Top Things to do in Taupo District
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Things to do in Taupo District, North Island: The Best Hiking Trails
Discover the best top things to do in Taupo District, New Zealand including Adventure Shuttles, Huka Falls tracks, Great Lake Trail, Tongariro River Trail, Tree Trunk Gorge tracks, Pureora Forest Park.
Restaurants in Taupo District
1. Adventure Shuttles
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Get the Buzz in the Central North Island outdoors by bike or on foot. We love helping people explore our place. At Adventure Shuttles we are passionate outdoors people who have biked, hiked and climbed extensively in New Zealand and overseas. Kiwis with over 40 years experience exploring the Central North Island outdoors
Reviewed By ScottSomerville70
We booked a last-minute self-guided trip with Garth and he couldn't have been more helpful. He responded quickly and we had everything arranged within an hour of contacting him. He picked us up from our accommodation the next morning and drove us to the start of the Great Lake Trail. He gave us some valuable tips about the track, too. The bikes were good and we were provided with a tool kit as well. Once we were finished biking, we had a great lunch at the Tipsy Trout in Kinloch (a tip from Garth), and we just texted Garth to let him know he could come pick us up. It was great not having to be back by a certain time and enjoy the ride at our own leisure. Would highly recommend!
2. Huka Falls tracks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,294 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By SteveBaldwin-NZ - Hamilton, New Zealand
Really amazing sights and walk, very relaxing walking along the tracks, great facilities and car park too which makes the visit easy. Never get tired of visiting here
3. Great Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
The Great Lake Trail is a 70 kilometre purpose built mountain biking/walking/running trail situated close to Lake Taupo in the centre of New Zealand's North Island. The trail follows the western shore of Lake Taupo, and takes in stunning views across to the volcanic mountains of the Tongariro National Park. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness can, and should, experience The Great Trail.
Reviewed By huggyfamily - Auckland, New Zealand
Have now cycled all 3 Great Lake Trails, each on a different trip to Taupo in the last four months. Enjoyed them all. The first one we did was K2K (December), loved it, especially now as it can be done as a loop from Kinloch. Couldn't wait to go down in January to do our second trail, the W2K (return), starting at Kinloch, doing the Headland Loop (great flowy mountain bike trail! and lovely views on a lovely day), then down to Whakaipo Bay, slept on the warm stones while my husband had a refreshing dip in the lake, then we cycled back to Kinloch - yes it was hard yakka going back up the hill (slow and steady wins the race), but oh what a joy it was sweeping back down to Kinloch in the late afternoon. Fabulous day. Finally in April we did Waihora and Waihaha, return (57km) - no water taxi for us! Started the day at 9am from the top of the Waihora track, a great 17km ride down to the bay (2 and a half hours), had a lovely picnic, then rode back up (2 and a half hours), rode the farm road to the top of Waihaha track (10km - one hour, with a break to see cute alpacas!), then down Waihaha track (13km (two hours, with breaks to see the beautiful views of the river, canyon, waterfall, and setting sun). Managed to finish back at the car at sundown, 5.45pm, just as it was getting dark. Exhilarating! We are in our fifties. We were so exhausted that when we got back to Taupo we sat for an hour in a thermal pool and went to bed at 8.30pm without bothering with dinner! We can't say which trail we liked best, as they were all different, and brilliantly built. I am writing this review because a lot of websites and reviews say "a water taxi is required" for the Waihora Bay trail. Well, we proved it isn't Just make sure you have enough daylight hours...
4. Tongariro River Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By MarkR7064 - Palmerston North, New Zealand
Fantastic walk, you can choose different length walks, I have previously done the 13km loop, on our last trip we were short on time so only did the SH1 to Major Jones bridge loop. Track is mostly flat walking (after the short climb to the lookout). worth taking the short tracks off the main track that lead down to the river for a look. Great leg stretch if only passing through Turangi, our dog loved it (please note dogs must be on a lead).
5. Tree Trunk Gorge tracks
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 11 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
