1 Day - Highlights of Taupō

This morning experience the grandeur and beauty of Taupo from above as you take a flightseeing journey to the dual World Heritage listed Tongariro National Park. As you depart Taupo’s lakefront by sea plane or helicopter, you will climb for a stunning view of the vast lakeside settlements, bushclad bays and towering white cliffs.

Journey to the southern end of Lake Taupo, and peek into the crater of Mt Ruapehu, view the Tama Lakes, Mt Ngauruhoe, the Emerald Lakes and the many craters that make up this incredible landscape. This is a flightseeing experience with breathtaking views that never fail to impress.

Experience: Taupo’s Floatplane (Mt Ruapehu Scenic), Heli Adventure Flights (Mountain Magic)
Time Allowance: 1 hour   
Transfer time: Flightseeing to scenic cruise – 10 minutes

Upon returning to Taupo’s lakefront, climb onboard a scenic cruise and take in the sparkling crystal clear waters as you cruise the northern bays of New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake. Learn the myths, legends and history of the surrounding landscape before coming face to face with New Zealand’s most extraordinary artwork, the Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings. Towering 14 metres above the fresh, crisp waters of Lake Taupo these spectacular carvings, can only be viewed from the water. There will be plenty of photo opportunities, and be sure to keep an eye out for trout swimming and jumping in the waters beneath the stunning sculptures.

Experience: Chris Jolly Outdoors (Daily Scenic Cruise), Taupo Scenic Cruises (Ernest Kemp Maori Rock Carvings Cruise), Sail Barbary (Maori Rock Carvings Cruise), Kindred Spirit (Taupo Sailing Adventures)
Time allowance: 1 ½- 2 hours
Transfer time: Scenic cruise to towncentre – 5 minutes

The large range of cafes, restaurants and bars located along Taupo’s lakefront and within it’s compact towncentre offer the ideal location for a relaxing lunch, enjoying some of the many local produce options available.

Transfer time: Towncentre to Hukafalls Jet – 15 minutes

After a leisurely lunch it’s time to pick up the pace and combine two of New Zealand’s most iconic activities, jetboating and the famous Huka Falls. This half hour of fun, thrills and excitement takes you along the beautiful Waikato River lined with sheer rock faces, native bush and hot water streams.

You will experience exhilarating 360 degree spins and awesome speeds before reaching the base of the thundering Huka Falls. From your unique vantage point on the jetboat you will experience the best water level views as you feel the power of these awesome falls.

Experience: Hukafalls Jet
Time allowance: 1 hour
Transfer Time: Hukafalls jet to hot pools – Between 10 to 20 minutes

Your Taupo experience concludes this afternoon, as you sit back, and relax in the calming waters of a geothermal hot pool. The clays and waters of the Taupo thermal valleys have been highly valued by the local Maori’s for their healing and thereauputic powers for generations. Take the opportunity to soak at the base of silica terraces, or in your own private thermal pool, guaranteed to leave you warm long after you have left their special waters.

Experience: Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa (general pool admission), Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs (general or private pool admission)
Time Allowance: From 1 hour