Top Things to do in Taupo District
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What to do and see in Taupo District, North Island: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Taupo District, New Zealand including Tongariro Guided Walks, Rafting New Zealand, Tongariro River Rafting, Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve, Mount Ngauruhoe, Korohe Horse Treks, Huka Falls tracks, Waipahihi Botanical Gardens, Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park, Tongariro National Trout Centre.
Restaurants in Taupo District
1. Tongariro Guided Walks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 126 reviews
Tongariro Guided Walks - the Central North Island's leading hiking outfitter, offering guided walks in around Tongariro National Park. Find out why the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is often referred to as the best one day walk in New Zealand, with a guide who will reveal some of the secrets of this stunning area. Knowledgeable, caring guides, who have your comfort and safety in mind.
2. Rafting New Zealand
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,535 reviews
Kia Ora and Welcome to Rafting New Zealand. A family run business established in 1991. We raft the best rivers, providing family fun rafting for ages 3 years and up all the way through to extreme whitewater action. With professional, fun, Kiwi guides, premier gear and facilities, Maori culture and an excellent safety record, book with us to experience the thrill of rafting, Aotearoa styles. Rafting NZ is NZ's most awarded rafting company.
3. Tongariro River Rafting
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,207 reviews
Tongariro River Rafting is the most experienced outdoor adventure company on the Tongariro River. We create journeys, share stories and bring people closer to nature through biking, fishing and rafting. We celebrate 25 years as a family owned and operated business in 2015. We're passionate about showing off our amazing region to visitors and are dedicated to preserving the natural environment of the Tongariro River for future generations – so much so, we founded the Blue Duck Project – with the goal of returning the rare native Blue Duck to its traditional habitat along the Tongariro River. Our adventures include Grade 3 white water rafting trips, family floats for the younger rafters or first timers, mountain biking and fishing. On your Grade 3 white water rafting trip, you will have an unforgettable 2.5 hours navigating over 60 heart-pounding rapids with an expert guide at the helm. All of our guides are highly trained professionals and our equipment is top quality. You'll even enjoy a deli style lunch after your trip (hot soup in winter). Prepare yourself for one of the most stunning white water rafting adventures in New Zealand – we know this river like the back of our paddle! “Oar-some!!”
4. Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By V2902SYrebeccaw - Wellington, New Zealand
Follow the Napier Taupō Highway (SH5) 17 km from Taupō. The highway bisects Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve, with car parks on both sides of the road. Two walks, on each side of the road. We enjoyed walking in the cool, a pleasant relief from the hot summer temperature of the day! Although we could hear the cars from the busy highway not far away, it felt peaceful and serene. Northern Track - Time: 30 - 45 min Distance: 1.5 km loop. Southern Track - Time: 1 hr - 1 hr 30 min Distance: 3 km loop The well maintained tracks take you through the bush, and in the case of the Northern Track mature podocarp forest. DOC has labeled some of the trees ( totara, rimu, matai) and bird life is prevalent. Opepe is noted for the 1869 New Zealand Land Wars engagement between the Bay of Plenty Calvary and a band of Maori warriors led by Te Kooti. A side track brings you to the cemetary where the nine soldiers were buried. Later, residents of Opepe township and the Armed Constabulary were also buried there. Opepe was a small township with a hotel, a store and homes for up to 120 people. Relics of this settlement remain. Dogs are allowed, under control.
5. Mount Ngauruhoe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By iVeracity - Magenta, Australia
The first time we drove and Mount Ngauruhoe came into view it did not disappoint. In July it was snow covered and although we could not walk the Tongariro alpine crossing without a guide we walked as far as possible to the mountain. The walk is beautiful and accessible but you must be well prepared and have gear for all weather conditions. We started in beautiful sunshine with outstanding views of the mountain and returned in snow.
6. Korohe Horse Treks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 86 reviews
Our Native Bush, Rive and Forest treks are one of a kind! Not only will you be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery but hear a mix of local Maori knowledge, myths and legends of Ngati Tuwharetoa that have been past down from generation to generation.
Reviewed By Kiwi-Tripper-1
The 6 year old loved it and was not scared at all, in great hands with John’s horse leading hers, and even the 13yo smiled once or twice! Great surroundings, combination of open countryside, enchanted forest, young and mature pine forests, stony riverbed, and actual river wading. Don’t often get that variety! Great, well-behaved horses expertly suited to each rider by the fantastic friendly staff who clearly care about the horses and customers. Excellent health and safety and Covid protocols followed, nice new helmets, impressive iPad registration system. Easily the best trek we’ve done. As Sammii said - worth the drive from Taupo!
7. 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
8. Waipahihi Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By Naina-Damani - London, United Kingdom
Waipahihi Botanical Garden is an amazing park of native trees and colourful bushes, shrubs and plants which boasts spectacular views over Great Lake Taupo.
9. Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,299 reviews
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave is a stunning geothermal attraction located off the beaten track between Taupo and Rotorua. Described by the Lonely Planet Guide as "arguably the best geothermal area left in New Zealand", Orakei Korako brings you into a world of gushing geysers, bubbling mud pools, and some of the largest and most amazing silica terraces in the world.
Reviewed By AllanJGJ - Wellington, New Zealand
This is a brilliant site to see some easily accesible geothermal activity. A nice little boat trip across the river and a pleasant two kilometre plus stroll around the site makes for a pleasant hour or so viewing some amazing natural phenomena. We were impressed by the infrastructure - good quality steps and explanatory boards - and even more impressed by Nick the young man who ferried us across the river. It's a family business and he's rightly proud of it; he was more than happy to spend time chatting to us about the site and the difficulties of operating a small business in the face of covid. A definite asset to the business and a credit to his family. When he said thank you for our support it was obviously sincerely meant. This is a site worth visiting for it's natural wonders and a business worth supporting for it's contribution to the region.
10. Tongariro National Trout Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Walk the banks of the world famous Tongariro River. Visit the Trout Hatchery with its own museum and fresh water aquarium. Learn the history of fishing in Taupo. Have a picnic by the pond, feed the trout with special food available for sale from our visitor centre. See wild trout in the streams and at the underwater viewing chamber. Small charge for adults, kids free!
Reviewed By aliheydari781
Fantastic place to visit. You can see lovely trouts from a close distance, get familiar with their reproduction process. A great place for kids too.
