Taupo

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Thinking Lake Taupo? Think fresh – fresh water, fresh snow, fresh air, fresh trout. A prime location in the centre of the North Island means just about any outdoor experience is within easy reach. Try water-skiing, parasailing, boating or kayaking. If you want to try catching one of Lake Taupo’s trout, hire a fishing guide to show you the best spots. Take your time in Taupo and make the most of what’s on offer.

Main Centres

Taupo – sparkling resort town, the centre of the region.

Getting There

By Air – Taupo Airport, 10 minutes from town, offers domestic flights.
By Road – 4 hours from Auckland, 5 hours from Wellington. Coach companies provide regular services.

Getting Around

Lake Taupo is an excellent region for exploring by car. Coach companies operate frequently between Taupo and other regional destinations. Shuttle services operate between central Taupo and popular visitor activities.

Eating Out

Exclusive

The Terraces Hotel Restaurant & Bar (80 – 100 Napier-Taupo Highway,
t +64 7 378 7080) – extensive wine and cocktail list, and Pacific Rim cuisine.
Edgewater Restaurant (245 Lake Tce, Taupo, t +64 7 378 5110) – award-winning dining on the water’s edge.
Pavilion Restaurant (SH1, Wairakei, t +64 7 377 8647) – à la carte menu prepared with attention to detail.
Villino Restaurant & Wine Bar (45 Horomatangi St, Taupo, t +64 7 377 4478) – European Cuisine created with the freshest Pacific ingredients.
The Brantry Restaurant (45 Rifle Range Rd, Taupo, t +64 7 378 0484) – contemporary New Zealand cuisine in stylish surroundings.
The Bach Restaurant (Cnr Lake Tce & Pataka Rd, Taupo, t +64 7 378 7856) – voted 2006 Best Provincial Restaurant in NZ by Cuisine Magazine.

Casual

Caboose Restaurant (100 – 102 Lake Tce, Taupo, t +64 7 376 0116) – breakfast and dinner overlooking the lake.
Chill Restaurant & Bar (Suncourt Motor Hotel & Conference Centre, Northcroft St, Taupo, t +64 7 378 8265) – lake-view dining and an open fire.
Jolly Good Fellows (76 – 80 Lake Tce, Taupo, t +64 7 378 0457) – Britain’s classic fare.
Peppers Brasserie (Millennium Hotel & Resort, 245 Lake Tce, Taupo, t +64 7 378 5110) – award-winning dining on the beach.
Huka Prawn Park Restaurant (Wairakei Park, Taupo, t +64 7 374 8474) – riverside location for al fresco dining with river views.
Breakers Café & Bar (29 Tongariro St, Taupo, t +64 7 378 3390) – surfing memorabilia and beach-life tunes.

Where to Drink

Stylish bar

The Terraces Hotel Restaurant & Bar (80 – 100 Napier – Taupo Highway,
Taupo, t +64 7 378 7080) – extensive wine and cocktail list.
Plateau (64 Tuwharetoa St, Taupo, t +64 7 377 2425) – Kiwi-inspired dishes.
19th Hole Bar (SH1, Wairakei Resort, t +64 7 674 8041) – perfect for an after-dinner cognac.
Bond Lounge Bar (40 Tuwharetoa St, Taupo, t +64 7 377 2434) – premium lounge bar, with inventive cocktails, imported beers and fantastic wine list.

Cosy pub

Caboose Bar (100 – 102 Lake Tce, Taupo, t +64 7 376 0116) – unwind with your favorite drink.
Finn MacCuhal’s Irish Pub (Cnr Tongariro & Tuwharetoa St, Taupo, t +64 7 378 6165) – Guinness the Irish would be proud of.
The Shed (18 Tuwharetoa St, Taupo, t +64 7 376 5393) – fantastic place to enjoy a great beer and watch sport.

Coffee Fix

Flax Licenced Café (5 Horomatangi St, Taupo, t +64 7 377 8052) – great food in contemporary surroundings.
Coffee Plus (11 Horomatangi St, Taupo, t +64 7 378 7244) – coffee, food and juices squeezed to order.
Zest Café (65 Rifle Range Rd, Taupo, t +64 7 378 5397) – voted Best Café in Central North Island 2004 & 2005.
Replete Café ( 45 Heu Heu St, Taupo, t +64 7 378 0606) – a Taupo institution.
Bees Knees Café (Huka Falls Loop Rd, Wairakei, t +64 7 374 8553) – relax over delicious food and honey ice-creams.
Fairways Café (SH1, Wairakei Resort, t +64 7 377 8649) – delicious café cuisine.

Something to Take Home

Kura (47a Heu Heu St, Taupo, t +64 7 377 4068) – specialising in contemporary New Zealand art and craft.
New Zealand Woodcraft (Wairakei Tourist Park, t +64 7 374 8555) – woodturning using native woods.
Wildwood Gallery (141 SH1, Taupo, t +64 7 377 0469) – woodturning using native and exotic woods.
Lava Glass (165 SH5, Wairakei, Taupo, t +64 7 374 8400) – watch glass blowing in action.

Sights

Lake Taupo, the largest fresh-water lake in Australasia – at 616 square kilometres in size, it’s as big as Singapore Island.
Be impressed by the sheer power of the Huka Falls – more than 220,000 litres of water cascade over the falls every second.

Action

Catch a jet-boat ride to Huka Falls – this is an unmissable breath-taking adventure.
Lake Taupo is the perfect place to try tandem sky-diving – more than 170,000 thrill-seekers have tried it here.

Relax

Play a round of golf on the lush green fairways of Taupo Golf Club or Wairakei International Golf Course (which has been rated one of the world’s top twenty courses by USA Golf Digest magazine).

Relax at one of the region’s thermal pools – whether you’re looking for a family-friendly setting or a luxury spa treatment, you’ll find it here.

THE experience

Cruising on Taupo’s iconic lake is the perfect way to make the most of your time in this region. Hop on-board a charter yacht or launch – and don’t forget your fishing tackle!

Did you know?

Notable Culture

Head out onto the lake to see New Zealand’s most striking Maori rock carving – that of the Maori Priest Ngatoroirangi at Mine Bay. It’s accessible only by water.

Moment in History

Trout are not native to New Zealand – they were introduced to the Taupo region in 1898 – but they’ve adapted so well that the local Rainbow Trout average 1.8kg and fish up to 3.6kg are not uncommon in winter.

Websites to Check Out

www.laketauponz.com
Lake Taupo Travel Information