Ohakune Viaduct : Easter 2009
The old viaduct opened for walkers in February 2009 so we ventured out, a mere 5 minutes from Ohakune to the carpark, and an hours walk to this incredible sight. Walking the old viaduct built in 1908 was incredible, particularly reading various posterboards around the site showing scenes of the construction camp and reading of shocking conditions in which the men worked.

View of the new viaduct, built in 1987.

[right] Old viaduct upper deck has been resurfaced (and was still being worked on as we walked the bridge).
[left] View from the underside showing intricate steel latticework.

TAMA LAKES : Easter (April 10-13) 2009
Easter weather on the mountain was absolutely perfect for us, so trekking the Lower and Upper Tama Lakes was incredibly calm, whereas typically the Upper Tama is a howling gale. (upper left photo is the Upper Tama with Ngaruahoe behind, Lower Tama is the next photo, and a scene of tussock looking toward Ruapehu, with a view from the far side of National Park Village on 'Fischers Track' looking to Ngaruahoe through the toitoi)

National Park Aircon / Heatpump Units Finally Installed.
A week before Easter and they're in and operational, so ready for the winter freeze.The house will be vastly warmer than running a little fan heater in the lounge hoping it will warm the house. A combination of a 5.5kW and 3.5kW units means the house will be evenly heated. The concept is to divide the house in two, so with the doors between each lounge closed then both are heated.