Discover Oruanui: Horse Riding, Culture and Animal Encounters

Oruanui brings together equestrian interests, animal encounters and a distinctive cultural heritage. The Pony Club, Lilliput Farm, St Matthew’s Church and Marae Te Kapa o Te Rangiita represent different aspects of the area.

Horse Riding and Animal Encounters

Oruanui Pony Club is located at the corner of Poihipi Road and Oruanui Road. A snapshot of the club dated 22 July 2016 describes a sand arena, two showjumping courses, games equipment and a cross-country course with jumps ranging from Pre-Intro to Pre-Novice/Open level. The facilities therefore cover arena riding, showjumping and cross-country riding; the stated range of levels refers to the jumps on the cross-country course. The club also accepts adult riders and people without Pony Club membership as visitors. Confirm arrangements before travelling. The same snapshot describes a safe learning environment for young riders, where they learn to ride and care for their ponies. As the details about the facilities and programme come from this snapshot, check directly with the club before using them to find out what is currently available.

At Lilliput Farm, visitors can hand-feed almost all the animals. This is a different kind of animal encounter from the Pony Club: feeding is the focus here, while the Pony Club is about riding, facilities and young riders’ learning. St Matthew’s Church adds a cultural note: built in 1911, the church is decorated throughout with woven Tukutuku panels. Marae Te Kapa o Te Rangiita is on the western side of the road in Oruanui.

Te Kapa o Te Rangiita ki Oruanui and the Department of Conservation are working together to protect and improve Whakaipo Bay for the community. If Whakaipo Bay is part of your plans, check current conditions before visiting.

More Experiences in the Taupo District

The wider destination of the Taupo District offers a broader setting for nature and cultural interests. Tongariro National Park is one of New Zealand’s three World Heritage Sites. Its dual World Heritage status recognises significant Māori cultural and spiritual associations; the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is within the park’s dual World Heritage area. This combination of cultural significance and a specifically located route may be important when planning your wider trip.

The trails in the Taupo District also offer different ways to explore. The complete Tongariro River Trail loop is 13.2 km long and can be started at the Tūrangi isite. The shared trail is used by anglers, people with dogs and mountain bikers; cyclists must give way to pedestrians. The Great Lake Pathway starts at Taupo Boat Harbour, is mostly flat and offers a family-friendly outdoor experience. In comparison, the Tongariro River Trail has specified distance and shared use, while the Great Lake Pathway is described primarily in terms of its flat terrain.

For a different kind of scenery, the Great Lake Trails pass through native forest, past waterfalls and through deep gorges to the waters of Lake Taupō. A boat shuttle connects different sections and allows pick-ups and drop-offs at several scenic bays along the route; booking requirements may change. At Huka Falls, nearly a quarter of a million litres of water per second plunge 11 metres into the Waikato River through a natural gorge. Walking tracks run on both sides of the falls. The Taupo District therefore offers a range of options: trails with stated distances and uses, a family-friendly outdoor experience and striking waterscapes.

When looking for hotels, it helps to first decide which experiences matter most to you: do you want Oruanui, with its Pony Club, farm and cultural sites, to be your main focus, or are you also planning to visit destinations elsewhere in the Taupo District? Choose where to stay based on the places you actually want to visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Wairakei, Turangi, Kuratau, Mangakino, Iwitahi, Waihaha, Mokai, Tokaanu

For the wider travel overview: Taupo District.