Serene experiences
Once you’re settled into your fine Taupō stay, you may never want to leave. The choice is yours—hunker down and let the pampering begin, or launch out to enjoy the best of the spectacular scenery and activities on offer. But why not make it a combo and experience the best of both worlds?
With New Zealand’s—and the southern hemisphere’s—biggest freshwater lake lapping at your toes, you’ll want to explore that big blue expanse. Hop aboard the luxury catamaran Tiua and set sail as nature guides you across the sparkling waters. Eco-sailing doesn’t get much better than a sunset cruise to the extraordinary Māori Rock Carvings. The Tiua can be booked for scheduled and private cruises.
On land, the shores of Lake Taupō are peppered with quiet bush trails perfect for some refreshing forest bathing—there’s nothing quite like a gentle stroll amongst ancient forest giants to boost the spirits. Just beyond Turangi, follow a 5-km loop trail through native forest to the crystal clear waters of Lake Rotopounamu. Or take a gentle guided walk through the lush podocarp forest in historic Ōpepe Reserve.
If you want to put a little muscle into exploring the outdoors, a guided kayak tour on the Waikato River is easy when you start upstream and quietly drift downstream past volcanic cliffs and fern-covered river banks finishing just above the Huka Falls.
Premium adventures
Many Taupõ visitors come to tackle the world-famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing but you don’t have to be a hiker to get a close look at the volcanic wonders that this trail reveals. Take a thrilling, scenic helicopter flight from Taupō across Lake Taupō and into UNESCO Dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park. The breathtaking flight path travels over the iconic active volcanoes—Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu—with an exclusive alpine landing for panoramic views.
Dreaming of getting away from absolutely everything—apart from your comforts? At Owhaoko, you can have exquisite privacy and a 7000-ha wilderness to yourselves. To stay here, you will helicopter into a remote alpine sanctuary that’s a true wilderness experience of total solitude, no roads, no people, no cell coverage, no stress. Surrounded by vast forests, the two-bedroom Te Whare Ruruhau cabin has all the luxuries including an extra large outdoor bathtub. They call it ‘wild perfection’.
Local operators Taupō Private Tours and Transfers offer luxury Mercedes-Benz transportation and helicopter transfers and tours from Taupō Airport.
Pure relaxation
For pure relaxation it’s hard to better a long, luxurious soak in mineral-rich, naturally heated, healing geothermal waters. Imagine the pure bliss of doing absolutely nothing, just soaking in the warmth of a natural hot spring. You’ll find hot spots in the water at various points around Lake Taupō inviting you to soak your cares away naturally.
Among geothermal experiences, the pink and white silica-lined adults-only pools at Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa offer outstanding surroundings for a dose of healing warmth. Warm up in the coolest then move up gradually into the hottest pool while letting the silica-enriched waters give your skin a natural treat. Add on a therapeutic massage to rejuvenate and balance your body and mind.
The Hilton Hotel has a suite of outdoor hot pools, a cold plunge pool, sauna and wellness facilities for guests. In the same steaming thermal valley, Taupō DeBretts Hot Springs offers a pool menu that includes freshwater pools and spa pools, relaxing massages and pampering with luscious beauty treatments at the day spa.
Reopened in March 2025 after a magnificent $25M refit, Huka Lodge has added discreet new wellness and spa facilities set within the tranquil surroundings of its Internationally acclaimed gardens.