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    Taupō

    New Zealand

    Taupō

    Town

    Taupō is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake. The lake fills a caldera formed by massive volcanic eruptions; the last major eruption occurred around 232 AD.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. New Zealand
    7. Central North Island
    9. Taupō
    Taupō is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake. The lake fills a caldera formed by massive volcanic eruptions; the last major eruption occurred around 232 AD.The town is a base for water sports, trout fishing, skydiving, and excursions to Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon, and Tongariro National Park, whose volcanoes you can see from the shore on clear days.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Huka Falls

    1Huka Falls

    Here, the Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge, plunging as a turquoise waterfall into a basin. A footbridge crosses the gorge; paths link the falls to Taupō.
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    Craters of the Moon
    Attraction

    2Craters of the Moon

    Geothermal field north of Taupō, featuring steaming craters and fumaroles. A circuit of boardwalks and gravel paths winds through the site; always stay on the marked paths.
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    Aratiatia Rapids
    Attraction

    3Aratiatia Rapids

    The rocky gorge of the Waikato River below a dam. At fixed times, several times daily, the gates are opened, and the dry riverbed fills with rapids; viewpoints overlook the gorge.
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    Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings
    Attraction

    4Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings

    Large rock carving on Mine Bay's cliff face, Lake Taupō, depicting navigator Ngātoroirangi. Accessible only by water, on a boat or kayak tour from Taupō.
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    Spa Thermal Park
    Park

    5Spa Thermal Park

    Park on the Waikato River where a hot stream flows into the river, forming natural bathing pools, free admission. From the park, the riverside path leads downstream to the Huka Falls. Do not put your head under water.
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    Taupō Museum and Art Gallery
    Museum

    6Taupō Museum and Art Gallery

    Small museum with gallery in Story Place downtown, featuring exhibitions on the history and art of the region around Lake Taupō.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    The Bistro

    Restaurant on Tamamutu Street in central Taupō.
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    2

    Master of India

    Indian restaurant on Ruapehu Street in the centre.
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    3

    Indian Affair Restobar

    Indian restaurant with bar on Ruapehu Street in the center.
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    4

    Pauly's Diner

    Diner on Pāora Hapi Street in central Taupō.
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    Food and Drink

    Forelle

    Lake Taupō is renowned for its rainbow and brown trout. Wild trout cannot be sold in New Zealand; those wishing to fish require a specific license for the Taupō fishing district.

    Kūmara

    You'll find the Māori sweet potato as fries, purée, or oven-roasted on many menus.

    Mānuka Honey

    Rich honey from the nectar of the Mānuka flower, a popular souvenir.

    Flat White

    Espresso with finely frothed milk, the breakfast standard in waterfront cafés.

    Land of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa

    Lake Taupō and its surroundings are the ancestral lands of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The full Māori name for the lake, Taupō-nui-a-Tia, honours the explorer Tia. A visible sign of their culture is the rock carvings in Mine Bay, depicting the navigator Ngātoroirangi.The town itself originated in the 19th century as an army post and grew with tourism focused on fishing and thermal springs. The Taupō Museum showcases the region's history and art.

    Traveling in Taupo

    The town centre and waterfront can be explored on foot. Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon are easily accessible by bike or on foot via the Waikato River riverside path. For Aratiatia, Wairakei, and trips around the lake, you'll need a car.Long-distance buses stop in the town centre, and for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, seasonal shuttles depart from Taupō; these must be booked in advance.

    Accommodations in Taupō

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    Nearby

    Whakarewarewa (Redwood Forest Area)

    Whakarewarewa (Redwood Forest Area)

    South of Rotorua, two very different worlds lie directly next to each other: the steaming geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa with Te Puia and the inhabited Māori village, and the Whakarewarewa Forest with its tall Californian coastal redwoods.In the forest, you can hike short and long trails, go mountain biking, or cross the suspension bridges of the Redwoods Treewalk. Early morning is the quietest time here.
    Rotorua

    Rotorua

    Rotorua smells of sulfur, and that's part of the experience: The city on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua lies in the middle of a geothermal area. Between pavements and front gardens, steam rises from the ground; in Te Puia, the Pōhutu Geyser erupts; and in Kuirau Park, mud pools bubble without an entrance fee.Rotorua is also the center of the Te Arawa and one of the best places in New Zealand to experience Māori culture, whether in the living village of Whakarewarewa, in lakeside Ohinemutu, or at a cultural evening with Hāngī.
    Central North Island

    Central North Island

    The Central North Island is New Zealand's volcanic country. Between Rotorua, Lake Taupō, and Tongariro National Park, the ground steams, mud pools bubble, and geysers erupt into the air. Also in the west are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.Here you'll find hiking trails over volcanic craters, thermal baths, lakes for fishing and paddling, as well as places where Māori culture, especially that of the Te Arawa in Rotorua, is visible in everyday life.
    Government Gardens

    Government Gardens

    The Government Gardens are Rotorua's largest city park, located directly on the shore of Lake Rotorua. Its centerpiece is the half-timbered building of the old Bath House, which houses the Rotorua Museum. Surrounding it, you'll find lawns, rose gardens, bowling and croquet greens, and steaming earth in several spots.The Ngāti Whakaue provided the land in the 19th century for the establishment of a health resort. Right next door are the Polynesian Spa and the lakeside path to Sulphur Point.
    Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

    Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

    Ohinemutu is an inhabited Māori village on the northern edge of Rotorua's city centre, directly on the lakeshore. Families of the Ngāti Whakaue live here, and steam rises from the ground between the houses.Highlights include the carved meeting house Tamatekapua and the Anglican St. Faith's Church, whose interior is adorned with Māori carvings and woven artworks. Please remember you are visiting a residential community here.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
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