Taupo

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Top 10 attractions in Taupo

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Hukafalls Jet Taupo
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Hukafalls Jet Taupo

7
4.9/5
27 reviews
This exhilarating 30-minute adventure delivers nonstop fun and excitement as you speed along the stunning Waikato River, passing through native forests, steep cliffs, and thermal streams on both banks. Take the Hukafalls Jet Taupo and speed toward the spectacular Hukafalls at up to 80 km/h, marveling at its magnificent cascading views. Along the way, you'll experience the signature 360-degree spin, delivering an exhilarating mix of laughter and adrenaline-pumping thrills.Taupo · 6.9 km from downtown
Lake Taupo
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Lake Taupo

5.8
4.8/5
78 reviews
Lake Taupo is New Zealand's largest lake, located on a volcanic plateau in the central North Island. The upper reaches of the Waikato River (known as the Tongariro (Tongariro) River) enters from the south, and the lake flows from the northeast of the lake through the Waikato River. The lake water covers several craters. There are many geothermal hot springs around the lake, which are either used for recuperation or used to generate electricity. Built the Waikato River Hydroelectric Power Plant.Turangi · 18.6 km from Taupo
Huka Falls
No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Huka Falls

5.4
4.9/5
73 reviews
Huka Falls is situated on the upper reaches of the Waikato River where it flows out of Lake Taupo. The river, originally wide, is suddenly narrowed by a canyon here, causing the water to build up immense pressure and speed as it surges through the gorge and plunges over the cliff at the end. The rushing water displays a rare light sapphire blue color, contrasting sharply with the churning white foam. Its name means "foam" in Māori. Walking trails and viewing platforms are available on both banks, allowing you to admire this blue-and-white water curtain from different angles. The pedestrian bridge above the water faces the main current directly, making it an ideal spot for a panoramic view and photos. For a closer experience, you can also take a jet boat or sightseeing cruise to the edge of the pool and feel the power of the mist. You can easily access it from the center of Taupo, or walk along the riverbank trail to watch the Waikato River transform from calm to raging, offering visitors a visually striking natural experience.Taupo · 4.5 km from downtown
Spa Thermal Park
No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Spa Thermal Park

5.3
4.3/5
18 reviews
Spa Thermal Park is located on the banks of the Waikato River in Taupo and is a riverside park famous for its natural geothermal hot springs. The core of the park is a stream heated by geothermal energy: steaming water flows downstream, forming a series of natural rock hot spring pools and small hot spring waterfalls where it meets the Waikato River. Steam rises from the valley, creating a striking contrast with the clear, turquoise river water. Near the river mouth, the water temperature varies due to the river's inflow, so you can move to different spots to experience varying temperatures. The park is also a popular starting point for hiking and cycling: trails winding through native bush along the Waikato River lead all the way to Huka Falls, and cycling routes also extend along the riverbank. There is also a disc golf course on the lawn, and you can see visitors relaxing on picnic blankets everywhere. As a park that combines natural hot spring experiences, outdoor sports, and leisurely picnics, it offers visitors a wealth of natural sightseeing and leisure experiences.Taupo · 2.1 km from downtown
Craters of the Moon
No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Craters of the Moon

4.7
4.8/5
10 reviews
The Moon Crater is known for its unique volcanic landforms and geothermal phenomena. Its shape resembles the surface of the moon, so it is called the Moon Crater. The Moon Crater is an active volcanic crater, and the surface is covered with hot steam and mud pools, which is a spectacular sight. Visitors can hike along the trails of the Crater to enjoy the surrounding natural scenery and geological wonders. The trail is suitable for visitors of all fitness levels, and there are several viewpoints along the way, providing good photo opportunities. The formation of the Moon Crater is related to the activities of the nearby geothermal power station. In the 1950s, the land north of Lake Taupo suddenly heated up and steamed, forming many steaming mud pools and other geothermal features. This was caused by the nearby geothermal power station causing a drop in groundwater pressure, hot water gushing to the ground and gushing out from various outlets. There are rich flora and fauna resources near the Crater, and visitors may encounter birds and plants unique to New Zealand during their hike. In order to protect the natural environment, it is recommended that visitors follow the trail instructions and do not pick plants or disturb wildlife at will.Taupo · 4.6 km from downtown
Huka Prawn Park
No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Huka Prawn Park

4
4.5/5
31 reviews
Huka Prawn Park is one of only a few geothermal shrimp farms in the world, located next to Huka Falls, a 10-minute drive from Taupo city centre. The scenery inside the shrimp farm is pleasant, and it is rich in the famous geothermal shrimp.Taupo · 6.9 km from downtown
AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy & Swing

AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy & Swing

3.4
4.0/5
3 reviews
New Zealand's tallest water bungee jump, set 154 feet above the Waikato River, offers breathtaking views as you dip into the crystal clear water below.Taupo · 1.6 km from downtown
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
No. 4 of Best Things to Do in North Island

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

8.3
4.7/5
547 reviews
Wai-o-Tapu, which means "holy water" in Maori, is one of Rotorua's most famous geothermal areas. The most famous ones in Wonderland are the beautiful Champagne Pool and the Lady Knox Geyser, which starts spewing water at 10:15 am every day. This geothermal wonderland is centered on the volcanically active Taupo Volcano area, and about 3 kilometers of walking trails lead you to interesting attractions, including the boiling and extremely photogenic Champagne Pool, the thick but always in Boiling mud, mineral-rich hot springs, and Lady Knox's geyser, which spouts water at mysteriously timed and fixed points - every day at 10.15am, it starts spewing energetically, often for an hour at a time. The water column is as high as 20 meters. In addition to watching all kinds of wonderful and magnificent natural landscapes along the walking trails (please be careful not to walk into areas with warning signs to avoid danger), you can also take a helicopter to get a bird's-eye view of the entire steamy fantasy world. This is a well-developed scenic spot, equipped with a large-scale shopping area and cafes. If you are tired from walking, you can go to the cafe to have a cup of hot coffee and take a break. Before leaving, you may wish to buy a mud mask, which can represent Rotorua. Oh special product.Waiotapu · 44.7 km from Taupo
Taupo Tandem Skydiving

Taupo Tandem Skydiving

3.2
Taupo Tandem Skydiving offers high‑altitude tandem skydiving experiences in Taupo, New Zealand. When you pick the 16,500‑foot jump option, the elevated terrain of Lake Taupo pushes your actual exit altitude up to 18,000 feet, matching the elevation of Mount Everest Base Camp and representing one of New Zealand's highest commercial skydiving altitudes. You get up to 70 seconds of thrilling freefall, with sweeping panoramic views across Tongariro National Park and the far‑reaching coast‑to‑coast scenery of New Zealand's North Island.Taupo · 6.3 km from downtown
Huka Honey Hive

Huka Honey Hive

3.2
Taupo · 5.6 km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in Taupo

Featured Day tours in Taupo

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Auckland Alpha small group: Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway~Geothermal wonderland~Huka Falls Taupo|Shared transfer private charter optional
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5.0/5
· 61 reviews· 459 booked
Duration: 12.5 hrs
English
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61 consecutive positive reviews
FromUS$206.70
Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp
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4.7/5
· 588 reviews· 72 booked
Duration: 110–120 mins
Free cancellation
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68 consecutive positive reviews
FromUS$34.36
Taupō: Sail Barbary Eco Sailing to the Maori Rock Carvings
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4.9/5
· 34 reviews· 50 booked
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
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34 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$35.01US$36.86
Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo
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4.6/5
· 177 reviews· 32 booked
Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
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90.4% of travelers recommend
FromUS$37.86

Featured Cultural experiences in Taupo

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Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours 1-day tour | Including themed buffet lunch · Comfortable bus tour · Departing from Auckland
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3.0/5
· 1 review· 76 booked
Duration: 8 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromUS$187.42
New Zealand Waitomo Glowworm Caves + Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours 1-day tour luxury bus
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews· 29 booked
Duration: 9.2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromUS$267.17
New Zealand Waitomo Glowworm Caves + Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours 1-day tour [Round-trip from Auckland + Sightseeing Bus]
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FromUS$240.52
Auckland Round-Trip Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day Tour [Including Lunch]
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FromUS$296.57
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours + Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ 1-day tour | includes lunch and dinner · bus tour · Auckland
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FromUS$310.46

Featured Outdoor experiences in Taupo

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Taupo: Tandem Skydive up to 15,000ft over Lake Taupo
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$177.89US$187.26
Taupō: AJ Hackett Taupō Bungy - NZ's Highest Water Touch!
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5.0/5
· 14 reviews
Duration: 1 hr
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$148.14US$155.94
Lake Taupo: Classical Sailing to the Māori Rock Carvings
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5.0/5
· 14 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$31.90US$33.58

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Free things to do in Taupo

What travelers say about Taupo

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mouseFebruary 1, 2025
5.0
It's super exciting and highly recommended. Remember to wear a hat. It's very windy, but you will get wet. It's best to wear a hooded windbreaker to block the wind and water. You have to book in advance, otherwise it's easy to get no seats. There are only 17 seats on a boat.

Hukafalls Jet Taupo

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张知珩November 12, 2020
5.0
Lake Taupo is so big that it looks like a sea. It is a must-see attraction when traveling to the South Island of New Zealand! If you live in the city, you can walk to the lake. There are many sailboats and yachts, and you can play golf directly in the lake. New Zealanders are really good at playing. It is also very comfortable to lie in the green space by the lake and bask in the sun. All hotels are fully booked during the peak travel season, so you must book in advance. There is also a Huka Falls nearby to check in.

Lake Taupo

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Bobo0692December 4, 2023
5.0
This is such a feast to eyes! This is an extremely beautiful waterfall. This stunning beautiful body of water is one of the loveliest spot Taupo has to offer.

Huka Falls

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王海娃子July 1, 2020
4.0
The air is filled with a strong smell of sulfur, and white gas is coming out of the cracks in the rocks everywhere. The entire geothermal hot spring park makes people feel the pulse of the earth we live in, and it is also a resource for the benefit of mankind.

Spa Thermal Park

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DannyEApril 30, 2023
5.0
$10NZ entry fee and it’s around 45 minutes to walk around the whole track.

Craters of the Moon

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华-RainbowDecember 3, 2019
4.0
The first project was the hatchery, where the tour guide took adults and children to see shrimp eggs, hatchery ponds and growth gardens. Along the way, he also introduced New Zealand's geology, water quality characteristics, and shrimp species characteristics.

Huka Prawn Park

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Kenny TeanOctober 22, 2026
4.0
Good experience! The only set back was the sulphur mixed caused the pools water have many small particles.

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

Popular cities near Taupo

Frequently asked questions

You can give New Zealand Māori-style buffet + Māori haka war dance performance + geothermal fountain + kiwi bird [Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ/geothermal park] and New Zealand Hobbiton™ Movie Set night tour and dinner (Hobbit Hole + Lord of the Rings™ movie set + Shire™ experience) a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Auckland round-trip 1-day tour to Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway + Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland + Huka Falls + Lake Taupo, Auckland Alpha small group: Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway~Geothermal wonderland~Huka Falls Taupo|Shared transfer private charter optional, and Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of October 24, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Taupo is around USD 34.36 – USD 662.36. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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