Taupo Travel Guide
Taupo accommodation, Taupo activities and attractions, Taupo maps, transportation to and around Taupo - the ALL NEW Jasons Taupo Destination Travel Guide is your complete visitor guide for Taupo.
Right at the heart of New Zealand’s most active volcanic zone, Taupo is famous the world over for its trout fishing, but as the saying goes, there’s plenty more fish to catch in this scenic lakeside resort. Stunning scenery, thermal areas wreathed in steam and a host of outdoor pursuits from quadbiking to skydiving make Taupo one of the country’s best-loved holiday destinations. In a region that stretches from
Orakei Korako in the north, to magnificent
Tongariro National Park in the south, you'll find snow-capped mountains, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, pristine native bush, bubbling mud pools and geysers, and one of the world’s only Dual World Heritage Areas.
Walk the shores of
Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, take a scenic cruise or bushwalk, cast your line for a fat
trout (and they'll even cook it up for you at one of the local restaurants) or get an adrenalin rush with a spot of extreme adventure. You can opt for a bungy jump, tandem skydive or high-speed jetboat ride, or head into the hills on a quad bike adventure. There is rafting and kayaking on the region's rivers, or cruise across Lake Taupo to view the Maori rock carvings. At the end of the day, relax and enjoy a soak in the hot pools before dining at one of the region's many restaurants and alfresco cafés. Whether it's a quick break away or an extended family vacation, you'll find plenty of fresh holiday ideas at Taupo.
Order your free
Jasons Central & Eastern North Island Routeplanner now for more information and maps on Taupo and the surrounding area.
Geographic Location
East bank of the Waikato River at its outlet from Lake Taupo
Population
32,500
Climate
Temperate, though slightly colder than other parts of the North Island.
TemperatureSummer average: 23°C
Winter average: 12°C
Average rainfall
1145mm/year
Airport Location
Off State Highway 1, 4km to the south of CBD. Drive along the lakefront.
Major Industry
Forestry, energy, tourism, agriculture and retail.
Getting Your Bearings
Anyone heading into Taupo, from either the north or the south, will reach the town just by being on State Highway 1, which becomes Tongariro Street as it passes through Taupo. The southern end of town, along the lakefront, is where you'll find accommodation and a number of restaurants. More cafés, restaurants and retail can be found on Tuwharetoa, Heu Heu and Horomatangi Streets.