Taupo is a town located on Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, and has become a tourism hub for adventure activity and geothermal exploration. It is located among some interesting geothermal formations on the North Island of New Zealand. More famously, it is often used as the place people stay when they want to hike one of the most popular day hikes of New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing.
Day 1: Exploring Within Taupo
Taupo is located on a lake but more importantly, it is within the geothermal zone of Taupo Volcano, a large volcanic complex beneath this area. It is much more than just a mountain, and while it has not erupted in 1800 years, its continued activity is what makes this region so unique.
Lake Taupo + Māori Rock Carvings
To start your time in the Taupo area, go on a boat cruise on Lake Taupo to explore the landscape, see different mountain peaks and go to the famous Ngātoroirangi Maori Carving that can only be seen by boat. Artistically, it is beautiful and was completed in 1980 by a local artist as a tribute to his grandfather and the local Maori community. Because the carving can only be seen from the water, there are a few local cruise companies that do scenic tours of the lake. For those who are looking for more adventure, you can also consider jet boat tours (although we recommend jet boating in Queenstown) that go by the site or kayak tours that will take you close to the carving.
We recommend using Chris Jolly Outdoors, who provide tours throughout the day to see the Maori rock carving and explore the landscape of the lake. They also have other local experiences as well including fly fishing (even in the back country via helicopter), rafting, and hiking, hunting, or biking tours.
Thermal Exploration within Taupo
If you want to experience some of the heat that comes from being above a thermal volcanic source, there are a few spots to check out within Taupo itself. Along the lakefront, head to Hot Water Beach. Here, as you dig into the sand, you will feel the hot water coming to the surface and it will get very hot very quickly. The water is coming up from underground here so unfortunately, the water in the lake is not as warm as the sand. However, it is a fun phenomenon to experience and a great place to hang out while keeping your feet warm as they are buried in the sand.
You can also make your way to the Spa Thermal Park, a free reserve located just outside of Taupo’s center where you can make your way to the Otumuheke Stream, a place where natural hot geothermal water mixes with the cold river water to create comfortable pools. You can leave your things on the built up boardwalk area along the river. They also provide restrooms and changing rooms if you are not in your bathing suit yet.
Taupo’s Lakefront Reserve
The Taupo Lakefront Reserve is a peaceful area along the lake and near the commercial center of the town. Here you can find the Love Taupo sign along with other sculptures and water features in the park that celebrate the local Māori culture and heritage. It is worth checking out Te Atea, artwork by a master carver with important Māori meaning. Down the street is arguably the coolest McDonald’s we’ve ever seen (it’s written on the sign in front of the McDonald’s so it must be true!), with a decommissioned plane integrated into the design of the store.
Day 2: The Tongariro Crossing
The Tongariro Crossing is the main reason people come to Taupo. The start of the crossing itself is an hour away from Taupo, making it very convenient. For those who do not want to drive to the start of the trail, you can take a tour service from Taupo. The issue with this option is that you will be restricted on the amount of time that you have to do the crossing itself because the tour has specific departure times.
Parking and Shuttle Service for the Tongariro Crossing
What You Need Prior to the Hike
- Reserve your shuttle service (includes parking at the Ketetahi Park and Ride)
- Register for the hike
- Download the hike on AllTrails so you can track your hike
The Tongariro Crossing Hike
The Tongariro Crossing takes about 7 hours and covers 13 miles (21 kilometers). It is a challenging hike that goes up and over an impressive volcanic landscape. The terrain is ever changing and keeps the entire walk interesting. However, bring the appropriate amount of water, food, sun protection, and layers to make sure that you are protected for the duration of the hike. The end of the hike can feel quite long, winding through the forest, and you will have to walk an additional half a mile after the end of the trail to get to the carpark where you left your car. And if you are lucky, there will be a “Real Fruit Ice Cream” stand waiting for you, which is a popular dessert in New Zealand where frozen fruit is blended in ice cream in a soft-serve treat, often found in stands around the country.
On your way back to Taupo, consider stopping at Hare & Copper Eatery for some contemporary food after the hike. You can also visit Two Mile Bay Sailing Club along the shoreline of Taupo lake for beautiful sunset drinks and food.
Day 3: A Taupo Recovery Day
After doing the Tongariro Crossing, you will need a well-deserved day of rest and recovery. In the Taupo area, there are a few different artisanal places that are worth checking out to take in some of the local culture and industry.
You can start your day by visiting the Huka Falls near the Spa Thermal Park. If you didn’t go here on your first day, this is now your chance to check it out and get into some thermal water for free. Hookah Falls is a nice place to walk around and stretch your legs after that long hike.
Then, make your way to Aratiatia Rapids, a dam that gets regularly opened and floods the river below. For the Hobbit fans, the flooding was used to film the barrel escape scene where empty barrels were filmed going down the river after the dam opened up.
After, you can check out a few different artisanal shops. Huka Honey Hive is a local honey producer and they sell a variety of honey from all over the country. You can sample different honeys to see how flower varieties in different regions change the flavor of the honey. You can also look into Lava Glass, a local glassblowing studio. They have a shop at the front of their facility where they sell different glassblown art and a small cafe within where you can enjoy the local artwork.
Finally, make your way to the Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa, a private thermal hot pool and health spa. Their pools are filled directly from local geothermal water that are at varying temperatures to make sure that there is a pool for anyone. You can also reserve a massage here or grab a coffee at the local cafe.
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave
For the second half of your day, head to Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave. The self-guided experience starts with a boat ride across the river to the thermal park. Here, there are paths around the park that take you to different geothermal formations. While there are boardwalks throughout the park that indicate the pathways around, it is up to you to stay on those boardwalks to avoid injury. This thermal park is one of the lesser-visited geothermal parks in the Taupo and Rotorua area so you will have the opportunity to see pools and geysers without many people around. It feels raw and untouched and is truly a beautiful marvel.
Read More About the Blueprint Travelers' Personal Experience in Taupo
Update 60: Getting to know Hawke’s Bay and Taupō Before the Tongariro Crossing
We visited Napier, Hawke’s Bay Wine Region, and Taupo in New Zealand prior to completing the incredible Tongariro Crossing.
