will walk past the window of Mangawhero to get to the spa. Very few guests have a problem with this, and sometimes only one of the two rooms will be in use anyway. The arrangement actually works really well if you're travelling as two couple together. Have a look at the plan of our rooms here: We know that a lot of people are unsure about the idea of a B&B, so we sometimes talk of ourselves as a micro-hotel. Even staying in the nicest 4 or 5-star (mainstream) hotels means there will be shared spaces, and shared facilities, and it's only two rooms. In saying all of this we're currently working with our local authorities to try and create a third, private entrance to the Mangawhero room, so that each room will be more private and discrete. Watch this space... If you have specific questions about 2RO (as we call it) then just reach out by email and we'll response as quickly as we can: info@tworiversohakune.com

We purchased Two Rivers in July 24, at that start of the ski-season. Snow sport lovers never once complained about the size of the room and thoroughly enjoyed the luxury and warmth of our rooms. When the international tourists started arriving in November 24, we quickly learnt that big suitcases didn't fit well, and we responded rapidly. We started looking for a bed frame manufacturer that could design and build beds that had more space underneath. Clearly there was a lead time, and we're thrilled to say that the frames arrived in late February 25. They have been installed, and we're thrilled that guests see the value in this, often using the concept as a set of drawers and sliding their cases in and out as necessary. We didn't stop there though; we purchased new mattresses that are often found in 4plus or 5 star hotels in New Zealand - giving a real sense of luxury. And as a final step we purchased matching bedside cabinets that have a smaller footprint and further increase the space available for kicking back and relaxing. We've spared no expense in optimising our rooms and the overall guest experience. We're sure that you'll find the rooms to be to the highest of standards and to be practical, functional as well as tasteful.

A bed and breakfast, quite simply, is an accommodation service with breakfast supplied. Generally, the owners live on site and provide a personal welcome as you arrive. In many B&B's the accommodation is within the owners' dwelling, and they will serve breakfast in a communal space. Some people love this, but for many the idea is unthinkable. At Two Rivers Ohakune, you do not enter the owner's space in any way. At Two Rivers we do things a little differently. We want to provide that welcome but then give you privacy. The rooms are away from the house, you can come and go as you want. We will give you a wave and ask how you are, but there's no entering someone else's private space. Breakfast is supplied in your room for you to enjoy in privacy at a time that suits you. The Rua Awa room is away from the house and other rooms. We are gradually adding privacy screening to improve the privacy experience. The Mangateitei and Mangawhero rooms share a common entrance door, deck and spa pool. For now, very few guests have expressed concern about the experience, after all in a larger establishment you may have an outdoor pool or spa that is shared, and it may be very close to decks, balconies or windows. Having said that, we are looking at ways of improving privacy for these two rooms as well.

We want you to have an amazing experience, and if you need more fruit, bread, milk, tea or jam then please just ask. We believe that we've found the right balance on not oversupplying breakfast items, and our approach has helped us to reduce wastage, allowing us to meet the principles of the Tiaki promise. That said, if you need more then we're happy to provide where we can, within our standard offering. Some guests have asked about meat or cheese. We do not typically provide this, although we are considering and enhanced breakfast option (at additional cost). There is a supermarket in town where it is possible to purchase additional items if you require them.

We offer a standard breakfast which includes the following items (per night): 4 Slices of brown bread 2 Yoghurts 2 Hard-boiled eggs 2 Apples 2 Mandarins Butter A selection of jams/marmalade 500ml Full Milk per night Premium orange juice A bottle of chilled water We offer a standard offering to reduce wastage. We operate according to the Tiaki Promise as a part of our Qualmark journey. We want to be sustainable and reduce wastage. By offering a standard breakfast we have substantially reduced the amount of food waste that was previously generated. Very often breakfast items are returned to us unused. We feel we've got the balance about right, but if you want more of anything then please just ask. We usually have extra supplies and we'd rather that you start your day full rather than upset that there weren't sufficient supplies. If you have food allergies, then please let us know. We can provide gluten free bread, and we have options of oat or almond milk available. These are provided upon request. As a part of our Tiaki promise we will only provide one type of bread/milk for a one-night stay. If you are staying more than one night, then we can try to support multiple options if needed.

Yes. We completely understand this and will seek to support you. We can supply gluten-free bread. This can be in short supply in town and sometimes we have to use frozen rather than fresh. All bread is provided is provided in sealed sandwich bags. If you are staying more than one night and request brown for one guest and GF for another than the breads will be packaged separately but presented in the same hamper. Preparation is undertaken in a workspace where both breads are present and cross-contamination is possible, but we do everything we can to minimise this. Whilst we do not provide evening meals, many of our celiac guests have thoroughly enjoyed the Thai food at Rice. Other restaurants in town will offer GF options, but they advise that their kitchen spaces are small and cross-contamination can occur. As alternatives to whole milk, we can provide Oat or Almond options. We do not have an alternative to butter and so recommend just usage of the various jams. Sealed Yoghurt pots are provided as we know some guests will still enjoy this depending upon severity of symptoms. Some guests have advised they have issues with fruits. Please let us know and we will try to support you, noting that all fruits are seasonal, and we have to work with the supplies of our local (small) supermarket.

We're passionate about Ohakune. It's a great place for us to live and work, and our guests leave having experienced first-class hospitality at Two Rivers, at the local shops and in our local eateries. We want to create a personal reflection on Ohakune in this space, but for now, how about jumping over to the Visit Ruapehu website for some more impartial information.

The Department of Conservation list the many walks that are available in the Tongariro National Park. They maintain the paths as well, so their website is possibly the best resource for knowing if there are any issues/closures on the various paths. Check it out here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tongariro-national-park/ Naturally we have our favourites and often recommend these: Short walks close to Ohakune: Mangawhero Falls Walk - An experience in itself due to the drive up the amazing Ohakune Mountain Road. Very short, but amazing experience. Mangawhero Forest Walk - On the edge of the Ohakune township, literally at the start of the Ohakune Mountain Road. A beautiful forest walk, in any weather. Medium length walks close to Ohakune: Waitonga Falls Track - A standout walk, starting higher up in the bush where it is less dense. You cross rivers on bridges, walk through bush, cross a boardwalk (which in good weather has amazing views of Mt Ruapehu), and back into the bush before dropping down to the river with amazing views up to the Waitonga falls. Then return by retracing your steps. You will not be disappointed. Of special significance to Two Rivers, you start by crossing the Mangawhero river which runs past our gardens, and the Waitonga Falls are a tributary to the Mangateitei Stream that meets the Mangawhero in our gardens. Te Ara Mangawhero - A new track in 2024, which is actually part of the Mountains to Sea cycle track but can be walked as well. Currently we have the first phase of this open, but there is active work to connect with points much higher up the mountain. We're excited to see the completion of this and grateful for the hard work put in by so many local parties. Longer walks close to Ohakune: The Old Coach Road - An amazing walk through bush and dense forest, with spectacular access to historical viaducts. This path can be cycled or walked. Shuttles take cyclists to the Horopito for them to 'largely' descend back to Ohakune. Walkers can access from either end, often Ohakune, and go so far in and return. Short/Medium walks within the Tongariro National Park (close to Whakapapa Village). Sometimes if the weather is not good in Ohakune, you may be in luck on this side of the mountain: Silica Rapids Walk - Experience "Geography in Action", where forest, lava flows and streams flow across amazing landscapes. Tawhai Falls Track - If you love waterfalls, you will love this. If you like the Lord of the Rings, then you'll love it even more - "Tawhai Falls is also the filming location of Gollum’s pool where Faramir and his archers are watching Gollum fish. If you use your imagination, you can just about hear Gollum singing his song as he fishes in the pool at the bottom of the falls!" - (source) Taranaki Falls - A gentle meander through exposed ground at one end and beautiful bush at the other - with amazing waterfalls cascading over 15,000 year old lava flows.... What's not to like. Not that this is just off the Tama Lakes walks described below: An alternative to the Tongariro Crossing: Tama Lakes Track - Some say that the Tama Lakes Track is like the Tongariro Crossing without the people. Certainly, when the Tongariro Crossing is closed, then it's an option that you could consider. But, please, consider the warnings of the area as described by DoC. Like the Tongariro Crossing you can be exposed to alpine winds and in winter there is a very real possibility of Avalanche.

Disclaimer: We are not a booking agent for the companies that will shuttle and/or guide you on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Instead, we prefer to point you to publicly accessible and authoritative web sources below that will help you have the best experience possible. We encourage you to purchase your tickets directly with your choice of vendor. We will provide information/experience where we can on a friendly basis, but if you choose to attempt the TAC then we do not accept responsibility for that. Before getting into the specifics of shuttle options etc, we encourage you to read some general information relating to the Tongariro Crossing: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north- island/places/tongariro-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/tongariro-alpine-crossing/ Before you arrange any shuttles or guides, you must register with the Department of Conservation (DoC) first: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tongariro-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/tongariro-alpine-crossing/booking/tongariro-alpine-crossing-booking-system/booking-form/ The Tongariro crossing is best accessed using Shuttle Buses. There is limited parking at each end, and parking has a maximum of 4 hours for the DoC parking. It is not possible to complete the walk and get back to your vehicle within those times. At the Southern End there is a private car park, Ketetahi. You can leave your car there and then catch a bus to the start of the trail. This is a really flexible way of approaching the track, as you don't have to wait for a bus when you finish. Information here: https://tongarirocrossing.com/ketetahi-car-park/ While this car park is the furthest from Ohakune, and may need an early start, it is a very popular option. At the end of the trail, you will enter the DoC Car Park. You will need to continue following the gravel road, which will take you back to your vehicle. We love Ohakune and want to promote Ohakune businesses first and foremost. So, it is possible to arrange a bus from Ohakune. There is a stop at the LKNZ lodge near the end of Burns Street. However, if you ask and they can schedule it then they will pick you up from the entrance of Two Rivers! They will transport you to the start of the crossing, and they will pick you up at the end of the track and bring you back to Ohakune. Please refer to: https://www.dempseybuses.co.nz/Services/Tongariro+Crossing.html Another option is to drive your vehicle to National Park, approximately 40 minutes' drive from Two Rivers, where there is a large 'Park and Ride' Car park. From this car park there are multiple operators and timetables, giving flexibility. For transport please see: https://www.nationalpark.co.nz/listings?location=&category=transport The crossing is amazing! However, this trail is dynamic in terms of weather and it's not unheard of to have snow flurries in the middle of summer, or for unexpected clouds, rain or wind, to come in. Rule number 1 is to be prepared for anything. Rule number 2 is simply not to trust the weather forecast. We would encourage you to have a read of the following article which gives some guidance on what to expect and what equipment you will need (note that some equipment can be rented locally): https://www.newzealand.com/nz/feature/tongariro-alpine-crossing/

We strongly encourage you to adopt the principles of the Tiaki Promise. What does this mean? We live, work and play in Ohakune, Ruapehu and New Zealand. In 2011, we chose to make it our home. We care about the people and the place, we want to tread lightly and make sure that what we have now is available for future generations, or for them to have an even better Aotearoa New Zealand. We will stand as guardians for our land and people. We are improving our direct environment, and we will expand our efforts to help support our region when we have achieved our immediate aims. While you stay with us, and while you are in Aotearoa New Zealand we ask that you to, tread lightly. Please care for our people and our environment. When you adventure in our back yard we ask that you: "Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time."