Things to do in Taupo

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Hukafalls Jet Taupo

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.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Lake Taupo

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.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Huka Falls

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.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Spa Thermal Park

Spa Thermal Park is a riverside park famous for its natural geothermal hot springs. The heart 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 confluence, the water temperature varies due to the river's inflow, so you can move around to experience different temperatures. The park is also a popular starting point for hiking and cycling: trails winding through native bush along the banks of 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. Even if you don't go in for a soak, the wooden viewing platform by the stream is a great place to enjoy the view of this steam-filled natural hot spring landscape.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Craters of the Moon

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.

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Huka Prawn Park

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.

AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy & Swing

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.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in North Island

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is located south of Rotorua. Wai-o-Tapu means "sacred waters" in Maori and is one of the area's well-known geothermal regions. The wonderland centers on the Taupo Volcanic Zone, where volcanic activity is frequent, and a walking trail of approx. 3 km guides visitors to various interesting attractions along the way. Hot springs, mud pools, and geysers of diverse forms are distributed throughout the area, and the signature views are the beautiful Champagne Pool and Lady Knox Geyser. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts in a water column up to 20 m high. In addition, the constantly churning and bubbling mud pools, the colorful Palette, and the fluorescent green Devil's Bath each have their own distinctive character, and information boards along the trail introduce how the various geothermal landforms were formed. During the visit, do not enter areas marked with warning signs; the geothermal ground surface is extremely hot, and straying from the route poses safety hazards.

Taupo Tandem Skydiving

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.

Huka Honey Hive