Discover Taupo's incredible scenic wonders by bike

Ride, walk or run – it’s up to you! The Huka Trails have multiple access points and you can complete them in either direction so you can tailor your trail experience to suit your schedule – from a couple of hours to a full day, there is plenty to see and do along the way. Most sections of the trail are an easy grade 1-2, whilst some parts are grade 3 intermediate.

If you don’t own a bike, no problem - Taupo is lucky to have several bike retailers and rental operators catering to the bustling mountain biking community, with e-bikes available too! Head in-store to rent your gear and the team will point you in the direction of the Huka Trails which are easily accessible from Taupo town - you can either start at the Control Gates Bridge, Spa Thermal Park or ride from the town centre.

Taupo town bike hire:

• Pack & Pedal Taupo: 5 Tamamutu Street, Taupo town
• Bikesale: Corner of Gascoigne and Tamamutu Streets, Taupo town
• Torpedo7: 41 Tamamutu Street, Taupo town

The Hub bike hire:

• FourB Bike Hire: 413 Huka Falls Road, Wairakei

AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy & Swing

Access from the River Side Trail

As you wind your way around the River Side Trail from Control Gates Bridge you will pass Cherry Island, an idyllic setting amongst sheer cliffs and emerald green crystal-clear waters. From here, you may be able to hear the excitement from bungy jumpers echoing down the gully as they leap from a platform high above the waters of the Waikato River! Follow the trail up to AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy & Swing, famed for its awe-inspiring location, and face your fears at New Zealand’s only clifftop bungy site.

Otumuheke Stream

Access from Spa Thermal Park (Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls walk)

Taupo is a geothermal wonderland - the benefits of which have been celebrated by locals and visitors for hundreds of years. Be sure to pack your togs and towel and call by the natural geothermal hot pools of Otumuheke Stream! Located in Spa Thermal Park the popular bathing spot sits where warm geothermal waters gently flow from Otumuheke Stream into the Waikato River. There are changing rooms available here, as well as coffee from the #LOVEOTUMUHEKE Café before you carry on to the mighty Huka Falls via the Rotary Ride (cyclists only) or Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls walk (walkers only).

Huka Honey Hive

Access from Wairakei Tourist Track and Karetoto Road

The kids will love this stop! Call in and check out New Zealand’s largest collection of artisan honey products and learn about the humble honeybee on a Huka Honey Hive tour. Adults can enjoy mead and liqueur tastings while the kids look at the live beehive display or grab an ice cream or sweet treat from Café Hive @65.

Hukafalls Jet

Access from Wairakei Tourist Track and Karetoto Road

You may see the 360˚-spinning action from the clifftops or hear the roar of twin V8 engines veering up and down the river. This is the sound of Hukafalls Jet - one of the country’s most iconic tourism operators. The 14-seater jet boats transport visitors on the stretch of river between Aratiatia Dam and the base of the Huka Falls – giving you a whole new perspective on the falls. If you want to give it a spin head down Karetoto Road off the Wairakei Tourist Track.

Huka Prawn Park

Access from Wairakei Tourist Track and Karetoto Road

If you're hungry or have the kids in tow, make a stop at New Zealand’s only Prawn Park. With prawn fishing, outdoor games, water activities and hatchery tours you could easily spend a couple of hours here. Indulge in a prawn feast at the Riverside Restaurant overlooking the Waikato River before you get back on your bike.

Wairakei Terraces

Access from Wairakei Resort Track, Aratiatia Loop trail

The perfect après trail activity. Soak those weary muscles in geothermally heated natural hot pools at the adults only Wairakei Terraces. Pools of varying temperatures have been strategically positioned below silica terraces and waterfalls, taking full advantage of the geothermal water flow that is drawn to the earth’s surface from 1.5km underground. You may want to keep this activity for your last stop of the day!

Kefi at The Hub

Access from Café Track, Wairakei Tourist Track, Junk and Disorderly

Right across from the Craters Mountain Bike Park at The Hub you can pull in for a snack, hearty lunch or a coffee! You won't miss it, as there is a giant Sikorsky helicopter on the grounds. Kefi at The Hub is the perfect place to rest your legs and fuel up in-between bike rides.

Aratiatia Dam and Rapids 

Access from Huka Falls to Aratiatia Dam trail, Aratiatia Loop trail

The Aratiatia Dam has been generating hydro power since 1964 and the daily opening of the gates creates quite the spectacle. Witness thousands of litres of rushing water being released from the Dam down through the Aratiatia Rapids. Check out the Dam opening times and plan this into your journey:

Summer – October to March
4 times a day at: 10am - 12pm - 2pm - 4pm

Winter – April to September
3 times a day at: 10am - 12pm - 2pm

Did you know that the Aratiatia Rapids featured in Peter Jackson's movie, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug? The scene where the Dwarves are escaping the Elves by hiding in barrels that were thrown down stream!

Huka Falls River Cruise

Access from Huka Falls to Aratiatia Dam trail, Aratiatia Loop trail

The family- friendly Huka Falls River Cruise operates from their base at the Aratiatia Dam up to the Huka Falls. The 80-minute cruise glides alongside native bush lined riverbanks where you can see natural hot streams and abundant bird life as you travel towards the base of the Huka Falls – providing the perfect spot for photographs. What’s more, the purpose-built riverboat offers indoor seating so if the weather packs in it doesn’t mean your adventure has to!