Taupo And Surrounds - North Island, New Zealand

Around Taupo, in fact directly north of Taupo, there are a fantastic collection of natural wonders within minutes of each other. You can see boiling mud, hissing steam and the pristine blue waters of the Waikato River creating churning rapids.

The most popular destinations are the Huka Falls, Aratiatia Rapids and the Craters of the Moon geothermal area. If you go 40 kms north of Taupo, you will find a second thermal park, the Orakei Korako.

Wairakei Park to the north of Taupo is where the majority of activities and action is concentrated. It can be accessed via the Huka Falls Rd, turning off SH1.

Taupo and Surrounds Activities

The first port of call is the magnificent Huka Falls, created by the awesome power of the Waikato River funneling into a narrow chasm and plunging over a ten metre shelf into a wild turbulent chaotic mass of whirlpools, jettisoning 400 tonnes of water per second.

It is a very powerful sight to behold. A footbridge is conveniently located to provide the most spectacular view of this powerful creation of nature.

Proceeding one kilometre north from Huka Falls you will spot the Honey Hive offering delicious varieties of honey including the famous manuka honey. Close by is the Volcanic Activity Centre, a collection of everything tectonic with striking photos, interactive displays and an earthquake simulator.

Continuing on, the Wairakei geothermal power station is located. The excess heat generated by the station is diverted into large open ponds where prawns are bred on the Prawn Farm. It offers an interesting 'Day in the Life of a Prawn' tour.

The tranquility of the place is broken occasionally by the Huka Jet boat roaring down the river between Huka Falls and Aratiatia Dam. The boats virtually scrape the rock faces as they spin 360 degrees spraying water everywhere.

The Wairakei International Golf Course is one of New Zealand's finest golf courses located at the junction of the Huka Falls loop road and State Highway 1 (SH1).

To its south, Karapiti Rd runs west to the Craters of the Moon, a super geothermal area that was created in the 1950s after the massive change in underground dynamics accompanying the construction of the Wairakei Thermal Plant.

Here you find vigorous steam pouring out of huge rumbling pits with the fragrance of sulphur heavy in the air (bad egg smell!). This has to be visited through the Wairakei Geothermal Visitor Centre, 3 kms north on SH1.

The Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley is Taupo's original thermal region and is best visited in the evening as part of the Maori cultural experience. This tour features a traditional Maori challenge and a welcome, followed by a guided tour of the site which includes explanation of Maori beliefs and history, a visit to the pools, a functioning model village and carvings, and finishes with a concert and a hangi (a meal steamed underground in the traditional Maori way).

About 2 kilometres downstream from the Wairakei power station is the Aratiatia Dam which is the source of the Aratitatia Rapids. The rapids are empty most of the time except during 3 or 4 thirty minute sessions each day when the waters of the surging Waikato River are released from the dam and the rapids are converted into a foaming torrent of waterfalls and waves.

About 3 kilometres beyond the Aratiatia Dam, Rapids Jet operates New Zealand's best whitewater rafting adventure where you course through pulsating rapids becoming airborne at times. All you have to do is hang on tight and be prepared for a soaking.

There is the trip to Rock 'n' Ropes, a maze of high ropes and wires on SH5 16 kms north of Taupo. The site houses the Taupo Adventure Park with an animal park, mini golf, maze and a concrete track for an amazing go-kart riding experience.

The SH5 turns southwest onto the Taupo Napier Road running through rugged country. There is the interesting Taupo Napier Heritage Trail and the Opepe Historic Reserve.

After a further 11 kilometres, you reach the Kaimanawa Forest Park, a favourite spot for deer hunters and anglers. You can choose to go on the remote Te Iringa-Oamaru Circuit.

About 25 kilometres southeast of the Clement Mills Road, the Waipunga River, an offshoot of the Mohaka River, plummets 30 metres over the Waipunga Falls and goes onto the Waipunga Gorge dotted with picnic sites which become nighttime campsites.

The highway descends to the Mohaka River where you have scenic rafting courses. There are horse treks, scenic helicopter flights and guided fishing expeditions available.

LooknbookNZ can arrange your Taupo and surrounds accommodation and Taupo and surrounds activities bookings surrounding the town of Taupo and let you and your family/friends have a wonderful holiday amidst the most natural wonders that Aotearoa can offer.