Best things to do in Lake Taupo

Lake Taupō Essentials

Lake Taupō, situated in the caldera of a massive volcano, offers a mix of geothermal activity and cultural heritage. This collection features the 14-meter-high Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay and the powerful Huka Falls, where 220,000 liters of water per second surge through a narrow canyon. Explore the geothermal boardwalks of Craters of the Moon, bathe in the natural Otumuheke Stream hot pools, or dine inside a decommissioned 1943 Douglas DC-3 aircraft. These sites represent the region's unique volcanic geology and recreational history.

Lake Taupō Essentials — Map

QFSE Media / CC BY-SA 3.0 nz

A

Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings

Sculpted by Matahi Brightwell in 1980, this giant carving is recognized as one of the most impressive contemporary Māori artworks.

Egghead06 / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Huka Falls

Huka Falls is a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River, which drains Lake Taupō in New Zealand.

Pseudopanax / Public domain

C

Lake Taupō

Lake Taupō is a large crater lake in New Zealand's North Island, located in the caldera of Taupō Volcano.

David Broad / CC BY 3.0

D

Craters of the Moon

Geothermal area featuring a network of wooden boardwalks through steam vents, bubbling mud pools, and collapse craters formed following changes in underground water pressure in the 1950s.

sven f. / CC-BY-SA

E

Douglas DC-3

A decommissioned 1943 aircraft repurposed as a unique dining area for the local McDonald's, featuring the original cockpit and seating for 20 passengers.

F

Otumuheke Stream Hot Pools

Natural geothermal stream located in Spa Park where warm water flows into the Waikato River. The site includes tiered soaking pools, changing rooms, and a coffee kiosk.

G

Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge

A lakeside activity where participants attempt to hit golf balls from the shore onto a floating pontoon green located 102 meters out on the lake.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

H

Huka Honey Hive

Facility showcasing New Zealand honey, mead, and liqueurs. Features include glass-fronted observation hives, honey tastings, and a wide range of manuka honey products.

Shawn the Prawn / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Huka Prawn Park

The world's only geothermal prawn farm, featuring a hatchery, interactive water play areas, and a riverside restaurant specializing in prawns cultivated in warm geothermal waters.

J

Lake Taupo Scenic Lookout

Elevated viewpoint on the lake's edge providing panoramic vistas across the caldera toward the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park.