Taupo, New Zealand: travel guide
A lakeside resort town on Australasia's largest lake, in a super-volcanic caldera. Base for Huka Falls, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, geothermal parks and trout fishing.
- Country
- New Zealand
- Currency
- NZD
- Time zone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Nearest airport
- TUO
Top places to visit in Taupo
Lake Taupo
Nature · about 1 h
Australasia's largest lake, filling a supervolcano caldera, with trout fishing, kayaking and mountain views.
Huka Falls
Waterfall · about 0.8 h
New Zealand's most-visited natural attraction, where the Waikato River funnels through a narrow chasm and thunders over an 11 m drop in electric-blue torrents.
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park
Nature · about 2.5 h
A less-visited 'hidden valley' of vast silica terraces, geysers and a rare geothermal cave, reached by a short boat ride.
Craters of the Moon
Nature · about 1.5 h
A boardwalk loop through a hissing, steaming geothermal field of craters and bubbling mud created by the Wairakei power station.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Nature · about 8 h
Often called the world's best day hike, a 19.4 km trek past steaming craters, the Emerald Lakes and Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom).
Aratiatia Rapids
Nature · about 1 h
A dammed gorge that dramatically fills and empties several times daily when the floodgates open into a churning cascade.
Spa Thermal Park & Otumuheke Stream
Nature · about 1 h
A riverside park where a naturally hot geothermal stream tumbles into the cool Waikato River for a free soak.
Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings
Cultural · about 2 h
Ten-metre-high modern Maori rock carvings on a lake cliff, only reachable by boat, kayak or sailing cruise.
Great Lake Taupo Lakefront
Nature · about 1 h
A grassy town beach and promenade with hot-water beach digging, cafes and mountain views across the lake.
Wairakei Terraces
Nature · about 1.5 h
Man-made silica terraces recreating the lost Pink and White Terraces, with geysers, a Maori village and thermal pools.
Mount Tauhara
Viewpoint · about 4 h
A steady climb through farmland and bush to a dormant volcano summit with the widest views over Lake Taupo.
Taupo Bungy & Cliffhanger
Activity · about 1.5 h
A 47 m bungy and giant cliff-swing over the vivid blue Waikato River gorge.
Things to do
- Hukafalls Jet Adventure · 1 h · from NZD 145 per person
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing Guided Walk Hiking · 10 h · from NZD 220 per person
- Taupo Bungy & Cliffhanger Swing Adventure · 1.5 h · from NZD 195 per person
- Skydive Taupo 15,000ft Adventure · 3 h · from NZD 399 per person
- Maori Rock Carvings Sailing Cruise Cultural · 2.5 h · from NZD 59 per person
- Lake Taupo Trout Fishing Charter Nature · 3 h · from NZD 160 per person
Day trips and tours
- Tongariro & Taupo Highlights Day Tour 8 h · from NZD 199
Where to stay in Taupo
- Taupo Town Centre & Lakefront about NZD 210 per night
The compact town centre by the lake, walkable to restaurants, the marina and the hot-water beach.
Hotels
- Acacia Cliffs Lodge 5-star · NZD 400 to NZD 700 per night
- Hilton Lake Taupo 5-star · NZD 280 to NZD 460 per night
- Wairakei Resort Taupo 4-star · NZD 200 to NZD 340 per night
- Millennium Hotel Manuels Taupo 4.5-star · NZD 220 to NZD 360 per night
- Suncourt Hotel Taupo 4-star · NZD 170 to NZD 290 per night
- Tiki Lodge Taupo 2-star · NZD 35 to NZD 120 per night
Where to eat
- The Brantry Modern New Zealand · about NZD 85 per person
- The Bistro Modern New Zealand · about NZD 55 per person
- Plateau Bar & Eatery Gastropub, Modern New Zealand · about NZD 50 per person
- Malabar Indian, Malaysian · about NZD 42 per person
- Storehouse Cafe · about NZD 30 per person
- Spoon & Paddle Cafe · about NZD 28 per person
- Dixie Browns Cafe, Modern New Zealand · about NZD 40 per person
- L'Arte Cafe Cafe · about NZD 28 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Vehicle theft at lake and trail car parks
Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon car parks
Bags and electronics left visible in parked cars are occasionally stolen.
How to avoid it: Take valuables with you and leave the car empty and locked.