Lake Taupo Region
the centre of it all
The local's love this place because of it's relaxed pace of life and the wide range of activities on offer.
Taupo is a vibrant community with a buzzing café and restaurant scene varied nightlife and some great pubs and lounge bars. The outdoor lifestyle is second to none here with easy access to the bush, lake and mountains. Time away is about enjoying the simple things in life and Taupo certainly delivers these.
Centrally located on SH1, Lake Taupo covers an area sketching from Orakei Korako in the north, to Tongariro National Park in the south. Here you'll be impressed with the scenery and amazed at the holiday options available. You'll find snow capped mountains, a enormous fresh water lake, pristine native bush, steaming thermal areas and one of the world's only Dual World Heritage Parks.
Taupo must do's
Get out on the lake and catch a trout - you'd be crazy to come to Taupo and not get out on the lake. Contact the i-Site Visitor Information Centre or see Water Activities.
Visit two of the best vantage points along the Waikato River, Lake Taupo's only water outlet and the longest river in New Zealand, for some serious fast-moving water action. The Huka Falls are the country's most visited natural attraction, and can be visited by car, foot, bike, jet-boat, riverboat or helicopter, accessed of SH1. The Aratiatia Rapids are a unique experience - watch as the dam opens daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm - summer, and 10am, 12pm and 4pm - winter. Some must do 'rapid action'. Situated a short distance off SH5.
Soak in a thermal hot pool Choose from one of Taupo's two mineral water pool and aqautic facilities; or stay at one of our many accommodation providers who have their own thermal hot pools.
Fish and chips on the lakefront Eat alfresco, just like a local. Take in the spectacular views while watching the sun sink behind the mountains.
Lake Taupo is the site of the world's largest eruption in the last 5,000 years. The results of its earth shattering creation can be seen everywhere with active volcanoes, spetacular steaming cliffs, geysers, boiling lakes, bubbling mudpools and floating rocks called pumice. Visit Karapiti (Craters of the Moon), Orakei Korako Thermal Park or any one of the significant geothermal sites in the region.
Tee off in Taupo Taupo is blessed with five golf courses in close proximity, from a nine hole resort course to the world class Wairakei International Golf Course. Enough to keep keen golfers active for atleast a week.
Take a ride on the iconic Lions Train no family holiday in Taupo is complete without taking the littles ones on the train based on the Tongariro South Domain. Operates holidays and weekends.
