The heart of Aotearoa New Zealand’s North Island, the Taupō region is a place of extraordinary natural beauty – a vast, sparkling lake, trout-filled rivers, ancient forests, steaming geothermal zones and towering snow-blanketed mountains. With welcoming resort towns, lakeside villages and world-class luxury lodges to stay in, adventure, discovery and wonder lie just outside every door.
The crystal-clear freshwater of Lake Taupo draws visitors to the town’s boutique and luxury lodges, lakeside hotels, motels and guest accommodation year-round, to swim and sunbathe, kayak, fish, enjoy family activities or soak up the atmosphere in the town’s many lakeside restaurants and bars.
In Taupo town centre, the streets are lined with boutique shops, cafes, craft galleries, art sculptures, public spaces and one of the country’s best children’s playgrounds. Further out, there are national and forest parks, natural hot springs, and adventure activity bases, including whitewater rafting, sky-diving and bungy-jumping.
Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary is located 10 minutes’ drive north of Taupo, set in the Wairakei Tourist Park. The park boasts the popular and well-known natural features of Craters of the Moon and Huka Falls. New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato, runs through it. Clustered around many natural attractions are tourism ventures and businesses that can keep visitors busy, amused and relaxed for days.