Lake Taupo looking back towards Taupo town

Destination: Taupo, New Zealand

Taupo is a small lakeside town nestled on the northeastern shores of beautiful Lake Taupo, situated in the center of New Zealand’s North Island. Stunning Mt Raupehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, New Zealand’s highest peaks on North Island, stand majestically beyond Lake Taupo’s distant southern shores. On clear days, panoramic views over the lake and volcanic mountains are spectacular.

The three volcanic peaks are center pieces of Tongariro National Park. Within the vast park are two ski fields, a whole slew of hiking trails and strange volcanic landscapes & craters. The 19-km Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered New Zealand’s very best day hike and one of the best day hikes in the world.

The bizarre topography of craters, volcanic ash and moon-like surfaces seen along the hike were chosen as several filming locations for the famous Lord of the Rings movies, including Mt Doom.

Pohutu Geyser erupting at Te Puia in Rotorua

Taupo lies within the North Island’s extensive geothermal region that stretches from the volcanoes of Tongariro N.P. northeastward through Taupo and Rotorua then over to New Zealand’s east coast on the Pacific Ocean and beyond to smoldering White Island, just offshore.

Rotorua is currently the most active geothermal area in New Zealand. Thousands of visitors flock there to admire spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools, steaming lakes, frothing earth, hot rivers and sulfuric colored Earth.

But Taupo has its fair share of geothermal activity too. Steam rises up randomly from various points along the lake shore. A lake-side hot sand beach offers soothing foot soaks. A natural hot spring & waterfall flow into the wide Waikato River a few km from town, in aptly named Spa Park.

The free outdoor hot spring has become very popular among passing visitors. Not far from there, Craters of the Moon showcases a steaming, hissing, bubbling geothermal area that people can wander through on a 1-hour walkway.

free hot springs at Spa Park – Taupo

As if Taupo’s interesting geothermal activity, beautiful lake and majestic mountains weren’t enough stunning scenery for little Taupo, New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato, flows out of the lake and winds serenely through town.

The river provides a charming boat marina on the edge of town then flows along grassy hills, bends past sheer cliffs and then rushes past lush parks as it races towards narrow Huka Gorge and voluminous Huka Falls, just a few km out of town.

Taupo Bungee Jumping over the Waikato River

Over the years Taupo’s residents have wisely put their superb location and natural beauty to good use by setting up a whole slew of adventure activities. Visitors can take a scenic helicopter ride or water plane ride, go sky diving, do bungee jumping, rent bicycles for mountain biking or lakeside rides, race a jet boat along Waikato River to the base of Huka Falls, kayak on the lake or river, charter a fishing boat or go para-sailing.

As a result, Taupo has developed into a popular tourist destination for both new Zealanders and international visitors. But it has somehow managed to skip the typical cheesy tourist vibe, instead feeling more like a normal residential town on a lake.

Clearly Taupo is a fantastic destination for anyone into the great outdoors, especially for athletic travelers into cycling, hiking, mountain biking or adrenaline adventures. Oh, like me, for instance. :))

In fact, I recently spent three weeks in Taupo, as guest worker for two separate HelpX hosts. Upon my arrival at the stunning lake, Taupo quickly became one of my favorite places in New Zealand and remained so throughout my stay.

mountain biking in Taupo

During my three week stay I walked and cycled the shores of Lake Taupo, hiked along the Waikato River to famous Huka Falls, enjoyed mountain biking in beautiful forests, soaked in the free outdoor hot springs five times and watched several bungee jumpers. Alas, I was advised not to jump since I had suffered a bad slipped disc one year ago. At least I got to watch several people leap and scream as they plunged down to the crystal-clear Waikato River.

I also took a yoga lesson, learned all about bees and sampled tons of honey varieties at the Huka Honey Hive Center, browsed the Saturday morning market and visited charming Taupo Museum.

cliffs along Waikato River – Taupo

My only big disappointment at Taupo was that during my entire 3-week stay I never once saw the stunning mountain views! The famous peaks were all hidden behind clouds and rain for three solid weeks.

Despite that disappointment, I greatly enjoyed my time at Taupo. I highly recommend travelers to visit Taupo for a few days or a week while exploring the North Island.

Here are lists of things to do when visiting Taupo. Be sure not to miss any of the great free activities. And if your budget allows, try bungee jumping over the gorgeous Waikato River, sky diving or taking a scenic flight over the lake.

Free activities:

Huka Gorge just above Huka Falls

* walk or cycle along Lake Taupo

* enjoy views over the lake to the mountains of Tongariro N.P.

* soak your feet in the hot sand beach on the shores of Lake Taupo

* watch the lake’s beautiful black swans, ducks and seagulls

* walk along the Waikato River from downtown to Spa Park

* soak in free outdoor hot springs at Spa Park

* hike to famous Huka Falls – along the Waikato River

* hike to Acacia Falls – further along the river

* learn all about bees and sample honey (including New Zealand’s famous manuka honey) at Huka Honey Hive

* browse the Saturday morning market

Low cost activities:

* Taupo Museum $5

* A/C Baths – sauna and hot pools $7

* Craters of the Moon geothermal area $8

free campground along Waikato River – Taupo

Accommodation and Location:

Taupo has dozens of hotels, resorts, B&Bs and backpacker hostels. There’s also a free overnight parking area beside the lake, right in town, and a gorgeous free campground just a few km outside town along the beautiful Waikato River. So Taupo is well set-up for travelers of all budgets and travel styles.

Taupo is just 1 hour drive to Rotorua, 2-hours drive to the Pacific Coast / Hawkes Bay / Bay of Plenty, 3-hours drive to Wellington or Auckland.

QUESTIONS:

Have you been to Taupo? If so, what were your impressions and what did you do there?

If not, does Taupo sound like a place you’d go visit?

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You might also enjoy:

My 1st Impressions of Auckland

Photos of Geothermal Activity at Rotorua

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