Must-see attractions in Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

  • Huka Falls.

    Huka Falls

    Taupo

    The Waikato, New Zealand’s longest river, squeezes through a narrow chasm at Huka Falls, making the dramatic 11m drop into a surging crystal-blue…

  • Orakei Korako geothermal park, New Zealand.

    Orakei Korako

    Taupo

    Tucked away from other more popular thermal fields, Orakei Korako is (since the destruction of the Pink and White Terraces, at least) arguably NZ's most…

  • Taupō Museum

    Taupo

    This small but fascinating museum has an excellent Māori gallery and quirky displays, which include a 1960s caravan set up as if the occupants have just…

  • Maori rock carving at Mine Bay, Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand.

    Māori Rock Carvings

    Taupo

    Accessible only by boat or kayak, these 14m-high carvings were etched into the cliffs near Mine Bay by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the…

  • Mt Ruapehu

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Mt Ruapehu (2797m) is the North Island's highest mountain and one of the world’s most active volcanoes. One year-long eruption began in March 1945,…

  • Lake Rotokura

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    For some peaceful moments away from the mountains, consider a walk to this bush-smothered lake, the centrepiece of the Lake Rotokura Ecological Reserve,…

  • Aratiatia Rapids

    Taupo

    Two kilometres off SH5, this gorge was a spectacular part of the Waikato River until a hydroelectric dam was plonked across the waterway, shutting off the…

  • Craters of the Moon

    Taupo

    This geothermal area sprang to life when hydroelectric tinkering around the power station in 1958 caused water levels to fall. The pressure shifted,…

  • Mt Ngauruhoe

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Northeast of Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe (2287m) is the national park's youngest volcano and the most classically perfect in its conical shape. Its first…

  • National Army Museum

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    At the southern end of the town, in a large, almost-Stalinist concrete castle, is the National Army Museum. Proclaimed as ‘history without the boring bits…

  • Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley

    Taupo

    This thermal walk (1.8km) on a secluded property explores the steaming banks of the Wairakei Stream and the deep pit of the Witches Cauldron. Kids will…

  • Mt Tongariro

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Ongoing rumbles are reminders that all the volcanoes in this area are very much in the land of the living. In 2012 Te Maari, a crater on Mt Tongariro …

  • Aratiatia Lookouts

    Taupo

    The best spot to watch the raging Aratiatia Rapids. The first lookout is an easy five-minute walk from the rapids' car park, while the upper lookout takes…

  • Huka Falls Lookout

    Taupo

    Excellent spot to view spectacular Huka Falls. From the car park, cross the bridge and turn left.

  • Te Ponanga Saddle

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    The Te Ponanga Saddle is southwest of Turangi.

  • Central Crater

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Mt Tongariro's central crater.

  • North Crater

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Mt Tongariro's north crater.

  • South Crater

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Mt Tongariro's south crater.

  • Red Crater

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Mt Tongariro's red crater.

  • Big Carrot

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Maybe not so much 'Don't Miss' as 'Impossible to Miss', this roadside tribute to Ōhakune's biggest crop was erected in 1984. Carrots were first grown in…

  • Butcher's Pool

    Taupo

    Named after one of the first settlers in Reporoa, this artificial pool is filled by a natural spring. Water levels can vary as a result, but with public…

  • Hot Water Beach

    Taupo

    At the end of the long town beach are patches of warm water right in front of a car park. It’s no Coromandel, but have a dig and you might find some…