Summer holiday checklist for young explorers
Let the kids take the lead and get into the flow on their own Taupō adventures these holidays — while grown-ups take a well-deserved break. From earning bragging rights by snaring wily trout to taking the plunge from thrilling heights, here’s how to have an epic Taupō family holiday.
Take a swing at the legendary Taupō Hole in One Challenge, where landing a ball on the floating green might just win you $10,000 and serious family bragging rights.
For some friendly rivalry closer to the ground, conquer the mini golf courses of Taupō. At Swingers Putt Putt at The Landing, putt your way around quirky Central Plateau landmarks, or head to Taupō Mini Golf on the lakefront, where the volcanic mountains of Tongariro National Park provide a stunning backdrop to the challenging greens.
Older kids can step up their game at Kinloch Golf Club, a world-class course with sweeping lake views and championship-level challenges. Whether it’s mini golf, floating targets, or the full 18 holes, everyone can putt for glory in Taupō.
Become an expert fly fisher on the world-renowned Tongariro River, just a short drive from Taupō in Tūrangi. This legendary river is home to wily trout — and even wilier local guides — who are more than happy to share their secrets through kid-friendly lessons.
Or, for an (almost) guaranteed fresh catch, head to the Tongariro National Trout Centre in Tūrangi, where budding anglers can peek at live trout, explore hands-on exhibits, and book a fishing session at the trout pond. Take your catch home, or have it smoked onsite.
The trout that outsmart anglers on the Tongariro often end up lurking in the depths of Lake Taupō. Book a fishing charter to get close to the action, with some operators even offering onboard chefs to cook your catch fresh from the lake.
And if patience isn’t your kid’s strong suit, Huka Prawn Park is the answer. Armed with a line and a net, they can chase freshwater prawns around an enclosure before handing them over to the chefs for a one-of-a-kind, self-caught family feast.
Freefall from 16,500 feet on a tandem skydive with epic views of the lake and mountains, or parasail high above the water, solo or with a parent to share the ride.
The thrills keep coming on pumice-packed trails at Craters Mountain Bike Park, where every ride tests your mettle. Open year-round, this custom-built MTB haven boasts free-draining soils and a dedicated team crafting top-notch tracks.
Got kids hitting double digits? Celebrate by making the leap — bungy jump or swing 47 metres above the Waikato River, choosing between a heart-pounding dunk or a dry plunge. Available to daredevils aged 10 years and older.
For indoor adventures, scale new heights at Taupō Rockwall at AC Baths, or test nerves on Rock’n Ropes’ high ropes course, featuring bridges, wire spans, and a giant free-fall arc swing. Or let them burn off energy powering through the Ninja course at The Dropzone Taupō.
Hand the helm over to the kids to captain a doughnut-shaped boat across a volcanic caldera, complete with tunes and tasty fare, on a quirky and relaxing family adventure with Doughboats Lake Taupō. Feel like true captains — no special licence required.
Cruise to the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori rock carvings onboard a leisure launch, sailing yacht or even a jet ski! These towering artworks, only accessible by water, blend cultural immersion and scenery shaped by deep tectonic forces.
It doesn’t get much faster than jet boating into the eddies and swirling waters below the thunderous Huka Falls, complete with 360-degree spins, or hanging on as your rubber raft rides white-water rapids near Tūrangi. Look out for whio/blue duck, New Zealand’s native white-water champions.
Go wild with water play at the AC Baths or Taupō DeBretts Spa Resort, both offering thermally heated pools and awesome hydro slides for hours of aquatic fun.
Follow in the footsteps of eco-warriors who saved Pureora Forest Park from logging in the 1980s. This ancient forest close to Taupō has family-friendly walking trails, lookout towers to clamber up and listen for the calls of kōkako, and the challenge of bagging Mount Pureora for adventurous families.
Venture onto otherworldly landscapes pockmarked with geothermal activity, where mighty forces bubble and gurgle. Explore the Craters of the Moon geothermal walk or Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave to witness bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and colourful silica terraces.
Discover the buzz at the Huka Honey Hive, where kids can watch live beehives, pose as a giant bee for photos, and sample delicious local honey — a sweet, educational outing.
For younger eco-warriors, Lilliput Farm offers up-close encounters with friendly farm animals like donkeys and llamas. Little ones can enjoy cuddle times with bunnies and guinea pigs, making it a perfect stop for budding nature ninjas.
