Turangi Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Turangi featuring a river or creek and rafting
Turangi showing landscape views and a sunset
Turangi featuring a suspension bridge or treetop walkway and forest scenes as well as a small group of people
Turangi showing a bay or harbour and a lake or waterhole
Turangi featuring forests

With outdoor pursuits and close proximity to active volcanoes and geothermal attractions, this riverside town is an exciting holiday destination.

On the southern banks of the Tongariro River is the small town of Turangi, a picturesque place surrounded by magnificent volcanic countryside. Enjoy scenic waterfront walks, go on a trout fishing trip and hike across a mountainous landscape.

Turangi makes a great base for discovering the geothermal phenomena of the North Island.

Explore Tongariro National Park, a vast wilderness encompassing three volcanic mountains. Go on a day-long hike across the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a spectacular route that passes by rocky fields, old lava flows, craters, steam vents and emerald-green lakes. During the winter, the park is a popular ski location. Swoop down the slopes of Whakapapa on the north-western side of Mount Ruapehu. This lays claim to being the largest ski area in New Zealand.

Closer to Turangi, there are lots of activities to be enjoyed on and around the lake. Walk the short scenic tracks at the southern end of this large body of water. Mountain bike along the Tongariro River Walkway where tracks cater for all skill levels. Get out on the lake with a relaxing cruise.

Tongariro River is known for its rainbow trout as is Lake Taupo, which is approximately 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away. Take your pick from one of several trout fishing excursions, which include half day and multi-day trips. Quad bike through bush to remote fishing destinations.

Save enough time to stop by some of the nearby villages, including Whareroa, Pukawa, Kuratau and Omori. At the small village of Tokaanu, treat your body to the warm bubbling mineral pools of the Tokaanu Thermal Area. You can even take a soak at night under starlit skies.

To reach Turangi, fly into the airports at either Auckland or Wellington. The drive from both these places takes approximately 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight to Taupo Airport, which is about 40 minutes away by road. Whether you come during the winter or summer, there are plenty of year-round activities at Turangi.

Where to stay in Turangi

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Waiotaka Valley

When in Waiotaka Valley, you can plan a visit to Tongariro National Trout Centre and River Vineyard, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Waiotaka Valley
Turangi Leisure Lodge
Turangi Leisure Lodge
2.5 out of 5
Ngawaka Place, Turangi
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$142 per night from 15 July to 16 July
NZ$142
15 July - 16 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Turangi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (440 reviews)
"Could walk everywhere. Spa on site added to relaxing stay"

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Turangi Leisure Lodge
Tongariro Lodge
Tongariro Lodge
4 out of 5
83 Grace Road, Turangi
The price is NZ$224 per night from 10 July to 11 July
NZ$224
10 July - 11 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly lodge in Turangi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (333 reviews)
"Great location. Stream nearby. Clean and white rooms. Excellent staff service."

Reviewed on 2 Jun. 2025

Tongariro Lodge
Parklands Motorlodge
Parklands Motorlodge
3.5 out of 5
25 Te Arahori Street, Turangi, North Island
The price is NZ$129 per night from 21 July to 22 July
NZ$129
21 July - 22 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star golf motel in Turangi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions River Vineyard and Tongariro National ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (355 reviews)
"Booked 2 rooms. Both rooms struggled to get hot water, the showers only got to lukewarm. Also we received a welcome email about the hotel and on it stated the restaurants open hours but not the days open to find out the restaurant was closed on a Sunday which the email message sent out should state ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Parklands Motorlodge
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.
Tongariro Riverside holiday house
Tongariro Riverside holiday house
Turangi
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Turangi. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions River Vineyard and Tongariro ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (166 reviews)
Winter retreat
"Great spot on the river with a cosy warm fire"

Reviewed on 25 May 2025

Tongariro Riverside holiday house
Take time out in Turangi - family friendly
Take time out in Turangi - family friendly
Turangi
Book a stay at this ski vacation home in Turangi. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions River Vineyard and Tongariro National ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (79 reviews)
Perfect Base for Our Adventures
"Our group of four had a fantastic stay at Tracy and Steve's well-equipped property. The house had everything we needed - fully stocked kitchen, all linen provided, and a cozy fireplace that kept us warm. Perfect location for walking to town and driving to local attractions like the Tongariro River ..."

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

Take time out in Turangi - family friendly
Blue Haven 2 B/Room and Sleepout close to everything including Tongariro River
Blue Haven 2 B/Room and Sleepout close to everything including Tongariro River
2 out of 5
Turangi
Stay at this vacation home in Turangi. Enjoy laundry facilities and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions River Vineyard and Tongariro National Trout Centre ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (12 reviews)
Great
"Great little place to stay"

Reviewed on 23 Jun. 2025

Blue Haven 2 B/Room and Sleepout close to everything including Tongariro River
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 Turangi

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
35
5 - Excellent 32%
4 - Good
58
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
16
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Tongariro River Walk was great. Beautiful autumn scenery and anglers trout fishing all the way. Tokaanu thermal pools 5 mins down the road, wonderful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely little town

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It looks very clean and tidy and the locals were friendly and helpful

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

All amenities available...conveniently located

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Arrived late at night and left early but looked to have good layout and range of shopping.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice restaurants and adequate shopping. Great little miniature golf park and great walks along the Tongariro. Drove through to National Army Museum on a nice day and enjoyed the drive. The Museum well worth a look.

Cities near Turangi