Taupo
Things to do in Taupō, New Zealand
At any time of the year, a holiday in Taupō is always a good idea. Most of the main activities in Taupō - hot pools, golf, hiking, biking, fishing and geothermal sightseeing – are brilliant in any season. In summer months you get the added bonus of swimming in the lake; in winter you can look forward to skiing and snowboarding on Mount Ruapehu.
Geothermal energy is used by hotels, motels and lodges to heat water for hot spas - a delicious way to unwind at the end of the day.
Taupō geothermal parks
For geothermal phenomena of the hissing, bubbling and steaming kind, Taupō is fizzing with action. At Craters of the Moon you'll discover a walkable landscape of active craters, steam vents and bubbling mud pools. Wairakei Terraces offers a remarkable self-guided walk that includes a geyser, fumaroles and silica terraces – there are four hot pools too, for mineral-rich soaking. Only 30 minutes north from Taupō is Orakei Korako, loved for its colourful silica terraces, geysers and caves.
Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori rock carvings
One of the coolest things to see in Taupō is the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings, a way to mix culture with a lake experience. Towering 14-metres above the water, these intricate carvings were created by Māori artist Matahi Brightwell and are only accessible by boat. There are several ways to get to the carvings – lake cruise, charter yacht, steamboat or kayak.
Taupō walks
Walking is a way to linger longer in Taupō's remarkable landscapes. Here are a few of the choices:
- Huka Falls walkway: A short, easy walk to see the awesome water power of Huka Falls
- Huka Falls to Aratiatia Dam: Follow the Waikato River and see the fury of the Aratiatia Rapids
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing: A world-famous one-day hike through stunning volcanic landscapes
- Other hiking options in Tongariro National Park include Tama Lakes Track, Taranaki Falls walk and Silica Rapids walk
- W2K Whakaipo to Kinloch: A meandering trail with beautiful views of the lake
- K2K Trail: Kinloch to Kawakawa Bay for native forest and magical views
- Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve: Easy forest walks in a historic reserve
Essential information
Best time to visit Taupō
Taupō is a true all-seasons destination, although if you're planning to do the Tongariro Crossing you'll need to choose spring, summer or autumn. Although it doesn't snow in Taupō, winter temperatures can drop to sub-zero (Celsius) at night. Lakeside trees put on a gorgeous colour show in autumn.
How much does a Taupō holiday cost?
This will depend on your tastes, what you want to do and what kind of accommodation you prefer. It's possible to have a budget holiday in Taupō if you stick to free activities, like hiking, biking and hot swims at the lakeside. At the other end of the scale, you could have a luxury holiday that includes guided trout fishing, spa treatments, skydiving and golf.
Do I need a visa when flying to Taupō?
You might need a visa to holiday in New Zealand, depending on where you're from and how long you're staying. See the visa-waiver list.