Guidebook for Taupo
Food Scene
Zest
65 Rifle Range RdThe best coffee and breakfast/brunch menu!
The best Fish and Chips in Taupo. They also do chinese takeaways.
9 locals recommend
Grasshopper Chip Bar
40 Taharepa RdThe best Fish and Chips in Taupo. They also do chinese takeaways.
Body Fuel Cafe
67 Tongariro StA good hearty breakfast...and the coffee is good too!
Plateau Bar + Eatery
64 Tūwharetoa StYum!
Pub n Grub Taupo
4 Roberts StPub type meals on the lakefront.
Lakehouse Taupo
10 Roberts StPub meals with craft beers!
The Brantry Restaurant
45 Rifle Range RdYum!
Essentials
PAK'nSAVE
131 Ruapehu StCountdown Taupo
Tongariro StreetSightseeing
The Aratiatia Power station is the first hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river. Aratiatia Dam opens every day for around 15 minutes at 10am, 12, and 2pm. The water is released from the Aratiatia Dam down through the Aratiatia Rapids.
36 locals recommend
Aratiatia Dam
155 Rapids RdThe Aratiatia Power station is the first hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river. Aratiatia Dam opens every day for around 15 minutes at 10am, 12, and 2pm. The water is released from the Aratiatia Dam down through the Aratiatia Rapids.
The Waikato River abruptly narrows to just 15 metres as it crosses a hard volcanic ledge north of Lake Taupo. This causes a huge volume of water to collide and funnel through the rocky gorge, forming the spectacularly powerful falls and rapids.
205 locals recommend
Huka Falls station
The Waikato River abruptly narrows to just 15 metres as it crosses a hard volcanic ledge north of Lake Taupo. This causes a huge volume of water to collide and funnel through the rocky gorge, forming the spectacularly powerful falls and rapids.
Sails out to the Maori Carvings on the lake. You are sitting in the open air, so great on a nice fine day.
21 locals recommend
Sail Barbary
10 Redoubt StSails out to the Maori Carvings on the lake. You are sitting in the open air, so great on a nice fine day.
Chris Jolly Outdoors are famous in Taupo for all sorts of outdoor activities such as daily scenic cruises on Lake Taupo, or private charter. Fishing or hunting trips, hiking and biking.
22 locals recommend
Chris Jolly Outdoors
Redoubt StreetChris Jolly Outdoors are famous in Taupo for all sorts of outdoor activities such as daily scenic cruises on Lake Taupo, or private charter. Fishing or hunting trips, hiking and biking.
Entertainment & Activities
Our favourite hotpool in Taupo! Check 'grabone' as they usually have entry to the pools as 'buy one, get one free' Minimum age is 14, so sorry no children are allowed.
66 locals recommend
Wairakei Terraces
671 State Hwy 1Our favourite hotpool in Taupo! Check 'grabone' as they usually have entry to the pools as 'buy one, get one free' Minimum age is 14, so sorry no children are allowed.
Great hotpool to soak away those aches and pains! Be aware, though, that the walk back to the car is pretty steep! Children are allowed.
46 locals recommend
Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
76 Napier-Taupo RoadGreat hotpool to soak away those aches and pains! Be aware, though, that the walk back to the car is pretty steep! Children are allowed.
Hot pools which are both inside and outside. Our kids liked these best when they were younger!
A C Baths Avenue
A C Baths AvenueHot pools which are both inside and outside. Our kids liked these best when they were younger!
Rapids Jet
Nga Awa Purua RoadSo much fun! Bookings are essential.
A nice slow cruise from Aratiatia along the Waikato River to Huka Falls and back.
13 locals recommend
Huka Falls River Cruise
Aratiatia RoadA nice slow cruise from Aratiatia along the Waikato River to Huka Falls and back.
Huka Prawn Park
200 Karetoto RdNew Zealand's Highest Water Touch Bungy Jump - located 47 metres (154 feet) above the Waikato River, check out the stunning views before taking the plunge into or towards the crystal clear waters below. Only 5 minutes from Taupo township.
63 locals recommend
Taupo Bungy
202 Spa RdNew Zealand's Highest Water Touch Bungy Jump - located 47 metres (154 feet) above the Waikato River, check out the stunning views before taking the plunge into or towards the crystal clear waters below. Only 5 minutes from Taupo township.
With over 100,000 customers flown, Big Sky Parasail has led the way as being one of the safest and most professional parasail companies in New Zealand.
14 locals recommend
Big Sky Parasail Ltd.
With over 100,000 customers flown, Big Sky Parasail has led the way as being one of the safest and most professional parasail companies in New Zealand.
Parks & Nature
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the best one-day hike available in New Zealand! Please be aware that the climbs can be steep and the weather unpredictable. It is advised to use a licensed operators who will provide timely shuttle transport and expert safety knowledge on the walk and the weather. They will also provide back-up should you suffer a mishap during the day.
156 locals recommend
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the best one-day hike available in New Zealand! Please be aware that the climbs can be steep and the weather unpredictable. It is advised to use a licensed operators who will provide timely shuttle transport and expert safety knowledge on the walk and the weather. They will also provide back-up should you suffer a mishap during the day.