Wairakei Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Wairakei featuring mist or fog as well as an individual female
Wairakei showing a park and forests
Wairakei featuring a hot spring and mist or fog
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave showing forests and a river or creek

Get close to volcanic wonders and experience the geothermal power of the centre of New Zealand's picturesque North Island.

Make Wairakei your home base when you want to explore the geothermal power of the Earth. See bubbling mud pools, silica terraces and geysers, the result of one of the most violent volcanic eruptions of the last 5,000 years. Approximately 1,800 years ago Taupo Volcano erupted, sending plumes 31 miles (50 kilometers) into the air.

Wairakei is a small town north of Taupo in the Central Volcanic Plateau, close to a highly active geothermal area. Sightsee the geothermal valleys, silica terraces and geysers ofOrakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave.

Discover more examples of the impressive power of nature at Wairakei Tourist Park. Here you can go on a boardwalk tour of theCraters of the Moon, a landscape of boiling mud craters and steam vents. Then watch mighty surges of water atHuka FallsandAratiatia Rapids.

The tourist park also features a number of outdoor activities to get the heart pumping, including wakeboarding atAnarchy Boarding Park, a rope course and 50 miles (80 kilometers) of mountain bike tracks. For some leisurely sporting activity, play the 18 holes of the Wairakei Golf Course, which is spread across 445 acres (180 hectares)) of theWairakei Geothermal Park.

After your activities, soothe your body in the thermal pools ofWairakei Terraces. Then stroll along the walkway to see the man-made geysers and man-made silica terraces. Along the way, you will pass by carvings that depict local Maori history and culture. While you are here, go to the recreated Maori village and pick up insights into how the Maori people have used the thermal pools for healing. You can also see traditional tattooing and weaving, learn about the culture and try a traditional barbecue.

With a number of accommodation options and its close proximity to natural attractions, Wairakei is a superb choice for an active and fun-filled holiday. This spectacular location is 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) from the center of Taupo, a 3-hour scenic drive from Auckland and a 4.5-hour drive from Wellington.

Wairakei Resort Taupo
Wairakei Resort Taupo
4 out of 5
640 Wairakei Road, Wairakei
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$152 per night from 14 July to 15 July
NZ$152
14 July - 15 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Wairakei. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Room was spacious, though nothing fancy. Requested and got another pillow. Then we had to go back to reception to get a remote for the TV - they didn't answer the phone (we tried many times). Staff are all very friendly and helpful. Pool was lovely and hot."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

Wairakei Resort Taupo
Huka Lodge
Huka Lodge
5 out of 5
271 Huka Falls Road, Wairakei
The price is NZ$3,000 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$3,000
13 July - 14 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury lodge in Wairakei. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon are located ...
"Beyond exceptional."

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 2023

Huka Lodge
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
3 out of 5
100 Lake Terrace, Taupo
The price is NZ$93 per night from 24 July to 25 July
NZ$93
24 July - 25 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Taupō. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (883 reviews)
"A bit of noise from guests upstairs walking around and stomping, but otherwise good."

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Lakefront Lodge 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 aparthotel in Taupō. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (323 reviews)
Good but was expecting better for 2nd visit
"2nd time staying. Would have been better if got the top floor instead of ground for the lake front view. Since was ground floor facing road and people walking by in front of window, net curtains would be nice for privacy while still seeing the lake."

Reviewed on 27 Jun. 2025

Ika Nui Taupo
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 Taupō. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (703 reviews)
"Facilities and service"

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments
The Village Resort
The Village Resort
4 out of 5
82 Lake Terrace, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Taupō. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (334 reviews)
"Lovely front of house."

Reviewed on 8 Jul. 2025

The Village Resort
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 Wairakei

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
50
5 - Excellent 51%
4 - Good
39
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
5
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A great place to go to if you want to visit Taupo and the Huka Falls

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Was a pleasant experience, but probably not somewhere we would visit again

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Have enough money to buy food every day.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

I thought this place was a resort. Not from our experience

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

If it wasnt so convenient and peaceful we would not come back

5/5 - Excellent

Tim

Brilliant for business.

Cities near Wairakei