Guidebook for Taupo

Dierdrei & Richard
Guidebook for Taupo

Food Scene

Cafe Baku has gorgeous Calamari with a beautiful seasoning. It can be quite busy in here, lovely decor though.
42 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Cafe Baku
42 Roberts St
42 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Cafe Baku has gorgeous Calamari with a beautiful seasoning. It can be quite busy in here, lovely decor though.
Kefi is family friendly with a small play area with great toys. Kefi sells food with a greek flavour. I love their calamari salad and their haloumi, artichoke and mushroom salad with some hot smoked salmon. Great customer service. They stay open until 5 to 5:30 which is later than most other cafe's in town.
12 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Kefi
47 Horomātangi St
12 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Kefi is family friendly with a small play area with great toys. Kefi sells food with a greek flavour. I love their calamari salad and their haloumi, artichoke and mushroom salad with some hot smoked salmon. Great customer service. They stay open until 5 to 5:30 which is later than most other cafe's in town.
I love the Creme Brulee and the hot chips with parmesan, coriander and chipolte mayo. The customer service is friendly and there is an outdoor playground for the children.
17 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Spoon & Paddle
101 Te Heuheu St
17 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
I love the Creme Brulee and the hot chips with parmesan, coriander and chipolte mayo. The customer service is friendly and there is an outdoor playground for the children.
Espresso Cove make great hot chips. It is also in a gorgeous spot right next to the lake with gorgeous views and is dog friendly ( If your dog sits outside) A good selection of whole foods here. Gorgeous spot on a rainy day due to all the glass windows.
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Espresso Cove
1 Lowell Pl
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Espresso Cove make great hot chips. It is also in a gorgeous spot right next to the lake with gorgeous views and is dog friendly ( If your dog sits outside) A good selection of whole foods here. Gorgeous spot on a rainy day due to all the glass windows.
We love the food at the Plateau, it is so tasty and the desserts are gorgeous. The Plateau has a relaxing ambience and in the bar area a good buzz for a night out with wine and socialising, not too noisy to enjoy a chat. Another local favourite.
48 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Plateau Bar + Eatery
64 Tūwharetoa St
48 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
We love the food at the Plateau, it is so tasty and the desserts are gorgeous. The Plateau has a relaxing ambience and in the bar area a good buzz for a night out with wine and socialising, not too noisy to enjoy a chat. Another local favourite.
The Bistro has pretty special food. We have never been disappointed here. Their catchphrase is Simple but Nice but I disagree, I think the food is pretty outstanding. Another local favourite.
41 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The Bistro
17 Tamamutu St
41 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The Bistro has pretty special food. We have never been disappointed here. Their catchphrase is Simple but Nice but I disagree, I think the food is pretty outstanding. Another local favourite.
The Brantry is a locals restaurant, well liked and a solid reputation. The food is usually really good. A good place to treat yourself.
57 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The Brantry Restaurant
45 Rifle Range Rd
57 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The Brantry is a locals restaurant, well liked and a solid reputation. The food is usually really good. A good place to treat yourself.
It is a lovely drive out to Cafe L'arte. This coffee shop is worth a visit if you enjoy art galleries and looking a beautiful things. The grounds are lovely to walk around and there are plenty of interesting sculptures to see. A great shop if you need to buy a special present for someone. The chocolate brownies, warmed, with cream are really very lovely. They often have live music on Sundays during the summer in their outside ampitheatre. Good for families here with the outside green space to run around in.
70 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
L'arté Cafe & Gallery
255 Mapara Rd
70 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
It is a lovely drive out to Cafe L'arte. This coffee shop is worth a visit if you enjoy art galleries and looking a beautiful things. The grounds are lovely to walk around and there are plenty of interesting sculptures to see. A great shop if you need to buy a special present for someone. The chocolate brownies, warmed, with cream are really very lovely. They often have live music on Sundays during the summer in their outside ampitheatre. Good for families here with the outside green space to run around in.
The Hub is connected to the local helicopter ride activity. The Hub Cafe also has a large helicopter for the children to play in which is pretty cool. Family Friendly and often busy in Summer. There is also a little mini mountain bike track for kids just across the road.
The Hub Cafe
415 Huka Falls Road
The Hub is connected to the local helicopter ride activity. The Hub Cafe also has a large helicopter for the children to play in which is pretty cool. Family Friendly and often busy in Summer. There is also a little mini mountain bike track for kids just across the road.
A good rainy day activity. Here you can buy anything you can think of related to honey. It is a great education centre to learn about bee's, see them, for children wear a bee suit, bee related children activities and honey tastings. For the grown ups there is plenty of honey flavoured alchohol tastings available, mead and the like. You can buy gorgeous Kapiti icecream here, lovely on a hot day. Our favourites are the chocolate and the Black Doris plum.
24 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Huka Honey Hive
65 Karetoto Rd
24 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
A good rainy day activity. Here you can buy anything you can think of related to honey. It is a great education centre to learn about bee's, see them, for children wear a bee suit, bee related children activities and honey tastings. For the grown ups there is plenty of honey flavoured alchohol tastings available, mead and the like. You can buy gorgeous Kapiti icecream here, lovely on a hot day. Our favourites are the chocolate and the Black Doris plum.

Everything Else

This hotel is a lovely spot to relax at, have a coffee and cake and enjoy the views. The decor inside is sumptuous and comfortable and peaceful and quiet. You can drive here or walk along the lake and walk in as it is directly on the lakes edge.
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo
243 Lake Terrace
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
This hotel is a lovely spot to relax at, have a coffee and cake and enjoy the views. The decor inside is sumptuous and comfortable and peaceful and quiet. You can drive here or walk along the lake and walk in as it is directly on the lakes edge.

Arts & Culture

Lava glass has a cafe, You can also book in to watch the artists blowing glass and they will talk to you about the process and what they create. There is a shop if you want to buy any of the glass art. You can also pay to walk around their glass art garden which is really very beautiful, lots of gorgeous and clever glass sculptures in a lovely setting.
50 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Lava Glass - สตูดิโอการเป่าแก้ว, สวนประติมากรรม, แกลเลอรีศิลป์, ร้านกาแฟ
165 State Hwy 5
50 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Lava glass has a cafe, You can also book in to watch the artists blowing glass and they will talk to you about the process and what they create. There is a shop if you want to buy any of the glass art. You can also pay to walk around their glass art garden which is really very beautiful, lots of gorgeous and clever glass sculptures in a lovely setting.

Parks & Nature

Craters of the Moon is a walk around a geothermal area. You will see lots of steam rising from the ground, some mud pools and maybe smell some sulphur. The walk is suitable for prams ( if they are a good pram) As it is boardwalked for a lot of the way and a gravel path for the rest.
42 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
หลุมพะยูนของจันทร์
171 Karapiti Rd
42 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Craters of the Moon is a walk around a geothermal area. You will see lots of steam rising from the ground, some mud pools and maybe smell some sulphur. The walk is suitable for prams ( if they are a good pram) As it is boardwalked for a lot of the way and a gravel path for the rest.
The Wairakei Thermal park is family friendly. There is a cafe, outdoor play area, free range animals and a geothermal walk. The owner, John, will often give you a device to take with you on the walk so that you can check the temperature of the ground as you walk around. There are Llamas here that roam freely, alongside a large amount of chickens, ducks, peacocks. There is a large KuneKune native New Zealand pig and lots of bunny rabbits. There is an outdoor playarea for children with wooden go karts for children to go down the hill on and other toys to play with.
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The Wairakei Thermal park is family friendly. There is a cafe, outdoor play area, free range animals and a geothermal walk. The owner, John, will often give you a device to take with you on the walk so that you can check the temperature of the ground as you walk around. There are Llamas here that roam freely, alongside a large amount of chickens, ducks, peacocks. There is a large KuneKune native New Zealand pig and lots of bunny rabbits. There is an outdoor playarea for children with wooden go karts for children to go down the hill on and other toys to play with.
A great spot for a picnic or a quiet stroll. The reserve is situated high on a hill with occasional views over Great Lake Taupo & the mountains of the Tongariro National Park. The reserve is free to visit and is filled with native trees and plants that are developed and beautifully maintained by dedicated volunteers.
24 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Waipahihi Botanical Gardens
Shepherd Road
24 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
A great spot for a picnic or a quiet stroll. The reserve is situated high on a hill with occasional views over Great Lake Taupo & the mountains of the Tongariro National Park. The reserve is free to visit and is filled with native trees and plants that are developed and beautifully maintained by dedicated volunteers.
The steep track that takes you to the top of Mt Tauhara is a great adventure. The views from the top are spectacular and well worth the effort. After an initial steep slog through farmland the track traverses through native bush. I walked up with two of my kids when they were 6 & 8 years old and they thoroughly enjoyed it - especially all the mud! It took us about 1.5h to reach the top and about 45mins to come down. Be sure to go on a clear day and take plenty of water and chocolate!
10 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Mount Tauhara Car Park
94 Mountain Rd
10 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The steep track that takes you to the top of Mt Tauhara is a great adventure. The views from the top are spectacular and well worth the effort. After an initial steep slog through farmland the track traverses through native bush. I walked up with two of my kids when they were 6 & 8 years old and they thoroughly enjoyed it - especially all the mud! It took us about 1.5h to reach the top and about 45mins to come down. Be sure to go on a clear day and take plenty of water and chocolate!
Whakaipo Bay can often be deserted when other lakefront spots are packed. It's a great place to swim and there is a short bush walk. It's also the start of the "W2K" Whakipo to Kinloch track (shared by mountain bikers & hikers) which forms part of the Great Lake Trail.
12 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Whakaipo Bay
12 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Whakaipo Bay can often be deserted when other lakefront spots are packed. It's a great place to swim and there is a short bush walk. It's also the start of the "W2K" Whakipo to Kinloch track (shared by mountain bikers & hikers) which forms part of the Great Lake Trail.
This is my absolutely number one favourite walk. It is a 5km walk in a loop around the edge of a small lake. There aren't many people on the track and the NZ Robins love to interact with you whilst you walk. The walk is through bush at times and on the lakes edge at times. It is absolutely silent and serene and is a very special place indeed.
Rotopounamu Track
Te Ponanga Saddle Road
This is my absolutely number one favourite walk. It is a 5km walk in a loop around the edge of a small lake. There aren't many people on the track and the NZ Robins love to interact with you whilst you walk. The walk is through bush at times and on the lakes edge at times. It is absolutely silent and serene and is a very special place indeed.

Sightseeing

No visit to Taupo would be complete without visiting Huka Falls! The viewing areas are only a few minutes stroll from the carpark, or to make a day of it by walking along the river from Spa Park (about 1.5h hours each way). Huka Falls is free to visit.
205 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Huka Falls station
205 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
No visit to Taupo would be complete without visiting Huka Falls! The viewing areas are only a few minutes stroll from the carpark, or to make a day of it by walking along the river from Spa Park (about 1.5h hours each way). Huka Falls is free to visit.
This is my favourite muddy puddle! Definitely worth popping in for a brief visit if you're heading through the Waiotapu area (about 30mins drive). The mud pool is free and you can pretty much park right next to it. Gloopy ploppy bubbly goodness for all ages. Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is also just around the corner (admission charges apply).
Mud Pool
This is my favourite muddy puddle! Definitely worth popping in for a brief visit if you're heading through the Waiotapu area (about 30mins drive). The mud pool is free and you can pretty much park right next to it. Gloopy ploppy bubbly goodness for all ages. Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is also just around the corner (admission charges apply).
We haven't got around to this one yet, but people who have been there rave about it!
38 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
สวนธรรมชาติ Orakei Korako Geothermal & Cave
494 Orākei Kōrako Rd
38 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
We haven't got around to this one yet, but people who have been there rave about it!

Entertainment & Activities

Mountain Biking in Taupo is huge and there are some great tracks at "Craters MTB park" (on the way to "craters of the moon", Wairakei). If you don't have your mountain bike with you there are a few places in town (and one in Wairakei) that rent them out. Craters is only 10mins out of town, or you can cycle from Spa Park along the "Rotary Ride" mtb track (takes about 45mins). More info and map of the MTB tracks here: https://www.biketaupo.org.nz/craters.html For a more gentle cycling experience, we have an old bike that you're welcome to borrow for a tootle around the lake - the "Lions walk" shared walking/cycling path starts at Lake Terrace and follows the lake as far as Five Mile Bay.
14 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Craters of the Moon Mountain Bike Trails
Poihipi Road
14 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Mountain Biking in Taupo is huge and there are some great tracks at "Craters MTB park" (on the way to "craters of the moon", Wairakei). If you don't have your mountain bike with you there are a few places in town (and one in Wairakei) that rent them out. Craters is only 10mins out of town, or you can cycle from Spa Park along the "Rotary Ride" mtb track (takes about 45mins). More info and map of the MTB tracks here: https://www.biketaupo.org.nz/craters.html For a more gentle cycling experience, we have an old bike that you're welcome to borrow for a tootle around the lake - the "Lions walk" shared walking/cycling path starts at Lake Terrace and follows the lake as far as Five Mile Bay.