Nature & Parks in Taupo
Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Taupo, New Zealand
Nature & Parks in Taupo
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Nature & Parks
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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24 places sorted by traveller favourites
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Bodies of Water • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Recommended Outdoor Activities (20)
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Geologic Formations
Water Parks • Hot Springs & Geysers
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Amusement & Theme Parks • Parks
Hot Springs & Geysers
What travellers are saying
- Hey27 contributionsThe Hookers are always going to be a place to come back and visit. I enjoyed every moment.The views are amazing. Thank youWritten 28 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Emma HParkwood, Australia48 contributionsThis was an easy drive from Taupo, well signed. The water release was worth the wait, with a number of view points to see. Walk to the viewing area was an easy track. A great free experienceWritten 19 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TheLeongOhanaUnited States7,497 contributionsThe views from the lakefront were beautiful and relaxing. There were no crowds at all in May and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. Of course our stop in Taupo only gave us a feel for a small section of this huge lake, the largest in New Zealand.
There was a lot of nearby street parking. The Coolest” McDonald’s and restaurants and cafes were less than five minutes from the shoreline and some had outdoor seating.
We did the obligatory family photo in front of the I Love Taupo sign and wandered through the Tongariro Domain.Written 28 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Tigerram224 contributionsHiked from Spa Thermal Park to Huka falls and total took 1.5 hour round trip (6km). Start point was Spa thermal park car park. Walked a little to Geothermal pool. It is small but very nice and is free for a soak but don’t expect hot water, more like warm water. The park actually has changing room so is convenient if someone wants to go for a swim/ soak in the warm water pool. The hike itself is an easy walk involving gentle slopes and is peaceful walk. Huka Falls is more like a rapids, so have the appropriate expectation.Written 20 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jessica_nz2Christchurch, New Zealand225 contributionsAt 10 dollars per adult it was a pleasant hour stroll. The craters were cool with bursts of steam. Be sure to read the information signs, we learnt a lot. We visited Orakei Korako and Wai o Tapu parks on our trip, but I thought this added something we hadn't seen at either park. The park is hot however so be prepared for that in the heat of the summer.Written 30 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Michelle SAuckland Central, New Zealand497 contributionsThis place is in the country and worth a visit.
Hands-on glass sculptures for sale of all sizes and shapes. I bought the most beautiful glass flower.
Staff are very helpful.
The items are made on site, and you can watch the items being made.
Walk through to the little cafe and sit outside in the sun. Salmon eggs Benedict was excellent.
Next door, there is a gate, and a separate fee is required to walk around the sculpture gardens.
This is lovely on a sunny day. If you just want to spend a couple of hours at this venue for time out, you won't be disappointed.Written 8 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Quest58977850400Auckland, New Zealand5 contributionsWe booked 2 villas for 7 nights - accomodation is stunning and would give a 5 star however agree with a lot of the comments I have seen regarding servicing of the rooms / villas, our beds were not made once, I had to call reception twice and ask for our villa to be hoovered - bathrooms and kitchen floors not cleaned once …. I asked 3 times for clean bedding for my 3 yr old which I never got. I walked up to reception and complained in person - they sent someone down to Hoover and that was it? We expected the rooms to be serviced like at the many others resorts we have stayed at - cleaning of bathrooms, kitchen and toilets, making of beds, and serviced. You don’t go on holiday to wash floors etc and why we booked the villas which is meant to be the premium stay and not cheap.
I was on the fence on giving a 3 or 4 star rating.Written 20 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - EmmaWellington, New Zealand1 contributionSo many friendly animals to feed, our kids loved the experience. Squeak the cockatoo was a favourite and really enjoyed dancing to Bohemian rhapsodyWritten 8 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Vince WHamilton, New Zealand7 contributionsIf you are after a pleasant stroll through lovely gardens then this is the place. Walk around the ring road and top to admire the views of the lake and mountains.Written 5 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DarthgeloDoha, Qatar49 contributionsOrdered deep fried calamari and half kilo of prawns in garlic butter, and they were huge! The aioli dip for calamari is great, but the dip for the prawn needs a little tweak, so i decided to mix it together and it tasted better.
The service was fast even with many tables were occupied during lunch. The host (Rachael) was very accommodating and
Recommended to go for outside tables as you will have a view of the water from Huka falls as well the Huka jet.Written 24 March 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mortelad51Napier, New Zealand114 contributionsOff the beaten track a little on an unsealed road that has a few pot holes. But well worth the visit. An ‘au naturelle’ track is part of the appeal. Nothing too spectacular but a nice walk and gets you up close and personal with some of nature’s little wonders. Very secluded and sheltered with a cafe, camp grounds and a range of free range animals. Enjoyed the visit after passing the entrance for many years and wondering where it led, and well worth the reasonable entrance fee.Written 4 August 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TaylorMount Maunganui, New Zealand146 contributionsKinloch is a very quiet town. Beach is nice to take photos. It gets very cold here. Lovely views in the evenings.Written 11 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- rosemariejbAuckland Central, New Zealand42 contributionsWe love staying here for Xmas, from Xmas eve to boxing day. We have dogs and although not everyone is as thoughtful with there dogs , we are very courteous to others who don't have dogs. We love it for our dogs who enjoy swimming in the lake when we can find a time around the many day and camping visitors. We are just living the dream when we are here.Written 5 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jordan L10 contributionsthe top has amazing views and rocks perfect for photos, can see the lake, as well as other mountains. I did this cause weather was too cloudy for tongariro. The start of the walk is very nice, there’s a mid section that’s average in the walk, but the top section is very nice, mossy and natural. Bring food and water as I enjoyed eating at top also windy at top.Written 4 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- silverferncaroAuckland Central, New Zealand96 contributionsWe did the three separate trails of the Great Lakes in three days while on a one week central North Island holiday. While I had read you could do it in two days , I decided to make it a more relaxing trip.
Unfortunately on the Monday of our W2W ride, the weather was bad the night before and our water taxi was cancelled that night. This was one of the main reasons why I had wanted to do the ride so I was a little disappointed, especially as on the actual day of our ride the weather was perfect and the lake was calm.
As the trail is busier in the weekend I think the water taxi is geared more for weekend riders , with several crossings a day in the weekend depending on weather. I would definitely book early to ensure a place on the taxi as there are only limited trips.
Anyway, the W2W itself was a little trickier than I had expected. Having done the Timber trail and really enjoyed it, I expected the W2W to be similar or if not, easier. However I found that the extreme dry conditions, rocky pumice and narrow tracks in some parts plus a few severe switchbacks, made it actually more “technical” than the Timber trail. I had to really concentrate on the rocky bits and some of the uphill switch backs were a killer. Not ashamed to say I ended up with a severely bruised rib and we both had at least one major fall each!
As we didn’t have a water taxi, our bike shuttle provider organised for us to ride 4/5 of the track before we rode back the way we came . We then met him on the gravel road at the carpark between the two tracks for our shuttle rback to our accomodation .
The 2nd day was the w2k with the headland loop included. The start of the w2k from Kinloch felt like a bit of a uphill slog for 6 km but the headland loop made up for it with some really fun dips and wide corners. This was the most fun day for me. We started the day very late morning and finished early-mid arvo and had a nice nap before a yum Indian dinner in Taupo.
The last day we did the k2k as a loop starting and ending at Kinloch. This was a fun but longish day. I was dreading the uphill of Otaketake but after experiencing the W2W, it wasn’t as hard, and quite fun, although there is one severe uphill switchback that had us off our bikes. The Orakau was pretty much downhill and apart from a steepish but doable winding ride from the start of Kawakawa bay , the k2k to Kinloch, was pretty steady.
All up, it was a great three days and we did enjoy it, but its still not a trail to be taken lightly and can be a little tricky in places. I can also say, hand on heart, I though it was harder than the timber trail and we fell off more than we’d like to admit!
We saw a lot of people using e bikes, and I’m sure that may have made the trip a little easier, but you still need to concentrate on some of the switchbacks, and the narrowness of the track in places, and in the summer when the track is dry,rocky and dusty.
We took our own front suspension only ancient mountain bikes and then used Adventure shuttles with Garth London as we were staying at Whakaipo lodge.
Garth was great. His experience of the track and his advice and was very useful and his enthusiasm helped set us up for three good rides..Written 22 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
