Spring is the perfect excuse— we say — to look for some pampering and a taste of pure pleasure in a sublime setting. What nicer way to get yourself ready for summer, and where better than Taupō?
Naturally good for your soul escapes come in all shades around Lake Taupō. Start with the pristine blue lake, stunning alpine vistas, ancient forests and healing geothermal waters, add a vibrant accommodation and hospitality scene, and Taupō has every element to set the scene for a pleasurable luxury break for yourself, your couple or your bosom buddies.
When it comes to luxury, Taupō flies under the radar which is surprising for the home of New Zealand’s original and oldest luxury lodge, Huka Lodge. Long before, luxury travel was ‘a thing’, kings and queens, princes and princesses, rulers and pop stars were finding sanctuary in Taupō and the pure pleasure of being themselves in a place of discreet privacy and attention.
Luxury comes in many forms and means different things to different folks. But, whether you’re looking for the luxury of full service where every need is met or complete solitude where you can be totally at one with the earth, Taupō comes up trumps. There is a wide range of private luxury villas, smaller boutique lodge-style accommodations, upmarket bed and breakfasts and gorgeous glamping sites.
The Hilton Taupō is a 5-star experience with superb facilities that include heated outdoor pools, a wellness and fitness centre and tennis courts. The storied history of the original Terraces Hotel (est. 1889) comes to life on the walls of the beautifully refurbished 19th century timber building that houses Bistro Lago restaurant, cafe and lounges. Accommodation is next door in smart, spacious apartments that enjoy wide views of the lake and forested valley behind.
Majestically perched on a secluded hilltop high above Lake Taupō, Kinloch Manor & Villas is a bold architectural statement of contemporary luxury accommodation. The main lodge has been designed to make the most of the unforgettable lake views, the fairways and greens of the 18-hole golf course it sits within. Guests enjoy stylish modern villa-style accommodation, and the blissful pleasures of a serene spa facility with comprehensive services.
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.
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.
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.
You don’t have to go far around town or the region to discover that Taupō harbours a fine bunch of restaurants doing fresh, local flavours with great flair like Bistro Lago at The Hilton and Lionel’s.
Newcomer Embra is making waves after only three years in business. This intimate 30-seat restaurant in Taupō town has already earned two prestigious hats—one of only 32 two-hatted restaurants in New Zealand—awarded by NZ Cuisine along with the title of Regional Restaurant of the Year (2024). Local-born executive chef Phil and front-of-house Nora Blackburne are a talented team bringing together Michelin-trained fine dining and Kiwi/Latvian flair.
Long-standing local dining legend Jude Messenger of The Bistro has earned his share of Cuisine hats over the years, rising to two-hats in 2025. His modest little restaurant has been serving up fine European-style dining since 2012 and it just keeps getting better. The Cuisine judges commended The Bistro for “real food done well … skilful, creative and accessible”.
Close by, The Brantry is an iconic Taupō fine-dining experience serving modern New Zealand cuisine in a refined, intimate ambience with an arty bent. The seasonal menu is inventive and beautifully plated, and the team can prepare bespoke vegetarian mains on request using locally sourced ingredients.
The Brantry is one of three Cuisine destination-designated eateries, along with Plateau Bar & Eatery and The Hare & Copper in Tūrangi.
