Top Things to Do in the Taupo | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Taupo

Places To Visit In Taupo

AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy and Swing

AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy and Swing is New Zealand’s highest cliff-top Bungy jump and lies in Aotearoa’s geothermal region. It is located 154 feet above the Waikato River and you can even plunge into the crystal blue waters below. You can jump solo or in tandem with a friend against a dramatic landscape of towering volcanoes, geothermal valleys and snow-capped mountains. This is a great place for thrill seekers and people with an adventurous spirit. Taupo Bungy and Swing is located just five minutes from central Taupo over the Waikato River which is the longest river in New Zealand. You can also opt to experience the thrills of the Taupo Swing, which is an exhilarating swing with speeds of 70kph. This giant swing will have you soaring through the air and you can choose to do it solo or with a friend. Turn up the heat and enjoy a major adrenaline rush and enjoy epic views of the region. The minimum age requirement is 10 years and children below 14 years need an adult to sign a consent form. The minimum weight requirement is 30kgs and the maximum is 150kgs for solo or 180kgs for tandem swings. Read More

The Aratiatia Rapids are formed when thousands of litres of water are released from the Aratiatia dam into the Waikato River and the powerful flow through a narrow gorge creates a spectacular sight. The gates are opened a few times each day and are closed about 30 minutes later and the water resumes to a placid stream. Visitors can view the transition and marvel at the powerful force of nature by arriving a few minutes before the dam is due to release. The natural drop in the river is harnessed for hydroelectric power and there are many vantage points to watch this phenomenon. The Aratiatia Rapids are a 10-minute drive away from Taupo and the carpark has a huge picnic area. Aratiatia means ‘Stairway of Tia’ and an early Maori explorer Tia passed through the gorge to discover Lake Taupo. There is an easy walking track from the carpark which leads to two lookouts. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the lower lookout and 10 minutes more to reach the upper lookout. The track is not wheelchair accessible so there is an alternate option to drive down Rapids Road where there is a bridge overlooking the river. The bridge is a minute away from the carpark and you can enjoy the rapids from a distance. The rapids are not safe for swimming at any time. Read More

Craters of the moon is a geothermal walk with lunar landscapes in Taupo, New Zealand. Visitors can view thermal activity like steam vents, bubbling mud pools, bubbling craters, thermal pools and colourful soils. The area emerged around the 1950s when a power plant lowered underground water pressure levels resulting in superheated water rising through vents. There are many pathways and elevated viewing positions to observe the geothermal activity. You can also view interesting plants that have learned to grow and thrive in these conditions. Craters of the Moon is about 5.5km away from Taupo Town Centre. A 45-minute walk takes you around the main pathway of this cratered valley. There is another track to an upper lookout that takes 15-20 minutes extra but is worth the views. The boardwalks and gravel pathways are wheelchair and pram friendly. You can feel the literal heat of the earth and experience hissing steam and geysers. There is very little shade here and high temperatures so it is advisable to pack accordingly. Read More

The Huka Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Taupo, New Zealand and you will hear the falls before you see it. ‘Huka’ translates to ‘foam’ in Maori and almost a quarter of a million litres of water erupt per second and barrel over this 11m high waterfall into the Waikato River below. The continuous, endless torrent is caused by the Waikato River which is about 100m wide but is forced to narrow to 15m wide. The flow pressure increases and water bursts out as the gorge ends. Huka Falls is a five-minute’s drive from the Taupo Town Centre and tourist buses run also run daily from Taupo. You can take a boat trip to the base of the falls and feel the spray on your face. There is a foot-over bridge at the top of the waterfall where you can enjoy a closer look at the falls and a powerful display of the gushing water. There are walking tracks where you can find beautiful spots for photos and great vantage points of the waterfall. The Huka Falls car park is 1.6km away and has certain timings but the waterfall can be visited at any hour. Read More

Huka Falls is a powerful display of water cascading down 11m into a turbulent pool below. You can create a build-up to this spectacular sight by taking the trail from Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls. It is rated as an easy track and takes 2 hours (round trip) to complete and is 6km long. The walk begins in a very tranquil setting and you will pass native forest, native birds and emerge alongside the river. You will hear the Huka Falls before you see them. Walk along the banks of the Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river and enjoy this scenic walk with many vantage points along the way. The walk begins at the Thermal Park carpark and you will pass a natural hot spring, Otumuheke Stream where you can enjoy a free soak. There are storyboards along the way that explain the river's history. You will be rewarded with the beautiful sight of 200,000 liters of water running into the Waikato River. There is an impressive foot-over bridge where you can get a closer look at Huka Falls as well as great photos. The track continues towards the Aratiatia Rapids which brings the walking time to 4 hours. Read More

Kinloch is a settlement that is a 20-minute drive from the Taupo township and provides spectacular views of Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park. It was originally a sheep station but the white sandy stretch is now a popular holiday destination. Kinloch Beach is located along Whangamata Bay and the beach is also in the center of Whangamata Stream Scenic Reserve. It is the northernmost bay on the shores of Lake Taupo. You can enjoy kayaking, swimming, fishing, water skiing and all sorts of water sports. The clear waters are also famous for fly fishing and the marina makes it easy to charter boats and provides an access point to get into the water. You can catch fresh trout and barbecue it on the beach at the lakefront park. You can also opt to enjoy fish and chips at the local Kinloch Store. The safe swimming beach is popular among families and there are many holiday homes cropping up. It is also a perfect base to start the Great Lake Trail which is a 71km (grade 3) mountain biking trail. The Great Lake Trail takes you in the native bush surrounding Lake Taupo and is also part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network. You can enjoy stunning waterfalls, beautiful scenery and lake views on this trail. Read More

The Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings are one of New Zealand’s most unique contemporary works of art located on Lake Taupo. Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell carved these 33 feet high Maori designs in the late 1970s. He marked his ten-year training period with Maori elders with this significant carving which took four summers to finish. The rock carvings are only accessible by boat and you can take a sailing boat, scenic cruise, or go on a kayaking trip from Taupo Harbour. Matahi carved a likeness of a visionary Maori navigator, Ngatoroirangi who guided the Te Arawa and Tuwharetoa tribes to Tapua a thousand years ago. He also carved Celtic designs to recognize the cross-cultural nature. Matahi and four others took years to finish the carvings which also depict tupuna (ancestors) and kaitiaki (guardians) which are important to the history of the local Maori tribe. It was his grandmother's wish and was later given as a gift to Taupo. Along with these rock alcove carvings, you can enjoy the clear blue waters of Lake Taupo and engage in sailing and boating activities. Read More

For the local Maori, Mount Tauhara is a culturally significant landmark located in Taupo, New Zealand. This is a dormant volcano that formed over 65,000 years ago. You can enjoy a hike to the top of the summit at 1,088 meters and enjoy panoramic views of the central North Island, Mount Tongariri, Mount Ruapehu and Lake Taupo. It is rated as moderately challenging and is a 6.6km return track. It takes 1-1.5 hours to reach the summit and 40 minutes to an hour to climb back down. Mount Tauhara is a 7km drive from Taupo and the hike starts from the carpark. The track can be rough, wet and steep in places so make sure to wear proper gear. It can get cold and windy at the top so make sure to pack warm clothing. The first 10 minutes is farmland before you disappear into native bush and scrub. Good fitness is required to complete this track and you will be rewarded with views along the way as well as a spectacular view at the top. There is a creek 15 minutes away from the summit where you can cool off. If you want clear pictures with Lake Taupo in the background it is recommended that you leave earlier in the day. Read More

Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve is a perfect spot for families and is just a short 10-minute drive from Taupo. There are two walks at Opepe Reserve where you can immerse yourself in nature, regenerating bush and sites of historical interest. The Northern Waking Track is an easy 1.5km track and starts in a clockwise direction and you are immediately surrounded by nature. You can view kahikatea, matai, miro and the stately totara. This loop track will take you through a mature podocarp forest that unusually survived a volcanic eruption in 186AD. The reserve is also a great spot for birdwatching. Opepe is also known as the place of war between Bay of Plenty Cavalry and local Maori warriors led by Te Kooti. There is a burial site where 9 British soldiers were buried during the surprise attacks and information panels explain the site's history. There are other graves marking settlers who died a few years later. The Southern Walking track is an easy 3km track where you can walk to the saw pit and return in 20 minutes or go ahead and finish the entire loop. You can view monument remains of the old town of Opepe where about 120 people lived. You will notice the remains of a water well, totara site and a bullock watering site. Read More

Otumuheke Stream is Taupo’s free, hot water heaven and bathers can immerse themselves in healing mineral water. You can take in the clear green waters of the stunning Waikato River which is New Zealand’s longest river. The Otumuheke Stream flows through native bush and drops down into a couple of small waterfalls. It fills the pools below with healing warm water and then eases into the Waikato River. The stream is a 25-minute walk from Taupo town center and there are lockers, changing rooms and toilets on site. You can perch on a rock and enjoy the sun or soak under a waterfall. The temperature of the natural rock pools changes depending on where you sit so you can swim around to find a comfortable spot. There are storyboards and information panels explaining the historical significance of the area. The stream was a historical meeting and bathing place for the Maori and the redevelopment was a joint effort between the Taupo Council and local Maori tribes. There is also a coffee kiosk and seating area which is great for a family outing and the crystal-clear waters are truly a hotspot. Read More