Taihape - North Island, New Zealand

Taihape is the largest farming service town in the Rangitikei District in close proximity to the famous Rangitikiei River.

Taihape Activities

Taihape serves as an excellent base for some superb whitewater rafting courses along the Rangitikei River, bungy jumping and beautiful gardens. Taihape is also nicknamed 'the Gumboot City'.

Taihape offers some excellent eating options in the form of a couple of modern cafes. There is limited accommodation in a homestay, backpackers and a motel. There is a basic Information Centre on Hautapu St.

The hilly country to the east of Taihape offers one of New Zealand's most exhilarating whitewater rafting trips and the North Island's highest bungy jump. Rangitikei River has some hair raising rapid rides. The Grade V gorge section is one of the toughest sections for white water rafting in New Zealand.

There are ten major rapids packed into the two to three hour run. The trips along this gorge have operators guiding the rafts. Newcomers are advised to try their skills on less demanding rapids initially before advancing to this level.

If water levels are low, the rafts are replaced by self paddling one person inflatable kayaks. There are operators offering scenic rafting trips down the serene Grade 2 course. Some of the other activities are horse trekking and a 9 hole pitch and putt.

Seven kilometres south of Taihape, off the SH1 at Uhutu, if you go a further 15 kilometres east is the highest bungy jump in North Island at 80 metres.

If you are a speed junkie and love hurtling down canyons, then the Flying Fox adventure is the ultimate experience where you get to rocket down the Mokai Canyon strapped in a cocoon and hurtle towards the Rangitikei River in a flying fox.

LooknbookNZ can take care your Taihape accommodation and Taihape activities bookings allowing you and your family/friends to soak in the adrenaline pumping adventure activities that the Rangitikei River has to offer.