Taupō, New Zealand

Taupō is a picturesque town set along the shores of Lake Taupō on New Zealand’s North Island. The region is encompasses volcanic landscapes, geothermal parks and scenic waterfalls. It’s a hub for outdoor activities and adventures like white water rafting, sailing and volcano hikes. Taupō is deeply intertwined with Māori culture with murals, monuments and carvings visible throughout the town.

See the Sights

Lake Taupō. A massive volcanic crater lake and the largest lake in New Zealand. Scenic walking and biking paths follow its waterfront. Floating pumice stones and aquatic birds line its shores. Views of distant volcanos and their snow covered peaks can be seen across the lake on a clear day.

Māori Rock Carvings. A series of modern Māori rock carvings engraved onto the face of a lakeside cliff. The primary carving depicts the tattooed face of a Māori being. It’s flanked by numerous smaller carvings including a lizard, mermaid and dragon. The carvings are only viewable from the lake. We sailed across the scenic Lake Taupō on a vintage sailboat to see them up close. Book with Sail Barbary for a relaxing and enjoyable time.

Te Atea Tapuaeharuru. A monument representing Māori ancestry and jurisdiction of Lake Taupō. At its center is an ornate pillar carved from an 1,800 year old Totara tree. The pillar is adorned with designs of Māori guardians and marine life. Surrounding it are 13 patterned columns symbolic of the rivers flowing into the lake. Press a button on each of their sides to activate a cascading water feature.

Huka Falls. A narrow channel along the Waikato River with extremely turbulent rapids and a ferocious waterfall. The current churns up brilliant aquamarine hues and bubbling white waters. It’s viewable from a bridge and riverside pathway.

Otumuheke Stream. A narrow stream fed by a hot spring. It flows into the Waikato River creating a tepid pool along its banks. It was too cold for us but others enjoyed.

Mount Tauhara. A dormant volcano near the shores of Lake Taupō with a summitable peak. A hiking trail leads steadily uphill through farmland and shaded forest home to song birds and endemic ferns. It opens at a clearing near the summit and continues along the ridge through dense shrubs to a rocky outcrop. The mountaintop offers panoramic views of its forested slopes, grassy farmland, the vast lake and distant snow covered volcanos.

Good to Know. Strong gusts can make it extremely windy at the summit. It takes about an hour to reach from the parking lot. Use this map pin for parking.

Craters of the Moon. A geothermal park with dozens of steaming craters, mud pools and blow holes. Boardwalks lead through the volcanic scrubland and low laying manuka trees as steam billows from the ground. It’s a leisurely trek taking about an hour.

Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa. A geothermal spa with terraced hot pools fed by a manmade geyser. The mineral rich waters offer a therapeutic way to relax after a day of hiking. The Terrace Walk includes views of the geyser, silica terraces, native flora and reproductions of a Māori Village. Signs share information about Māori stories and culture.

Taupō Town Center. A small but lively neighborhood of Taupō with breweries, restaurants, bakeries, clothing shops, cute boutiques and outdoor outfitters. Side alleys are painted with colorful murals. Its waterfront has scenic views of the lake.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongario Alpine Crossing is a scenic day hike through an active volcanic landscape. The Northern Circuit leads 20.2km past hardened lava flows, dramatic volcanos, craters, thermal vents, blue lagoons and waterfalls.

The Timber Trail. A scenic uphill trail leading several kilometers through rugged moorlands covered in short bushes, dry grasses and pale green mosses. The landscape transitions into a barren desert with hardened lava flows, black sand and snowy crevices. The trail offers closeup views of Mt Ngauruhoe, aka Mt Doom.

Soda Springs. A small waterfall cascading over algae covered lava rock. It’s reachable from an offshoot of The Timber Trail.

Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom). A conical shaped strata volcano and one of the most iconic features of the Tongariro Crossing. Its slopes are covered in craggily black lava rock from past eruptions while its crater still steam still faintly dunes from its crater. The volcano is nicknamed Mt Doom after its appearance in Lord of the Rings.

South Crater. A vast volcanic crater with imposing views of Mt Ngauruhoe. The timber trail leads across its flat sandy basin to a steep ridge and The Red Crater.

The Red Crater. A dramatic volcanic crater marking the highest point of the Tongariro Crossing. The crater is scorched black and colored deep rusty red around the point where lava previously erupted. The crater is still highly active. Rippled air and steam rises from the super heated ground within.

Emerald Lakes. A series of brightly colored turquoise lagoons surrounded by barren volcanic landscape and steaming vents. They’re viewable from the Red Crater and reachable vis a steep gravel trail.

Blue Lake. A large crater with a deep blue lake filling its basin. It’s the perfect spot to stop for a scenic picnic lunch before making the descent.

Central Crater. A large crater surrounded by several volcanic features including The Red Crater, Mt Tongariro, Emerald Lake and Blue Lake. A hardened lava flow from past eruptions spills into the basin of the crater.

Mt Tongariro. A blackened lava plateau flanked by craggily slopes and white snow filled crevices.

Ketetahi Track. A downhill trail meandering several kilometers past colorful shrubs, pine trees and subtropical forest. It offers views of lakes, steaming craters and small waterfalls.

Te Maari Crater. A still steaming volcanic crater on the Ketetahi Track. Hardened lava flows and ballistic craters formed by ejected rocks are visible from its 2012 eruption.

Getting Here. Drive to and park at the Tongariro Crossing Car Park. Book a shuttle to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trail head to begin the hike. The 20.2km trail ends back at the car park. Book the shuttle with Backyard Tours on Viator.

Tips for Hiking The Tongariro Alpine Crossing:

Check weather before hiking
Bring 2 liters of water per person
Pack snacks and a lunch for the trail
Wear warm removable layers
Hiking poles are helpful for the downhill
Wear sunblock and sunglasses
Toilets are available every several kilometers
Bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer

Taranaki Falls. A 20m tall waterfall streaming from a narrow crevice into the rocky pool below. The waterfall is accessible midway along a 6km loop trail. The trail passes through scrubland with scenic views of Mount Ruapehu’s snow capped summit and Mt Ngauruhoe’s conical profile.

Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s Waterfall). A small but picturesque waterfall flowing over a diagonal cliff into a turquoise river pool. The location was used to film Gollum’s fishing scene in Lord of the Rings. It’s possible to swim here however the water is frigid.

Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park

A geothermal park with a range of boiling geysers, bubbling streams, colorful mineral flows, mud pools and a rare thermal cave. Wooden boardwalks lead between the geothermal features and through the forested hillside past manuka trees, bushy ferns and moss covered rocks. Take a boat across the Waikato River from the welcome center to access the park.

The Rainbow Terrace. A geothermal feature with streaming flows of boiling water and mineral rich sediment. Colorful patterns paint the earth in shades of orange, red, brown and white.

The Devil’s Throat. A small red cave spewing boiling water and steam towards the Rainbow Terrace.

Rautapu Cave. One of only two geothermal caves in the world. Its large rocky opening exposes a bubbling emerald pool at its base and steaming vents along its sides.

Mud Pools. A bubbling series of clay pools with sections of turquoise blue water.

Tongariro River Rafting

White water rafting is an exhilarating way to enjoy New Zealand’s landscapes and wildlife! We paddled down the Tongariro River through 60 grade 3 rapids with Tongariro River Rafting. The river offers a continuous roller coaster of white water rapids, technical challenges and leisurely cascades. The scenic adventure passes overgrown and sheer rock cliffs, black sand beaches and smooth volcanic boulders. Trout swam beneath the raft while aquatic birds floated by. A brief stop afforded us an opportunity to jump from a small cliff into the frigid water. The water is so fresh that we could drink directly from the stream.

Māori & Kiwi Cuisine

New Zealand Pies. Personal sized pies with a flaky crust and filled with a range of savory ingredients like vegetables, meats and seafoods are common across New Zealand. They’re often served at cafes and fast food restaurants.

Ika Mata. Raw fish marinated in coconut cream with tomatoes and scallions.

Paua. A type of sea snail native to the waters of New Zealand. It’s served raw, sautéed, in soups and fritters.

Fish & Chips. A classic pairing of fried fish and potatoes. It’s common among current and former British territories.

Kumara. A yellow potato with a slightly sweet flavor and starchy texture. It’s often served as fried with fish and chips.

Manuka Tea. A herbal black tea with a pine forward flavor. It’s made from the leaves of a bushy evergreen tree.

Manuka Honey. Bush honey, famed for its antibiotic properties, made by bees that pollinate the manuka trees.

Toasties. Buttered and griddled white bread sandwiches often served at breakfast.

Places to Eat & Drink

Crafty Trout Brewery. A cozy brewery in the center of Taupō with a range of traditional and flavored brews. Order a paddle of 9 to share and try almost everything of tap.

Kona Kones. An ice cream shop with a range of classic and creative flavors. Try the boysenberry and coconut marshmallow.

Paetiki Bakery Cafe. A self serve cafe stocked with dozens of fresh baked New Zealand pies and pastries. Try the vegetarian, smoked fish and paua pies.

Brumby’s Bakery. A bakery with fresh baked breads, sweets and New Zealand pies.

Where to Stay

Taupō Airbnb. A backyard tiny house with a comfy bedroom, fully equipped kitchen and outdoor patio. It’s located near Taupō’s city center and natural sights. Book here.

Location Specifics

Language. English is the most commonly spoken language in New Zealand. Māori is frequently written on street and road signs.

Cash vs Card. Credit card is accepted for virtually every payment. We did not need to use cash once.

Carry Your ID. When ordering alcohol, be prepared to show your passport to verify your age.

Rental Cars. We rented a car with Auto Union at the Auckland airport. The agency has affordable rates and hundreds of positive reviews.

Drive on the Left. Like many former British colonies, New Zealanders drive on the left side of the road.

Elsewhere on the North Island

There is so much to see on New Zealand’s North Island. We spent several days roadtripping between the lake towns of Rotorua and Taupō followed by a weekend in the metropolis of Auckland. We visited geothermal parks, hiked volcanic landscapes, white water rafted, tubed through glowworm caves, canopied in redwood forests and ate second breakfast at Hobbiton.

For Next Time…

Visit the South Island. Seeing the snow covered mountains of the South Island from our airplane window left us with major sense of fomo. When we return, we plan to spend at least two weeks exploring the South Island.

Fiordland National Park. A glacier carved fjord flanked by forested mountains and rugged mountains.
Lake Tekapo. A bright blue lake surrounded by scenic views snow covered mountains and springtime blooms of lupin flowers.
Tasman Glacier. A glacier with a turquoise lagoon and floating icebergs at its leading edge.

Taupō, New Zealand