Lodge Accommodation Near Tongariro National Park
A peaceful lodge-style retreat for exploring Mt Ruapehu, Ohakune, and the Central Plateau.
A Different Kind of Lodge Stay
Many visitors searching for lodge accommodation near Tongariro National Park are looking for more than simply a place to stay. They're looking for somewhere peaceful to relax after a day in the mountains - somewhere surrounded by nature and somewhere that feels genuinely connected to the region.
That's exactly what inspired us to purchase Two Rivers and create the kind of retreat we had once searched for ourselves.
Two Rivers offers private, eco-luxury accommodation in one of New Zealand's most spectacular outdoor destinations. The property nestles between two rivers, among growing native gardens, on the edge of Ohakune.
Whether you're visiting for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, skiing or exploring Mt Ruapehu, cycling local trails, or simply escaping the pace of everyday life, we hope you'll find the same sense of relaxation and connection that first drew us here.
Rua Awa's private hot tub overlooks native gardens, flowing rivers and Mt Ruapehu, creating a serene setting for rest, relaxation and connection with nature.
A Lodge-Style Retreat in Ohakune
When people think of a lodge, they often picture somewhere close to nature. A place where mountain adventures begin and end. Somewhere quieter than a large hotel and more personal, calming and private.
While Two Rivers has never described itself as a lodge, many of the qualities travellers seek in lodge accommodation are the same qualities that we work hard to deliver here.
Interestingly, one of our guests made that connection. A recent TripAdvisor reviewer described Two Rivers simply as a:
“Wonderful boutique Lodge within easy walk of centre of Ohakune.”
Terry C - TripAdvisor - March 2026
As a bed and breakfast, we serve breakfast but don't operate an evening restaurant. Instead, a riverside walk of around 15 minutes leads into Ohakune, where guests can choose from a range of local cafés, restaurants and bars.
We rather like it that way.
Supporting the businesses around us matters to us, and it gives our guests the freedom to discover a little more of the town we call home before returning to the peace and privacy of Two Rivers.
Our three private guest suites are set within peaceful grounds between the Mangawhero and Mangateitei Rivers. Native birds are regular visitors, views towards Mt Ruapehu are never far away, and the surrounding gardens create a sense of privacy that allows guests to slow down, unwind, and reconnect.
With only three suites, Two Rivers is deliberately small. There are no crowded communal spaces or busy hotel corridors - just private accommodation, the sound of the rivers, and plenty of space to enjoy your own time together.
As owners, we live on-site and enjoy sharing our knowledge of the region while respecting the privacy of every guest. For us, hospitality is about providing a warm welcome, thoughtful comfort, and a genuine connection to the place we call home.
Winter sunshine illuminates Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe above native bush and a blanket of snow.
A Perfect Base for Tongariro Adventures
One of the reasons travellers seek lodge accommodation near Tongariro National Park is location. They want somewhere comfortable to return to after a day exploring the outdoors - but also somewhere that becomes part of the experience itself.
From our base in Ohakune, many of the Central Plateau's most memorable landscapes and adventures are within easy reach. Ohakune also has plenty to offer beyond the mountains, with cafés, restaurants and bars within easy reach. For guests travelling between Wellington and Rotorua, it can be a natural place to break the journey - exchanging a long day on the road for an evening in a quieter alpine town.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Often described as one of New Zealand's greatest day walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing attracts hikers from around the world to its extraordinary volcanic landscape.
Many guests choose to stay with us before and after their Crossing, using Ohakune as a comfortable base for their adventure. At the end of a long day on the mountain, returning to the peace and privacy of Two Rivers - and perhaps a long soak in a private hot tub - can feel particularly rewarding.
As one guest who stayed with us for the Crossing put it:
“The hot tub after the hike is perfect.”
KW – Tripadvisor - May 2025
Mt Ruapehu
Rising above Ohakune, Mt Ruapehu is an ever-present part of life here.
Winter brings skiing and snowboarding, while the warmer months offer hiking, sightseeing and opportunities to explore a remarkable volcanic landscape. Whatever the season, Ohakune provides an excellent base for discovering the mountain and the wider Ruapehu region.
Tongariro National Park
New Zealand's first national park and a UNESCO Dual World Heritage Area, Tongariro National Park combines dramatic volcanic landscapes, alpine scenery and native forest with profound cultural significance.
From short forest walks to full-day mountain adventures, there are countless ways to experience the park.
Not every day needs to be an epic one.
Walking and Cycling
Beyond the famous alpine adventures, the Ruapehu region offers an extensive network of walking and cycling trails for a wide range of abilities.
Guests can explore sections of the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono cycle trail, discover local forest and riverside walks, or simply follow quieter paths through the surrounding landscape.
We've welcomed guests who arrived determined to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, only for the weather to have other plans. In those situations, we've helped them discover alternative walks nearby - and they've still left with wonderful memories of the region.
Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you hadn't planned before you arrived.
Mangawhero Suite hot tub at dusk, with a glass of wine and ambient lighting creating a peaceful place to relax.
Why Choose a Lodge-Style Stay?
For us, the appeal of lodge-style accommodation isn't about a label. It's about the experience travellers are hoping to find.
Space to Unwind
After a day on the trails or slopes, returning somewhere peaceful becomes part of the experience.
With just three private guest suites, Two Rivers offers space to slow down - whether that's soaking in a private hot tub, relaxing on your deck, listening to the river, or simply doing very little at all.
One guest captured the feeling rather beautifully after staying in our Rua Awa Suite:
Connection with Nature
The destination extends far beyond its headline attractions.
At Two Rivers, the changing weather on Mt Ruapehu, the sound of flowing water, native birds moving through the gardens and clear Central Plateau night skies are part of everyday life.
You don't always have to go somewhere to experience the landscape.
Local Knowledge, Personally Shared
Some of the best experiences are discovered through local recommendations.
Living here means we can help guests make the most of their time in the region - whether you're working out the logistics of a mountain adventure, looking for a quieter walking track, wondering what the weather might mean for tomorrow's plans, or searching for somewhere special to dine.
We'll happily share what we know, then leave you to enjoy your stay in peace.
It's a style of hospitality our guests regularly mention. Janet and Gordon, visiting from Canada, described us as passionate about Ohakune and the central North Island, adding that our enthusiasm for the region had become part of their own experience of staying here.
A Slower Pace
Some guests arrive with ambitious itineraries. Others arrive determined to have no itinerary at all. We rather like both approaches.
One of the small things we love is hearing that guests woke later than they intended because they slept so well beside the rivers.
We all live busy lives, and seeing someone leave rested and ready for another adventure is one of the reasons we enjoy doing what we do.
Two Rivers can be a base for exploring Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu, but it can equally be somewhere to stop for a while - to read, talk, soak, sleep and remember that doing less can sometimes be the point of getting away.
Native gardens on their restoration journey lead the eye to Rua Awa beneath clear blue skies.
Eco-Luxury Inspired by Place
Our vision for Two Rivers has always been shaped by the environment around us.
We believe luxury and sustainability can sit comfortably together - and that caring for a beautiful place should be part of the experience of welcoming people to it.
Solar energy helps power your stay, EV charging supports lower-emission travel, and our ongoing native planting and riverbank restoration work is helping care for the landscape immediately around us.
Many travellers searching for an eco-lodge or eco-friendly accommodation near Tongariro are looking for exactly that balance - somewhere comfortable and special to stay, without losing sight of the environment they've travelled here to experience.
We don't pretend that sustainability is ever a finished project. For us, it is something practical and ongoing - visible in the choices we make, the land we care for, and the experience we hope to leave for those who come after us.
Wine and chocolates on the Mangawhero deck, with Mt Ruapehu rising beyond a landscape glowing pink at sunset.
More Than Just Accommodation
Some of our favourite moments in the region happen away from the major attractions.
~ Watching the first golden light touch Mt Ruapehu at dawn.
~ Drinking a glass of wine on the deck as sunset paints Mt Ruapehu a deep pink.
~ Listening to the river after a day of adventure.
~ Looking up at a sky filled with stars.
~ Returning from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with tired legs and a head full of memories.
~ Sinking into a hot tub and realising there is absolutely nowhere else you need to be.
These simple experiences are often the moments guests remember most.
Perhaps that is why one guest described Two Rivers as a “little piece of paradise.” (Michael K, January 2026)
For us, that is what a stay in the Ruapehu region is really about.
Looking down into Red Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, with vivid volcanic slopes and rugged alpine terrain.
Explore From Two Rivers
Whether you're planning a mountain adventure, a relaxing escape, or a little of both, Two Rivers offers a peaceful lodge-style retreat for discovering Tongariro National Park, Mt Ruapehu, Ohakune and the wider Central Plateau.
Many guests also choose Two Rivers as a relaxing stop when travelling between Wellington and Rotorua, breaking up a longer journey with time to unwind.
Explore Tongariro National Park
Discover the landscapes, walks and experiences of New Zealand's oldest national park.
Your Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Explore the Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Ohakune and discover why staying before and after the hike can make the experience even better.
Discover Mt Ruapehu
From skiing and snowboarding to summer adventures, explore the mountain that rises above Ohakune.
Walking and Cycling
Discover local trails, riverside walks and cycling adventures throughout the Ruapehu region.
Discover Our Guest Suites
Explore our three private riverside suites and find the Two Rivers stay that feels right for you.
Preferred Guest Club
Discover the benefits of booking directly and becoming part of our Preferred Guest Club.
We look forward to welcoming you to Two Rivers, and sharing a little of this remarkable part of New Zealand with every guest.
Rua Awa's welcoming interior frames views of the river, native gardens and beech trees, with the hot tub beyond.
Tongariro National Park is one of New Zealand's great adventure playgrounds. Where you return to afterwards can become part of the experience. At Two Rivers you'll swap crowds for birdsong, volcanic dust for warm water, and the exhilaration of the mountain for the quiet of the rivers.
Early stages of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing under clear blue skies, crossing a vast volcanic landscape.