Stay at Casey Lodge and Experience the Ruapehu Region
Chris Casey was a phenomenal youth worker with the Wellington Diocese for over 20 years. The impact of his faithful service was, and continues to be, felt far and wide and across many generations. In the summer of 2019 Chris Casey completed renovating St Jame’s Hall, situated next to St John’s Church in Ohakune, from a hall into accommodation.
In honour of the work Chris did on the building and his faithful service spanning many more years than what he gave to the Wellington Diocese, the name of the building was changed from the Ohakune Lodge Retreat to Casey Lodge.
If there was one thing Chris was passionate about more than his ministry, it was his family. Casey Lodge has recently been renovated from a 19-bunk large group facility to a space that is idea for families to meet. There are now two bedrooms with queen beds and another bedroom that sleeps 4 (one bunk bed, a single bed and a trundler bed). With two showers, three toilets and a laundry it is the perfect space for multiple families to meet up and enjoy the natural playground that is the Ruapehu region. We are also four hours’ drive from Auckland and three and half hours’ drive from Wellington meaning that we are the perfect spot for friends or families to meet in the middle and have a great time.
This winter is shaping up to be the best winter we have had in a couple of years with good snow coverage compared to the previous two or three seasons and Tūroa ski field now running all lifts. Being only 20 minute’s drive from Tūroa carpark and situated 5 minute’s walk from New World, multiple ski/board rental facilities as well as the climbing wall and some great restaurants, Casey Lodge is a great place spend some time and create memories.
A great winter experience isn’t the only thing that the Ruapehu region has to offer though. Summer is just as busy with the Old Coach Road being a great mountain bike trail as well as walking track. The region also has the newly established Te Ara Mangawhero mountain bike trail. Ohakune is also a great base if you are wanting to hike the Tongariro Crossing with Dempsey Buses providing shuttles from Ohakune. Located right next door to Casey Lodge is LKNZ which has spa’s that you can book to soak tired legs and bodies after hiking the crossing as well.
To book a space at Casey lodge check the calendar on the Air BnB listing here and then email stjohnsohakune@gmail.com to request dates that are free. From July to October the price is $200 per night plus the additional one-off cost of a $50 linen fee and $100 cleaning fee. From November to June it is $150 per night plus the same one-off costs. These costs mean that for a two-night stay in winter you are saving over $200 by booking directly as opposed to Air Bnb.
