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Taupo
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Nature & parks in Taupo

Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Taupo, New Zealand

Nature & Parks in Taupo

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Recommended Outdoor Activities (14)

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What travellers are saying

  • Janeane1965
    Melbourne, Australia544 contributions
    Brilliant
    What an incredible location. Absolutely stunning. This is a must visit when you come to Taupo. The falls are simply beautiful and tracks great.
    Review of: Huka Falls tracks
    Written 20 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • The Winded Traveller
    48 contributions
    Good Value
    Pretty good value for what you get to do and see. 10 dollars for entry is pretty good. Get a half decent walk.
    Review of: Craters of the Moon
    Written 23 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • happykoabug
    Honolulu, HI169 contributions
    nice lake in a busy tourist town
    Lake Taupō is said to be the largest, bluest, freshwater lake in New Zealand & the southern hemisphere. There are paths along the lake as well as a huge playground for the kids. You can find clean bathrooms at the park. There are plenty of shops and eating establishments. The McD was amazing as they used an old plane as their dining room. I didn't eat here but I thought the plane was pretty cool.
    Review of: Lake Taupo
    Written 7 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mdh969
    Canberra, Australia615 contributions
    Lava Glass visit
    We were driving from Hastings to Rotorua and saw the sign for the glass works and stopped to have a look.

    There were some great works, but out of our price range 😆.

    You could pay watch the glass works being blown for $12.50 per person and or walk through the sculpture garden for $12.50 per person or pay $20.00 per person to do both.

    There is also a cafe you could get a coffee or bite to eat.

    Worth a look.
    Review of: Lava Glass
    Written 10 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mariannah378
    Katikati, New Zealand211 contributions
    Lovely spot
    The warm water out of the rocks is nice but not as hot as last year but I have heard that it is because of the new geothermal powerstation taking away the heat. But it's still a lovely place to be there and relax.
    Review of: Spa Thermal Park and Riverbank Recreational and Scenic Reserve
    Written 5 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Vince W
    Hamilton, New Zealand7 contributions
    Best kept secret
    If 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.
    Review of: Waipahihi Botanical Gardens
    Written 5 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • wasabi2k
    Taupo, New Zealand15 contributions
    Great for families
    Always visit when we head down to Taupo. New owners are improving it constantly - lots of friendly animals (including very cute lambs), lots of space and a trampoline in the picnic area and coffee available. Well worth a visit for families.
    Review of: Lilliput Farm Fun And Animal Park
    Written 3 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Darthgelo
    Doha, Qatar39 contributions
    Huge prawns!
    Ordered 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.
    Review of: Huka Prawn Park
    Written 24 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KatherineTB
    Wellington, New Zealand35 contributions
    Plenty of Pool Options
    I enjoyed this hot pool spot mainly because of the numerous hotpool options: plenty of hot pools, different depths to them, and different temperatures meant you can move between the pools and keep comfortable.

    I highly recommend you bring some water as I didn't see anywhere to fill your water bottle. And be prepared to be surrounded by children, although it wasn't too bad as they stayed closer to the more shallow and less hot areas.

    They have water slides with warm water, but there's a weight limit so beware! (90kg / 198lbs)

    Lockers are on-site and cost $2NZ for a big locker, well worth it.

    Overall wonderful and would visit again.
    Review of: Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
    Written 11 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PeteOfPirongia
    Christchurch, New Zealand107 contributions
    A good short walk. Thank you Tauhara Trust.
    It a nice climb of about 500m and takes us about 2 hr return but any time is s good time. There are some interesting bits of trench work and an ability to swing from your arms can come in handy. The top has just amazing views and there are some variant routes just on the top ridge. There is no toilet or facilities on the route or road end. The whole track is over private land, so thank you to the Tauhara Middle 15 Trust for making such a wonderful place open to all.
    Review of: Mount Tauhara
    Written 22 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Taylor
    Mount Maunganui, New Zealand152 contributions
    Very Quiet
    Kinloch is a very quiet town. Beach is nice to take photos. It gets very cold here. Lovely views in the evenings.
    Review of: Kinloch Beach
    Written 11 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • silverferncaro
    Auckland Central, New Zealand94 contributions
    Take care and give it a go!
    We 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..
    Review of: Great Lake Trail
    Written 22 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mortelad51
    Napier, New Zealand115 contributions
    Worth the visit.
    Off 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.
    Review of: Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley
    Written 4 August 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tasman Travels
    56 contributions
    Great!
    What a fantastic DOC campsite!! Plenty of space, like loads!!! Beautiful swimming in the lake, phone signal, a loo (didn’t use) and it’s free as well apparently, we have a DOC pass, but free for everyone!! You can even bring a pet if you have one! We spent quite a while here as a base for Taupō! Will definitely be back! Keep it clean PLEEAAAAASSEEE people. Take your rubbish wit you. Ka pai! @saltyskin
    Review of: Whakaipo Bay
    Written 29 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CrumpySeaford
    Seaford, UK791 contributions
    Impressive Lake
    Lake Taupo is a large crater lake located in the caldera of the Taupo Volcano - a super volcano.
    Easy to overlook this, or even be aware, but I wouldn't want to live there. Good to see ... then move on.
    Review of: Lake Taupo
    Written 3 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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