Taupo is definitely one of our favourite places for a relaxing vacation, a place we keep going back to for a short stopover to wind down while exploring the North Island of New Zealand. We will introduce you to our preferred places to be, things to see, and where to stay. From a popular tourist spot to a quiet location and daring experiences, this is our one full-package guide to the activities and places we love around the gorgeous Lake Taupō.
*We are not sponsored in any form by any of the activities or accommodations.
Huka Falls
We will begin with one of the most famous falls in the North Island, Huka Falls, which is located only around 10-15 minutes’ drive from the town area on a narrow section of the Waikato River that is connected to Lake Taupō.
It is simply an easy and worthwhile visit for quite an impressive sight. The water flows rapidly in the narrow channel before dropping down a few meters into a waterfall. What is special about this place is not its height but rather how fast and white the river flows there. Due to how easy it is to reach, we visited Huka Falls twice, once during autumn and the second time during the summer. In autumn, you will also witness the trees around the falls changing colors.
Huka Falls Ride
For those who seek some excitement, there is a Hukafalls Jet ride service to experience a thrilling ride on the rapids alongside the waterfall.
Huka Prawn Park
A famous diner near the Huka Falls, where the prawns are their specialty. Personally, we would say that it is worth visiting if you happen to have a craving for prawns and the queue is not too long; otherwise, we would say the place can be skipped.
Walk along the lakefront
Probably the obvious choice for those who want to enjoy a relaxing day beside the lake, the surroundings of Lake Taupo are the perfect place to enjoy a long walk or a short run, especially in the early morning or during sunset hours.
For those who are staying in Taupō, also visit our top favourite places to dine and cafes in Taupō. One of the highlights is a coffee shop that roasts its coffee right in front of you.
For more lake destinations in New Zealand, see how we felt about Lake Tekapo and Lake Wanaka.
Stay: Lake Front Airbnb
This brings us to our first of two Airbnbs we recommend staying in Taupo. A stay in a home on the lakeside hill with direct walking access down to the lake.
The room is clean and modern, and the view is majestic. A glass of wine out on the balcony during the sunset here is hard to beat.
The home can accommodate 5 people with one king bed and three singles. There is also a spa pool for you to enjoy; however, there is only one bathroom, which may be harder to share.
Link to the Airbnb: Here
Waikato River
Enjoy the serene scenery of the Waikato River flowing through the town. Walking or biking along the river is one of the best things to do here. In summer, you can go down in the water for a swim from dedicated spots along the lake.
Stay: Waikato River Airbnb
Here we introduce you to the second and more cost-effective bed & breakfast Airbnb stay right beside the river in one of the quiet neighborhoods in town.
What looks like a share house is actually more private than it is; the section of the house you are staying in has its own access point towards the back, with a separate bathroom and a small minibar. The hosts are nice people and even let us use their laundry machine.
If you want to take a dip in the lake during summer, this place is perfect, as it is also almost directly in front of one of the access points down to the river below, where you can swim freely in the clear blue water.
Link to the Airbnb: Here
*Be careful while swimming in the river.
Rangatira Point walking track
Take a few minutes’ drive out to the Rangatira Point and hike along an easy, short trail beside the lake. There were barely any people here during the time we went, and it was a quiet walk covered with trees and a glimpse of the lake beside.
Along the path are spots you could walk down and into the lake, people come here in the summer with their swimsuits on. Towards the end of the path is a small dock area where you can sit beside the lake, read, enjoy a quiet lunch, or swim.
Skydiving
An activity for those who dare. Taupō is also known to be one of the most scenic places for skydiving in the country.
No experience is required, as you can be strapped to a seasoned skydiver on your way down. This place was also our first-ever skydiving experience.
If you have decided to try it for the first time, we recommend going for the middle-level altitude jump package rather than the lowest one. We found that the view is better from there, and you feel more of the complete experience at that height. The service we used is Taupo Tandem Skydiving (not sponsored).
Do note that it WILL be cold up there even in summer. You will feel the cold air rushing past your body on the way down, so do wear appropriate clothing.
Funfact
For those who might not know what skydiving from a plane feels like, adrenaline and cold feet are what you can expect to feel.
If you are like me, who wonders if it would have the same feeling as the drop you feel on the way down from the top of a roller coaster, all the way down before you open the parachute, it does not. That feeling comes initially and goes away after you have adjusted to the free-falling velocity; after that, you are kind of floating.
Passing that, and once the parachute opens, you can start to appreciate the view of Taupo below, which is nothing short of breathtaking.
A stayover before hiking the Tongariro
If you are looking to hike the Tongariro and are wondering where to stay, we recommend spending the night in Taupō before driving out to the Tongariro early in the morning. Accommodations here are what we found to be the best, in terms of both the number of choices you have and the quality of the stay, compared to other areas around.
After the hike, however, especially if you are not a seasoned hiker, we would recommend staying in a nearby town like Tūrangi to avoid a long drive with tired legs. If you are inexperienced, completely new to hiking, or simply want to know if Tongariro is worth it, we recommend reading our guide on our experience hiking the Tongariro with almost no prior experience.
May you have a great vacation,
Travel Tegami