In 1884 the government recommended the North Island Main Trunk between Te Awamutu and Marton railway follow the central route as surveyed by John Rochfort.
In 1887, a start was made to upgrade a bridle trail close to the proposed route between Ohakune and Raurimu.
The plan was to first turn the bridle trail into a service road and then made suitable for coach traffic.
In 1906, the steep parts on the 8•5 km section of the service road between Ohakune and Horopito were surfaced with cobblestones.
On January 10, 1907, the first coach carrying railway passengers travelled from Raurimu to Raetihi and Ohakune.
Coaches ferried railway passengers between railheads until November 8, 1908, when the railway tracks were ready for regular train running.
With the railway line completed, and regular trains running, there was no further need for coach services and the road was left unmaintained.
No other road of this age, length and surface exists in New Zealand.
Each year there are two guided walks along the Ohakune Coach Road as part of this programme.
These two walks usually happen at the beginning and end of January. Check with DoC online to get the dates for the next Summer Programme Coach Road walks.
At the present time, walks along the road need to be guided, for parts of the road are heavily overgrown, and unless one knows where to go, getting lost is very easy. Guided walks will be taken throughout the year, and dates for these will be announced on this site.
Taonui Viaduct
If you would like to organise a group walk along the road, please contact us to make arrangements.
Features along the Ohakune Coach Road are noted www.wikimapia.com (classic version)
