The Best Adventures to have in Taupō, North Island, New Zealand
Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 05:39 am
Taupō, right in the center of the North Island, is famous for its Lake Taupō, volcanic landscapes, adventure sports, and natural hot springs. It’s a favorite for kiwis and travelers alike. My guide covers the best things to do in Taupō for adventure, relaxation, and fun – especially for the outdoor and nature lovers like me!
First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels,and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
Plan for your trip
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. And here in New Zealand, I always check Bookme as it has good discounts on many attractions. Three of the top activities in Taupo are:
- Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience
- Māori Rock Carvings Kayaking Tour
- Tandem Skydive Experience
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And now for my top 10 things to do in Taupo – in no particular order!
1. See the spectacular Huka Falls
The Huka Falls are just outside of Taupo and are a real must-see. 220,000 liters of water per second pass through a very narrow chute and then thunder over the falls into the Waikato River. Make sure you take the short walk across the bridge to the actual waterfall, and watch the torrent of water from different angles.
And a really great angle to see the falls from is either a jet boat ride, or a helicopter flight!
If you don’t have a car, there is a quite scenic 6 km return (about 1.5–3 hours) Spa Park to Huka Falls track that takes you to the falls.
The local BusIt service (Line 38) has a stop on Huka Falls Road, but runs only once a day from Tongariro St in Taupo. If you timed it to take the bus there, you can walk back.
2. Get out on Lake Taupo
Swim, sail, paddle or take a boat ride – just do get out on the lake! Its easy to get to the waters edge for a swim, and also easy to hire a stand up paddleboard and enjoy it that way.
For a bit more of an adventure you can try the Parasailing Experience over Lake Taupō! It is a load of fun! Not really on the water but above it – although you might get dipped!
A highly rated option that I also enjoyed, where you will get away from the crowds and explore some waterfalls around the lake as well as the lake itself is this Western Bays Sightseeing Tour from Kinloch. Ian is a great host and guide!
A popular thing to do to is to go and see the Māori Rock Carvings on a cliffside in the lake. These are not ancient but are impressive. The 14-meter-high carvings were created between 1976 and 1980 by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell and four assistants. The carvings depict the navigator Ngatoroirangi and they are only accessible from the water.
There are a few options to get to the carvings – a lovely cruise on the lake on the Ernest Kemp – Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise, or you could sail there on a catamaran, or a monohull – your choice!
Alternatively you can get more active and go on a Māori Rock Carvings Kayaking Tour.
3. Soak in the thermal waters at Wairakei
My absolute favorite commercial hot pools in the North Island, and probably in all of New Zealand, are here at the Wairakei Terraces – Thermal Hot Pools.
It’s adults only (14 years and up) and it has a good range of temperatures in the various pools which suit everyone’s preferences. (Ok I admit that I also love the hot pools in the Bay of Islands too.)
I do recommend taking the option to walk around the beautiful white thermal terraces before your swim. You will see Māori lifestyle artefacts and there are good info boards as well as the steaming pools and the terraces. Its not expensive and I think its worth it!
4. Try one of the thrill seekers jumping adventures – sky diving, bungy jump, or the big swing…..
Yes, you can get your adrenaline rush in Taupo – it is a favorite spot for these three so worth waiting to get to Taupo for!
First up is the Tandem Skydive Experience – a feel the fear and do it anyway kind of thing! You an select to jump from 12,000, 15,000, or 16,500 feet with 45, 60 or 70 seconds in free fall before the parachute float back to earth!
Then there is AJ Hackett’s Taupō Bungy Jump! Take a giant 47-meter leap off New Zealand’s highest water-touch bungy jump platform – sitting right over the Waikato River. You can bungy solo or tandem with a mate!
Finally, if those two don’t appeal, there is the Taupō Swing – which is NZ’s Only Cliff-Face Drop. You can combine it with a bungy jump if you want to – they go from the same place!
Still on my list to do…..me and jumping don’t go together! The pic is my daughter!
5. Go hiking in the volcanic terrain
Head out for a days hiking on the famous Tongariro Crossing. Take this convenient shuttle that will drop you at one end and pick you up at the other! The emerald lakes and stunning volcanoes are waiting for you! There will be others walking – plenty of them, but it is popular for a reason!
I love the views you get on this walk. You can use the AllTrails map / guide for the walk, although it is easy to follow as long as the weather is fine!
6. And take a shorter hike for views over the lake on the Mount Tauhara Summit Track
The Mount Tauhara track is only 6.6 km (2-3 hours) return, and you get great views over the town and the lake. Worth it if you need a bit of exercise and like a good view! You start off in farmland for about 20 minutes before entering the forest. Then its a steady steep climb to the trig at 1,088 metres. Follow the path from the trig to an exposed rocky outcrop for the views of the Central Plateau. Its also a popular sunset walk!
Do wear good shoes and be prepared for a steep and often muddy track. Take water (and snacks). Go on a sunny day – not a very cloudy day like me or you will be disappointed with a lack of views – good exercise though! You get to the track from Mountain Road, about 3.5km down State Highway 5 just out of Taupo. If you don’t have a car you can taxi or uber (book ahead for uber as there are fewer drivers than in the cities.)
7. Enjoy finding the hot spots in the natural waters
In Taupo you can swim in natural hot water spots. The most popular is the Otumuheke Stream, although the area of warm water is not huge. But it is fun moving from warm to cold water and its just a nice environment.
The other place to have a warm swim is in Lake Taupo itself at Hot Water Beach. Note that this is a natural phenomenon and so the amount of hot water venting out at any one time can change – it may be warm to luke warm around these vents – and in some places very hot. Wear something like crocs on your feet in the lakeside spot.
8. Go kayaking or white water rafting!
The Hidden Lake kayak tour will take you on a trip to a small peaceful lake near Lake Taupo where you can kayak to see a sunken forest beneath the water and a hidden canyon.
You can of course also paddle out on Lake Taupo on a Māori Rock Carvings Kayaking Tour. And another easy option is to (float) kayak down the Waikato River.
White water rafting can be done from Turangi – at the other end of the lake from Taupo town. Try it out on a fun Grade 3 ride on the Tongariro River!
9. See some geothermal activity
You can walk around the terraces at the Wairakei Terraces – Thermal Hot Pools, as mentioned above. There is also the Craters of the Moon Geothermal Park with a 45 min walk around steaming vents and bubbling mud. To be honest I don’t really recommend this if you are going to any of the geothermal areas nearer to Rotorua, e.g. the closest one to Taupo which is the impressive Orakei Korako Geothermal Park. But decide for yourself as many people really enjoy it!
10. After all that activity – enjoy a coffee at the fun L’Arté Cafe & Gallery
I don’t usually talk about food and cafes, but L’Arté Cafe & Gallery is a fun one near Taupo township and worth a visit if you have a car (or you can taxi or uber there). Browse the garden and art gallery as well as have a coffee and yummy goodies! (That’s my mum below -= I made her pose!!)
Taupō Mini Itinerary (2 or 3 days)
- Day 1: Huka Falls from above and below on a jet boat ride, Craters of the Moon if you are visiting that – or Orakei Korako, Wairakei thermal pools in the evening.
- Day 2: Adventure activity – bungy, parasail, big swing, skydive, white water rafting, kayaking. Then get out on the lake on a boat or kayak and visit the Māori carvings. Try one of the natural thermal spots. Sunset at the lake shore.
- Day 3: Tongariro National Park day trip – the Tongariro Crossing, or climb Mount Tauhara and have another adventure activity!
Taupō – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many days should I spend in Taupō?
A: If you have 2–3 days you will have time to see the Huka Falls and enjoy the geothermal waters, as well as enjoy getting out on the lake. If you want some more adventure activities, stay another day!
Q: When is the best time to visit Taupō?
A: Summer (December–March) for outdoor activities; winter (June–August) for beautiful vistas and the thermal pools.
Q: Can you visit Huka Falls without a car?
A: Yes, you can get there by walking the scenic 6 km (about 1.5–3 hours return) Spa Thermal Park track, or by taking a taxi (8 min) or the limited BusIt service.
Q: Is Taupō good for families?
A: Yes, Taupō has plenty of family-friendly walks, swimming, and hot springs. It is a popular holiday spot for kiwi families!
Where to Stay in Taupo
Book a place to stay with booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both. These are my suggestions:
High end – Lake Taupo Lodge or The Flying Trout Boutique Lodge
Mid Range – The Retreat or Baycrest Thermal Lodge (try the studio with thermal pool)
Budget – Acacia Lake View Motel, or, Seventy-Four on Ramsay, or a private room at Finlay Jacks Backpackers
Backpacker – Adventure Taupo Hostel or Finlay Jacks Backpackers (both good from my experience)
Family or group – book a whole house for example, Gather Taupo or this Five-bed House
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