Taupo

Travel Guide

Huka Falls showing a bridge and rapids as well as a large group of people
Huka Falls which includes a river or creek and boating as well as a small group of people
Craters of the Moon which includes mountains and a hot spring as well as a couple
Taupo featuring signage
Taupo Bungy which includes a park

Where to stay in Taupo

Taupo featuring a lake or waterhole

Taupō Central

While visiting Taupō Central, you might make a stop by sights like Taupo Marina and Boat Ramp and Lake Taupo.

Taupō Central
Some may have seen this in photos before, but no photo does it justice; or shows you the awesomeness quite like when you are standing directly on the side of the boat and within metres of this brilliant carving. I took a small boat that served treats, pizza and wine. Although travelling alone I was able to meet people on this trip very easily. I went on the Ernest Kemp Steamboat. Such character and lovely staff.

Acacia Bay

Lake views and restaurants are notable features of Acacia Bay. You might consider a stop by Lake Taupo while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Acacia Bay
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Nukuhau

If you're spending some time in Nukuhau, Lake Taupo and Waikato River are top sights worth seeing.

Nukuhau
Looking out across Lake Taupo at the Central North Island volcanoes, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro. The town of Taupo is very nice, with plenty of cheap hostels, around $25-35 per night

Hilltop

If you're spending some time in Hilltop, Taupo Hot Springs and Lake Taupo are top sights worth seeing.

Hilltop
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Wharewaka

While visiting Wharewaka, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Taupo and The Landing Lake Taupo.

Wharewaka
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Waipahihi

If you're spending some time in Waipahihi, Lake Taupo and Waipahihi Botanical Gardens are top sights worth seeing.

Waipahihi
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
3 out of 5
100 Lake Terrace, Taupo
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is SAR 205 per night from May 11 to May 12
SAR 205
SAR 236 total
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (843 reviews)
"Very clean and tidy, the on-site restaurant a great bonus."

Reviewed on 5 May 2025

Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Lakeland Resort Taupo
Lakeland Resort Taupo
3 out of 5
282 Lake Terrace, Taupo
The price is SAR 367 per night from May 7 to May 8
SAR 367
SAR 422 total
includes taxes & fees
7 May - 8 May
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"It a nice place to stay"

Reviewed on 1 May 2025

Lakeland Resort Taupo
Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
4.5 out of 5
76 Napier-Taupo Road, SH 5, Taupo
The price is SAR 164 per night from May 18 to May 19
SAR 164
SAR 192 total
includes taxes & fees
18 May - 19 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury holiday park in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (998 reviews)
"We were booked in the 2-bedroom chalet. It was spacious with a seperate toilet and shower. The place was clean but dated. The sink did not have space to place toiletries, a porper vanity would have served better. Note there are no working heaters in the bedrooms so we needed to leave the bedroom ..."

Reviewed on 28 April 2025

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
See all 645 properties in Taupo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments
Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments
3.5 out of 5
59-61 Kaimanawa Street, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Taupo. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (699 reviews)
"Ir was safe ans good stay"

Reviewed on 10 April 2025

Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments
The Village Resort
The Village Resort
4 out of 5
82 Lake Terrace, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (322 reviews)
"Great service, very spacious and comfortable."

Reviewed on 23 April 2025

The Village Resort
Shinkou House UE - Newly Built Secure and Hypoallergenic
Shinkou House UE - Newly Built Secure and Hypoallergenic
3 out of 5
64 Lake Terrace, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Taupo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (305 reviews)
"We loved the convenient location, but parking is a bit tricky."

Reviewed on 19 April 2025

Shinkou House UE - Newly Built Secure and Hypoallergenic
See all properties in Taupo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

People gather at a hot spot in the Waikato river. Because of the geothermal activity in this area, this area of the lake is like a hot tub. #waikatoriver #geothermal #nature #newzealand #taupo #hotspot

Spa Thermal Park

4/5(1 review)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Spa Thermal Park during your travels in Taupo.

Spa Thermal Park
Lake Taupo Museum and Art Gallery showing art and indigenous culture

Taupo Museum and Art Gallery

4.5/5(3 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Taupo Museum and Art Gallery during your trip to Taupo. Discover the area's mountain views and spas.

Taupo Museum and Art Gallery

Taupo Hot Springs

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Enjoy an outing to Taupo Hot Springs during your stay in Taupo. Discover the mountain views and spas in this relaxing area.

Taupo Hot Springs

Taupo Marina and Boat Ramp

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Taupo with a trip to Taupo Marina and Boat Ramp. Stroll along the lakeside or visit the spas in the area.

Taupo Marina and Boat Ramp

A.C. Baths

4.5/5(6 reviews)

You can learn about the history of Taupo with a trip to A.C. Baths. Discover the mountain views and spas in this relaxing area.

A.C. Baths

Taupo i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

4.5/5(7 reviews)

Taupo i-SITE Visitor Information Centre is just one of the places to see in Taupo, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels?

Taupo i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Reviews of Taupo

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
63
5 - Excellent 65%
4 - Good
31
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

JimandDonna

The walk to Huka Falls was very nice

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Unfortunately we arrived around midnight and left very early to catch our plane in Auckland so we did not have time to explore the area, but we plan on returning in the future.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

What a great jumping off spot for exploring the area!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Taupo looked like a nice town with lots to do; unfortunately, we were there just overnight and could not take advantage of the lake or local hiking and biking. We did go to Spa Park and soaked in the hot spring there, which was enjoyable (and free).

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Taupo felt more relaxed than Rotorua and you could get around by public bus. Huka Falls and thermal Spa Park were only a $3 rt bus fare but walking the trail was also quite lovely.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The people in Taupo were awesomely friendly, nice small lake town with not so many tourists (in Spring). I would love to come back again to experience more of this place.