Turangi - North Island, New Zealand

Turangi, located 50 kms to the south of Taupo, is a town that sprung up primarily due to the construction of the Tongariro Power Scheme in the 1960s. Just 4 kms to the north of Turangi is Lake Taupo. State Highway 1 runs between the town and its prize, the rafting and fishing waters of the Tongariro River.

Being in close vicinity to Tongariro National Park, Turangi is very popular with trout fishing enthusiasts. It has become a major base for the Tongariro Crossing.

The Visitor Centre is on Ngawaka Place where buses drop off visitors. There are low cost local bus services daily from Taupo to Turangi. There is a wealth of local information at the visitor centre. You can buy a Taupo fishing licence here. There is a small Department of Conservation (DOC) office on Turanga Place.

Turangi Accommodation

Turangi is blessed with decent accommodation choices because of the skiers, anglers and trampers bound for Tongariro National Park. There is a variety of budget accommodation in the town centre.

The more upmarket lodges and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) are on the Tongariro riverfront to the east of the town. The eating choices in Turangi are limited with the best eating places attached to the lodges.

Turangi Activities

To enjoy the activities that Turangi has to offer, you need a rental vehicle. Alternatively, you can depend on the commercial operators to pick you up and drop you off. Otherwise the Tongariro shuttles run services on the popular activity laden routes.

Rafting on the Tongariro River is offered by four major commercial operators throughout the year. The Tongariro River course can be traversed by two hour rides in river rafts, sit-in kayaks and a combination of fishing and rafting.

The whitewater rafting trips are truly magnificent. Some operators allow you to paddle by yourself under the gaze of an experienced guide. Another operator combines mountain biking and rafting. The sit-in kayaking in the grade II rapids of Tongariro River is a lot of fun.

The visitor centre can help you snare the best trout available in the Tongariro waters by hooking you up with good fishing guides, and the price includes a couple of hours travel by boat and the gear.

You can also get your fishing licence here. Fishing gear can be hired at Motuoapa Marina. River fishing is a year round activity though the breeding season is from April to October.

LooknbookNZ can arrange your Turangi National Park accommodation and Turangi National Park activities bookings giving you and your family amazing fishing and rafting experiences which you will cherish for the rest of your life.