Your complete travel guide: IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupō

With its epic scenery, manaakitanga (warm hospitality), pre and post-event experience and incredible network of more than 2000 volunteers it's not hard to see why the Taupō IRONMAN is considered one of the world's best. In fact, Kellogg's Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand was voted the world's best in 2017.

For athlete's families, Taupō is the ultimate IRONMAN supporters' holiday destination, with plenty of family-friendly things to do, activities for every age and level of adventurousness, excellent accommodation and places to eat.

Easily reached by a short 45-minute flight from Auckland or Wellington, or an easy drive from the North Island's six largest cities, Taupō's towns, peaceful lakeside and riverside villages offer accommodation options that include boutique and luxury lodges, lakeside hotels and motels, apartments, backpackers, camping and holiday parks, unique bed and breakfast properties and Airbnb options. 

At the centre of our region is the sparkling Lake Taupō, the great inland sea of New Zealand. Travelling around the lake reveals every kind of landscape you can imagine - snow-blanketed ski fields and alpine deserts including the UNESCO dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park, ancient forests alive with birdsong and crisscrossed with magical walk and bike trails, trout-filled rivers offering magnificent fly-fishing, steaming geothermal valleys with natural and rejuvenating hot pools and the thundering Huka Falls. 

Taupō town has a cosmopolitan town centre full of cafes, restaurants and bars serving great food, excellent coffee, locally brewed craft beer and wine, and organic and free-range local produce. The streets are lined with boutique shops, galleries and art sculptures. Families enjoy the many public spaces and children's playgrounds.

Adventure, discovery and wonder await you.

About: IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, Taupō

14 & 15 December 2024

Taupō will host the very best professional and age group triathletes from all corners of the globe over the weekend of December 14 & 15, 2024. This will be the first time the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship has been held in New Zealand and no better place than the home of IRONMAN New Zealand and IRONMAN 70.3 Taupō, where the best of New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery is showcased, thanks to the pure Kiwi spirit, you will feel like a local the minute you arrive.

The race itself will feature a swim in one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, a bike course through New Zealand’s renowned rural landscape and a run course that takes in views of the lakefront that will be lined with spectator and local support.

Find out more about the IRONMAN race course, event schedule, and athlete and spectator information at the Official IRONMAN website.

Healthy places to eat in Taupō

Lining the cabinets of many of Taupō's favourite eateries, you will find healthy and delicious food options ranging from seasonal salads to iron-rich Taupō beef and an excellent array of paleo and keto-friendly cafes. Athlete favourites include Cafe Baku, Kefi and Kefi at the Hub, The Cozy Corner, The Storehouse and Bodyfuel Cafe. If it's time for that well-earned treat, you won't be disappointed either - discover many more excellent cafes, restaurants and bars here.