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Getting outside in winter
Just because New Zealand weather in winter gets nippy, doesn’t mean it’s time to forget about the outdoors. Taupo is stunning during the winter months, so rug up warm and experience the best winter activities New Zealand has to offer.
Taupo is the perfect destination to have a memorable New Zealand snow holiday and address any winter health problems. Heading out on a winter adventure boasts positives for not only your physical health, but your mental health too. Here are some of our favourite winter wonderland activities to explore.
Ski trips
Skiing and snow activities have been proven to be beneficial for winter wellness by aiding stress relief and managing your mental health. Not only is this a low-impact way to get your body moving while being easy on your bones and muscles, it’s also a peaceful way to take in the picturesque views Taupo have to offer.
The Whakapapa Ski Area is a must-do, especially with the newly installed Sky Waka Gondola which is the first of its kind in New Zealand and the largest in the country. Not only is the architecture impressive, but it has panoramic coast-to-coast views of the entire central plateau that will most certainly take your breath away! Make sure you stop at the Knoll Ridge Chalet at the top for a hot chocolate or lunch too.
Cycling
Cycling in Taupo is an ideal way to get around and take in all of the beautiful scenery at once. The Taupo region has some of the best mountain biking in New Zealand with purpose-built trails to suit every type of bike rider. Explore the trails on your own, hire a bike, take a guided trip or book a multi-day package – there are experiences for everyone, no matter your skill level or cycle experience.
Take a journey of discovery along these incredible rides throughout the region with the award-winning Great Lake Pathway in Taupo town.
Want to explore a little more? Check out some of our favourite spots:
- Tongariro River Trail in Turangi
- Huka Trails in Taupo Town
- Great Lake Trails in Kinloch
- Craters Mountain Bike Park in Wairakei Forest, Taupo Town
- Waikato River Trails in Mangakino
- Timber Trail in Pureora Forest Park
- Tree Trunk Gorge and Te Iringa in Kaimanawa Forest Park
Venturing outside in the winter months will mean your body needs to work a little bit harder to stay warm, so remember to pack snacks and water to refuel yourself along the way.
Warm up with a geothermal pools experience
After all that activity, it’s time to warm up and relax your muscles in the geothermal pools that Taupo is famous for! At Wairakei Terraces you can bathe in mineral and silica enriched thermal pools uniquely situated below magnificent silica terraces and waterfall.
So, if you’re looking for holiday destination where you can relax and explore, Taupo is the place!
Short walks in the Tongariro National Park
This world-renowned dual World Heritage National Park, Tongariro National Park, literally begins a 10-minute drive away on Turangi’s doorstep and boasts some of the most pristine native forest left in New Zealand.
Our top picks are the Lake Rotopounamu Track, a 5km loop track which takes you through bird-filled, native forest to this spectacular hidden lake - also known as “Greenstone Lake” because of its deep green colour. At the eastern-end of Lake Rotopounamu is the sweeping white sandy beach known as “Long Beach”, somewhat unexpected in this native forest paradise.
