Taupo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Huka Falls which includes a river or creek and boating as well as a small group of people
Visit a beautiful lakeside town and venture into its surrounding volcanic countryside to see awesome natural wonders and to enjoy thrilling outdoor adventures.

Taupo sits in the caldera of a super volcano on Lake Taupo, Australasia’s largest freshwater lake. It is a place where you can explore geothermal landscapes and take part in outdoor activities. Thrill to lake cruises and trout fishing and hike and mountain bike through the volcanic countryside.

Begin exploring the culture, heritage and geological history of the area at the Lake Taupo Museum and Art Gallery. Permanent and changing exhibitions focus on the history of the area and the culture of its peoples.

Many visitors come to Taupo to experience its geothermal attractions. Walk on boardwalks by boiling mud craters and steam vents at the Craters of the Moon. Drive 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) north of Taupo for the Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave at Wairakei. See the magnificent silica terraces and look inside the only geothermal cave in New Zealand.

Witness the power of nature at the Aratiatia Rapids when thousands of gallons of water per second rush through the regulated opening of the dam gates. Watch the awe-inspiring Huka Falls, one of the most photographed natural attractions in New Zealand. Get up close to the waterfall on a boat cruise or a thrilling jet boat ride that spins close to the plunging water.

Discover the scenic wonder of the Taupo region by hiking or biking along its many trails. A popular mountain bike route is the Great Lake Trail along the shores of Lake Taupo. If you are into fishing, cast your line into the water. This area is known for its trout fishing.

Taupo has all the amenities you would expect of a major town. There is a great range of cafés, bars and restaurants, some of which enjoy beautiful lakeside views.

A stay in Taupo puts North Island’s geothermal and volcanic wonders right on your doorstep. To get here, fly into Auckland, approximately a 3-hour drive away. Alternatively, land in Wellington and drive north for about 4.5 hours. Buses also connect both these places to Taupo.

Where to stay in Taupo

Default Image

Acacia Bay

Lake views and restaurants are notable features of Acacia Bay. You might consider stopping by Lake Taupo while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Acacia Bay
Default Image

Hilltop

While visiting Hilltop, you might make a stop by sights like Taupo Hot Springs and Lake Taupo.

Hilltop
Default Image

Two Mile Bay

While Two Mile Bay may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Taupo Hot Springs and Spa Thermal Park.

Two Mile Bay
Default Image

Wharewaka

While visiting Wharewaka, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Taupo and The Landing Lake Taupo.

Wharewaka
Default Image

Waipahihi

If you're spending some time in Waipahihi, Lake Taupo and Waipahihi Botanical Gardens are top sights worth seeing.

Waipahihi
Default Image

Nukuhau

While visiting Nukuhau, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Taupo and Waikato River.

Nukuhau
Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
4.5 out of 5
76 Napier-Taupo Road, SH 5, Taupo
The price is NZ$87 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
NZ$87
per night
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury holiday park in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (998 reviews)
"It was good having thermal pools at the same place unit was tidy and had all essentials"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
3 out of 5
100 Lake Terrace, Taupo
The price is NZ$96 per night from 26 May to 27 May
NZ$96
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this hotel in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (546 reviews)
"Restaurant on the facility and nearby breakfast houses"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Lakeland Resort Taupo
Lakeland Resort Taupo
3 out of 5
282 Lake Terrace, Taupo
The price is NZ$153 per night from 15 May to 16 May
NZ$153
per night
15 May - 16 May
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
"Loved that the complimentary milk came in a small bottle not the tiny plastic foil capped individual pots which are never enough."

Reviewed on 29 Apr. 2024

Lakeland Resort Taupo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ika Nui Taupo
Ika Nui Taupo
3 out of 5
64 Lake Terrace, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 3-star spa aparthotel in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (207 reviews)
"Excellent views over the lake and easy access to shops and restaurants"

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2024

Ika Nui Taupo
The Village Resort
The Village Resort
4 out of 5
82 Lake Terrace, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (253 reviews)
"We had a great stay here. The room could do with upgrading slightly and the bed wasn’t massively comfortable (though we are spoilt with our own one at home so could be being picky). The room we had was spacious, sunny and warm and in a fantastic location. The temporary property managers, Karen & ..."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

The Village Resort
Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments
Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments
3.5 out of 5
59-61 Kaimanawa Street, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Taupo. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the clean rooms in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (631 reviews)
"Very good location being no more than 10 minutes walk from Taupo town centre and the lakefront. Nice modern building and being on lakeside 2nd story we had great views of Lake Taupo and the Mountains. Very quiet rooms with virtually no noise from other rooms/guests or road. (Quest was fully booked ..."

Reviewed on 28 Apr. 2024

Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Taupo

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
872
" "5 - Excellent 58.055925432756325%
4 - Good
560
" "4 - Good 37.28362183754993%
3 - Okay
59
" "3 - Okay 3.9280958721704393%
2 - Disappointing
7
" "2 - Disappointing 0.46604527296937415%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 0.2663115845539281%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Jun 2020

Small town with beautiful lake, plenty of things to do regardless if it’s sunny or rainy and lots of beautiful wall art around to find.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Jun 2020

I always like to stop at Taupo in my trips to and from kapiti and Auckland.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 May 2020

Fantastic to have such a unique and varied tourist area. just. under 2 hours from home

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 May 2020

Family live out of town. Only one night stay. Didn’t see anything of Taupo this time.

5/5 - Excellent

Jim
24 May 2020

Love the lake and the rivers that feed it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Mar 2020

Beautiful area and stunning lake views!!

Cities near Taupo