Taupo, Walks & Parks

  • Taupo - Craters of the Moon

    The Craters of the Moon is an area of thermal activity with boiling mud pools, steam vents and interesting plants which have adapted to thrive in the hot, steamy conditions. Boardwalks and pathways have been created to lead spectators safely through this area and the walk will take you around 60 minutes. There is an information office and shop on site.

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    • Location: Wairakei Tourist Park
  • Taupo - Lake Rotopounamu

    The Walking Places guide will take you along this easy track through stunning native forest which is home to abundant native bird life. The walk along a well formed track of about 5 kilometres, with a few hills, will take about two and a half hours. Lunch can be provided, along with pick up from your motel or hotel. See the website for further details.

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    • Location: Lake Rotoponamu
  • Taupo - Whakamoenga Walking Track

    A walk of around one hour will take you along an easy graded track from the Rangatira Point Track through the bush around to Whakamoenga Point. There are good views across the lake from many points along the walkway.

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    • Location: Rangatira Point
  • Taupo - Wairakei Thermal Valley

    Open from 8.30am to dusk during summer and 9am to 5pm during winter months, you may see birds, rabbits and other small animals on this walk. Boardwalks make the 30 minute walk easy and you'll view bubbling mud pools, steam holes and native bush. Small charge for the walk. Umbrellas available for extra hot or rainy days. There is also a café for refreshments after your walk.

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    • Location: 7 Km north of Lake Taupo, SH1
  • Taupo -Tongariro Domain

    Tongariro Domain has a playground which is suitable for children and there are picnic tables. The Domain’s toilets also offer a parents’ room with a changing table and microwave, sink and toys for the children. The Lion’s Club operates children's rides on the Domain on a small monorail, weather permitting, for $1 per person. Check with the Visitor Centre for train times during the winter months.

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    • Location: Tongariro Road, Lakefront, Taupo
  • Taupo - Lions Walk

    This magnificent walk was formed by the Taupo Lions Club and is an easy, level walk on a pathway bordering the lake edge. The walk follows the lakeshore south where kowhai trees provide shelter for local wildlife including ducks and swans.

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    • Location: Two Mile Bay Boat Ramp
  • Taupo - Huka Falls Walkway

    A visit to the spectacular Huka Falls, just outside Taupo, is a must! Huka is the maori word for 'foam' - very apt when you see this amazing set of thundering rapids, the largest, and final drop being 11 metres. Imagine kayaking down them - some more intrepid paddlers have done just that! You can cross the bridge over the falls and there's an easy walkway on the other side, so you can walk either back to Taupo, to the Aratiatia Dam or just for a short wander.

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  • Taupo -Tokaanu Thermal Area

    Just five minutes from Turangi is the village of Tokaanu. A short walk around the loop track on well formed paths and boardwalks allows you to see steaming hot mineral pools and bubbling mud pools. Take a picnic with you as there are areas for picnics and fishing. You can swim in the nearby Tokaanu Thermal pools at Mangaroa Street and there are often rainbow trout swimming in the cold Tokaanu stream which flows beside the thermal area. As with all thermal area, children should be supervised at all times.

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    • Location: Tokaanu Thermal Area, SH41, Lake Taupo
Map of New Zealand
  • Central Otago
  • Auckland
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin
  • Coromandel
  • Gisborne
  • Fiordland
  • Marlborough Sounds
  • Manawatu
  • Northland
  • North Canterbury
  • Queenstown
  • South Canterbury
  • Taranaki
  • Southland
  • Taupo
  • Wanaka
  • Waikato
  • Wellington
  • West Coast
  • Whangarei
  • Bay of Islands
  • Tauranga
  • Gisborne
  • Hamilton
  • Napier
  • Kapiti
  • Palmerston North
  • Whanganui
  • New Plymouth
  • Arrowtown
  • Te Anau
  • Akaroa
  • Ashburton
  • Hanmer
  • Kaikoura
  • Methven
  • Mt Cook
  • Oamaru
  • Tekapo
  • Timaru
  • Abel Tasman
  • Motueka
  • Nelson Lakes
  • Blenheim
  • Picton
  • Catlins
  • Gore
  • Stewart Island
  • Central Plateau
  • Invercargill
  • Cromwell
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Westport
  • Glenorchy

Our favourite destinations…

Auckland

New Zealand’s economic heart and biggest city is also an exciting family visitor destination, situated on a sunny harbour with city beaches just minutes away from the CBD. Orientate yourself by heading down to Viaduct Harbour, wandering the waterfront, checking out the super yachts or enjoying the waterfront restaurants. Nearby is the must-visit Sky Tower along with excellent and kid-friendly museums and tons of exciting activities!

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. Here you will find New Zealand's parliament buildings, including the 'Executive Wing', more well-known as 'The Beehive' due to its distinctive shape. Another icon to look out for is the Wellington Tram, which was the main means of public transport between 1878 and 1964.

Christchurch

With a population of around 400,000 Christchurch, in Canterbury, is the South Island ’s largest city, yet much of it has the feel of a small town. Perhaps that’s why it’s known as the Garden City but with the expansive Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens, Port Hills, River Avon and numerous beaches the city certainly has an open, relaxed feel that’s hard to beat.

Queenstown

With its well-deserved reputation as New Zealand’s activity adventure capital you’ll never run out of activities and things to do in Queenstown, but you may run out of time! With breathtaking scenery, activities and festivals, cafes and restaurants, skiing and snowboarding, shopping and wineries, this lakeside alpine resort rates as one of the world’s top vacation destinations for all ages and seasons.

Rotorua

Rotorua sits on the shore of Lake Rotorua, one of sixteen lakes in the area formed by hundreds of thousands of years of eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The area is renowned for its geothermal activity and top of any activity list is to see the bubbling mud pools that are around the region for yourself. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley offers a first hand insight into the devastation caused by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is a great place to discover steaming volcanic craters and bubbling, spitting  pools of mud!

Nelson and Golden Bay

The Nelson and Golden Bay regions, at the top of the South Island, boast enviable sunshine hours, glorious sandy beaches, safe swimming spots, lots of wildlife to look out for, and Abel Tasman National Park - an absolute must to explore, on foot, by kayak, your own craft or watertaxi.  Nelson is home to a vibrant arts and crafts community with a fabulous Saturday market, and is close to award-winning wineries and family-friendly bike tracks to take you around the coast.

Hawkes Bay

Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and is now known as NZ's Art Deco City.  The Art Deco influence has created a unique city – nowhere else can you see such a varied concentration of art deco style. With over 2,200 sunshine hours a year, Napier is a year-round holiday destination with countless activities to entertain the kids – there's days of entertainment on Marine Parade alone, plus numerous other family-friendly trips and activities.  Add to that the beaches, walks and flat cycle paths, outdoor cafes and entertainment, and you have a perfect holiday destination!

Northland

Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, fishing, historic gum fields, kauri forests – the Far North has it all. With subtropical temperatures, it's often known as ‘the Winterless north', with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Gateway to the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a pretty, lively beachside town and a perfect base for your family holiday. It’s your start point for Bay of Island adventures including day cruises, sailing, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and reef or wreck diving.