For the Family
Wanting to get out and about
AC Baths - Thermally heated public swimming pools. Indoor outdoor leisure pool, two hydroslides, private spas, two 25 metre pools, great family fun. Adults $6.50, Children $2.50, Taupo Events Centre, Cnr Spa Road and AC Baths Avenue. Open from 6am-9pm Mon-Fri and 7am-9pm Sat & Sun. Taupo
Alice the Lady of the Lake - Alice is a wood fired, 28ft steam launch built in the 1870s. She is the oldest vessel in a New Zealand survey, and brings to lake Taupo a most interesting life history starting from her early days on the Kaipara Harbour where she was built. Sat and Sun 10, 11, 12.30 and 2pm- 1 hour trip $20 Adult, $8 per child, under 5 free. Lake Taupo Boat Harbour, Berth 43, Lake Taupo.
Ceramic Painting - A vibrant, inspiring studio-cafe where you can paint your own ceramics. You choose a piece of pottery, unleash your imagination, and create your own masterpiece. Anyone can do it. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Closed Mondays except School and Public Holidays. Prices start from $10-$50. Prices all inclusive. Located at 13 Marama Arcade, Lake Taupo.
Day Walks - There are a number of day walks around the area ranging from 30 minutes up to full day walks. Please see the Taupo or Turangi i-SITE Visitor Centre for a Department of Conservation walks Brochure (From $1 each)
Double Decker Bus Tours - 20 minute town tours. Operates in School hoildays only during winter months. Regular summer tours. Check with the Turangi or Taupo i-SITE Visitor Centre for tour times. Adults $8, Child $4 (5-15 years), $1 (2-4 years), Family (2 Adults, @ Children) $20. Meet at Superloo or Lakefront, Lake Taupo.
Honey Hive - Watch bees in their glass viewing hives and see a fascinating video. Sample a myriad of honey products and see a wide range of souvenirs at the 'Bees Knees' Cafe. Open daily 9am-5pm Free admission. Situated off SH1 north in Wairakei Tourist Park, Lake Taupo.
Indoor Climbing Wall - Taupo Events Centre, 432 sq metres of climbing area with 30 different climbing routes. Open 5pm-9pm Monday to Friday, 12 midday-9pm Saturday and Sunday. Gear hire and instruction cost; Adults $14, Children $12. Fitness centre also available. Situated at the Taupo Events Centre, AC Baths Avenue, Lake Taupo.
Lake Cruises - Various boats and yachts cruise Lake Taupo daily. View the famous Maori Rock carvings. Check with the Turangi or Taupo i-SITE Visitor Centre for details. Prices vary from $76-$140 for a family. Lake Taupo Boat harbour, Lake Taupo.
Lilliput Farm - Enjoy a stroll through a tree lined lane viewing animals and birds. There is a picnic area, garden, ply huts, swings etc for the children to play on. Adults $7, Child $5, Family $20. Located at 136 Link Road. Left off SH1 north Taupo-Hamilton Road, Lake Taupo.
Lion Express Train - Children's rides on a small monorail. Operates from 10am Public and School Holidays; also weekends during summer (weather permitting). $1 per person. Please check with Turangi or Taupo i-SITE Visitor Centres during winter months. Situated on the Tongariro South Domain by the lakefront, Taupo.
Mountain Biking - There are a number or easy to hard rides in the area, Bikes are available to hire. 'Cycling Round Lake Taupo' guide available for free from the Taupo or Turangi i-SITE Visitor Centre or visit www.biketaupo.org.nz.
Museum of Art and History - Changing exhibitons and displays make the museum an interesting stopping point. open daily 10.30am-4.30pm, closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. Situated in Story Place, Lake Taupo. Adults $4, Children free.
Orakei Korako - View geysers, silica terraces, hot springs, boiling mud pools and the majestic Ruatapu Caves in the Hidden Valley. Adult $22, Children $8, Family $52. Located 25 minutes north of Lake Taupo off SH1 to Hamilton.
Parks and Reserves - There are a number of parks and reserves to enjoy and without cost! Pack a picnic and a rug and enjoy!
Playgrounds - Taupo: Tongariro South Domain by the Superloo, Mere Road Park, Spa Park and McDonalds! Turangi: McLaren Park, Ohuanga Road, Taupahi Reserve and Taupahi Road, Taupo.
Prawn Farm - View gaint freshwater prawns at the only thermally heated prawn park in New Zealand. Restaurant open during the day. Tours depart hourly from 11am until 4pm. Adult 410, Children (under 16 years) $4, Pre-schoolers free, Family $25. Prawn Fishing and Killer Prawn Golf available for additional cost. Located at Wairakei Tourist Park, Lake Taupo, off SH1 north.
Southern Lake Taupo Mini Golf - 18 themed holes. Open daily 9am to 5pm (later in the summer). Adult $7.50, Children (up to 13 years) $5. 19 Ohuanga Road, Turangi.
Starlight Cinema - Five theatres in this complex. Check newspapers or phone 378-7515 for movie programme. Located in Starlight Arcade, between Horomatangi and Tamamutu Streets, Lake Taupo.
Taupo Hot Springs Spa - Mineral outdoor and private pools. Massage for health. Open 7.30am-9.30pm. Outdoor pools; Adults $9, Children $4-$5. Private pools; Adult $10, Children $4-$5. Includes the interactive water playground. Located on SH5 Napier/Taupo.
Taupo Mini Golf - 18 holes of fun on the lakefront. Open from 9am to duck, 7 days a week. Adult $7, children $5. Northcroft St, Taupo.
Tokaanu Thermal Pools - Thermally heated outdoor pool plus private pools. Open 10am to 9pm. Adult $5, Children $2.50. Private pools Adult $7, Children $3. Mangaroa St, Tokaanu.
Tokaanu Stream Kayaking - Enjoy kayaking down the Tokaanu Stream, out onto the lake and then back up the Tokaanu Canal. If you are feel energetic. Hours and price on application. 355 SH1, Turangi.
Vertical Assault - Cafe and Climbing Wall with 26 routes, 14 metre vertical climb, 20 metre lead climb. Open 10am-6pm daily. Adult $15, Children $11, (includes harness). Ngawaka Place, Turangi.
Volcanic Activity Centre - Experience the 6.3 Edgecumbe earthquake in the earthquake simulator. See if you can make the volcano erupt! Continous audio-visual presentation. Adult $9.50, Children $5. Family $24, Pre schoolers free. Situated in Wairakei Tourist Park, Lake Taupo, off SH1 north.
Wai Maori Adventures - Wai Maori has a great range of adventures for young children through to their grandparents. From self guided lake and stream kayaking to rafting on the Tongariro River. Situated just off SH 41, Tokaanu Thermal Village, Signposted Rafting/Kayaking.
Wairakei Terraces - Offers a look back in time to the famous thermal terraces of the past, man made cascading silica terraces in pinks, blues and whites. Carving depicting legendary figures of Ngati Tuwharetoa provide background into the history and culture of the tribe. Open 7 days. Adult $18, Children $9, Family (2 adults, 2 children) $50. Situated off SH1 North in Wairakei Tourist Park, Lake Taupo.
Wairakei Thermal Vallery - Birds, bunnies, and other small animals roam freely. There is also a thermal walk and cafe in a picturesque setting. The walk costs; Adult $9, Child $4 (3-15 years) Senior Citizens and Students $7. Open from 8.30am to dusk during summer and 9am to 5pm during winter months. Situated 7 km north of Lake Taupo on SH1.
Toilets (Taupo) - Superloo situated on the Tongariro South Domain on Tongariro Street. Cost 40 cents. Free mothers room. Free toilets located at the Boat Harbour, Tuwharetoa St outside Farmers, Suncourt Shopping Centre, on the Tongariro North Domain and behind Fire Station, Lake Taupo.
Toilets (Turangi) - At town Centre and Information Centre.
