Guidebook for Taupo
The Bay Bar and Brasserie
Just over a kilometre downhill is the local restaurant. Easy dining with the added ambience of an open fire. Pizzas are a speciality. Open 12-10pm (Closed Monday)
Within strolling distance (1km) up the road, on a recently completed concrete path, it has great ambience. Quirky, with garden mosaic furniture and an arts gift shop. Great food and coffee. Closed Mondays.
70 locals recommend
L'arté Cafe & Gallery
255 Mapara RdWithin strolling distance (1km) up the road, on a recently completed concrete path, it has great ambience. Quirky, with garden mosaic furniture and an arts gift shop. Great food and coffee. Closed Mondays.
Drinks & Nightlife
Downtown,Tuwharetoa Street has most of Taupo's hospitality sites, with others nearby including fast foods. Outside of holiday periods, it can be a little quiet, but the range of options is good.
Essentially for the young at heart, it is the most lively area in town.
342 locals recommend
Street 08
Street 08Essentially for the young at heart, it is the most lively area in town.
Sightseeing
While the mountain can be a must do day trip, or the iconic 19km Tongariro Crossing in summer, there are lots of easy walks and places to enjoy.
Waikato River forced through a narrow gorge. A 1hr walking track leads from Spa Park along the Waikato river, passing the popular Hot Stream, where there are free bathing facilities in a natural setting.
205 locals recommend
Huka Falls station
Waikato River forced through a narrow gorge. A 1hr walking track leads from Spa Park along the Waikato river, passing the popular Hot Stream, where there are free bathing facilities in a natural setting.
From this location on Mountain Road, off the Napier-Taupo Road, the climb starts of Mt Tauhara. Firstly steeply up farmland, then through regenerating bush, the 1.5hr walk follows a track up to the summit. Quicker coming down!
10 locals recommend
Mount Tauhara Car Park
94 Mountain RdFrom this location on Mountain Road, off the Napier-Taupo Road, the climb starts of Mt Tauhara. Firstly steeply up farmland, then through regenerating bush, the 1.5hr walk follows a track up to the summit. Quicker coming down!
Going right to the end of Acacia Bay Road, a parking area before the gated community, gives access to a fairly flat 20 min walk through bush around the lakeshore, past a little jetty and a cave, arriving at a flat rock platform. Views encompass the volcanoes down the lake and also across to Western Bays.
Rangatira Point Walking Track
55 Whakamoenga PointGoing right to the end of Acacia Bay Road, a parking area before the gated community, gives access to a fairly flat 20 min walk through bush around the lakeshore, past a little jetty and a cave, arriving at a flat rock platform. Views encompass the volcanoes down the lake and also across to Western Bays.
Arts & Culture
Gives a good overview of the very recent development of Taupo. Includes iconic award winning Chelsea exhibit garden. There is also an Art Gallery attached.
55 locals recommend
Taupo Museum
4 Story PlGives a good overview of the very recent development of Taupo. Includes iconic award winning Chelsea exhibit garden. There is also an Art Gallery attached.