Guidebook for Taupo
Food Scene
This award winning restaurant has built its reputation on top quality New Zealand cuisine in an original 1950s town house allowing a variety of dining experiences from the intimacy of the Cellar, Alfresco Dining in the garden to the open plan upper level for larger groups.
The Brantry is open for dinner from 5.30pm, 7 nights a week. Bookings are essential.
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The Brantry Restaurant
45 Rifle Range RdThis award winning restaurant has built its reputation on top quality New Zealand cuisine in an original 1950s town house allowing a variety of dining experiences from the intimacy of the Cellar, Alfresco Dining in the garden to the open plan upper level for larger groups.
The Brantry is open for dinner from 5.30pm, 7 nights a week. Bookings are essential.
Pub meals with the finest Craft Beer from breweries across NZ and beyond.
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Lakehouse Taupo
10 Roberts StPub meals with the finest Craft Beer from breweries across NZ and beyond.
Situated in one of the best spots in Taupo's CBD, Pub n Grub offers customers amazing lake and mountain views along with "the best pub food in town"
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Pub n Grub Taupo
4 Roberts StSituated in one of the best spots in Taupo's CBD, Pub n Grub offers customers amazing lake and mountain views along with "the best pub food in town"
Inspired by fresh, local produce that's delicious with just a little fuss, complemented by a great selection of craft beers, boutique wines and professional, friendly service.
Plateau Bar + Eatery has been awarded the 2019 Beef and Lamb award for achieving the highest culinary standard in beef and lamb.
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Plateau Bar + Eatery
64 Tūwharetoa StInspired by fresh, local produce that's delicious with just a little fuss, complemented by a great selection of craft beers, boutique wines and professional, friendly service.
Plateau Bar + Eatery has been awarded the 2019 Beef and Lamb award for achieving the highest culinary standard in beef and lamb.
Body Fuel Cafe
67 Tongariro StA good hearty breakfast...and the coffee is good too!
The best Fish and Chips in Taupo. They also do chinese takeaways
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Grasshopper Chip Bar
40 Taharepa RdThe best Fish and Chips in Taupo. They also do chinese takeaways
Beaut Bakery
179 Spa RdGood kiwi pies and doughnuts etc
Sightseeing
Chris Jolly Outdoors are famous in Taupo for all sorts of outdoor activities such as daily scenic cruises on Lake Taupo, or private charter. Fishing or hunting trips, hiking and biking
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Chris Jolly Outdoors
Redoubt StreetChris Jolly Outdoors are famous in Taupo for all sorts of outdoor activities such as daily scenic cruises on Lake Taupo, or private charter. Fishing or hunting trips, hiking and biking
Sails out to the Maori Carvings on the lake. You are sitting in the open air, so great on a nice fine day.
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Sail Barbary
10 Redoubt StSails out to the Maori Carvings on the lake. You are sitting in the open air, so great on a nice fine day.
The Waikato River abruptly narrows to just 15 metres as it crosses a hard volcanic ledge north of Lake Taupo. This causes a huge volume of water to collide and funnel through the rocky gorge, forming the spectacularly powerful falls and rapids.
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Huka Falls station
The Waikato River abruptly narrows to just 15 metres as it crosses a hard volcanic ledge north of Lake Taupo. This causes a huge volume of water to collide and funnel through the rocky gorge, forming the spectacularly powerful falls and rapids.
The Aratiatia Power station is the first hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river. Aratiatia Dam opens every day for around 15 minutes at 10am, 12, and 2pm. The water is released from the Aratiatia Dam down through the Aratiatia Rapids
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Aratiatia Dam
155 Rapids RdThe Aratiatia Power station is the first hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river. Aratiatia Dam opens every day for around 15 minutes at 10am, 12, and 2pm. The water is released from the Aratiatia Dam down through the Aratiatia Rapids
Cruises slowly from Aratiatia Dam right up to the Huka Falls. Timed to leave just after Aratiatia opens, so you can watch the dam open and then meander up to the Huka Falls. Beautiful scenery for photos, friendly commentary and kids might even get to steer the boat!
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Huka Falls River Cruise
Aratiatia RoadCruises slowly from Aratiatia Dam right up to the Huka Falls. Timed to leave just after Aratiatia opens, so you can watch the dam open and then meander up to the Huka Falls. Beautiful scenery for photos, friendly commentary and kids might even get to steer the boat!
With the perfect back drop of Lake Taupo and the mountains of the Tongariro National Park, it has quickly become one of the most photographed locations in the Taupo region.
Visitors and locals alike, love to take photographs in, around and on the letters.
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#LoveTaupo
32 Roberts StWith the perfect back drop of Lake Taupo and the mountains of the Tongariro National Park, it has quickly become one of the most photographed locations in the Taupo region.
Visitors and locals alike, love to take photographs in, around and on the letters.
Parks & Nature
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the best one-day hike available in New Zealand! Please be aware that the climbs can be steep and the weather unpredictable. It is advised to use a licensed operators who will provide timely shuttle transport and expert safety knowledge on the walk and the weather. They will also provide back-up should you suffer a mishap during the day.
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Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the best one-day hike available in New Zealand! Please be aware that the climbs can be steep and the weather unpredictable. It is advised to use a licensed operators who will provide timely shuttle transport and expert safety knowledge on the walk and the weather. They will also provide back-up should you suffer a mishap during the day.
Orakei Korako 'The Place of Adorning' - a spectacular Geothermal attraction. Lonely Planet Travellers Guide writes… “ Orakei Korako is arguably the best thermal area left in New Zealand"
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I-Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave
494 Orākei Kōrako RdOrakei Korako 'The Place of Adorning' - a spectacular Geothermal attraction. Lonely Planet Travellers Guide writes… “ Orakei Korako is arguably the best thermal area left in New Zealand"
Essentials
Countdown Taupo
Tongariro StreetPAK'nSAVE
131 Ruapehu StEntertainment & Activities
With over 100,000 customers flown, Big Sky Parasail has led the way as being one of the safest and most professional parasail companies in New Zealand
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Big Sky Parasail Ltd.
With over 100,000 customers flown, Big Sky Parasail has led the way as being one of the safest and most professional parasail companies in New Zealand
New Zealand's Highest Water Touch Bungy Jump - located 47 metres (154 feet) above the Waikato River, check out the stunning views before taking the plunge into or towards the crystal clear waters below. Only 5 minutes from Taupo township.
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Taupo Bungy
202 Spa RdNew Zealand's Highest Water Touch Bungy Jump - located 47 metres (154 feet) above the Waikato River, check out the stunning views before taking the plunge into or towards the crystal clear waters below. Only 5 minutes from Taupo township.
Huka Prawn Park
200 Karetoto RdRapids Jet
Nga Awa Purua RoadSo much fun! Bookings are essential
Hot pools which are both inside and outside. Our kids liked these best when they were younger!
A C Baths Avenue
A C Baths AvenueHot pools which are both inside and outside. Our kids liked these best when they were younger!
Great hotpool to soak away those aches and pains! Be aware, though, that the walk back to the car is pretty steep! Children are allowed
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Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
76 Napier-Taupo RoadGreat hotpool to soak away those aches and pains! Be aware, though, that the walk back to the car is pretty steep! Children are allowed
Our favourite hotpool in Taupo! Check 'grabone' as they usually have entry to the pools as 'buy one, get one free' Minimum age is 14, so sorry no children are allowed. They also offer a range of spa treatments.
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Wairakei Terraces
671 State Hwy 1Our favourite hotpool in Taupo! Check 'grabone' as they usually have entry to the pools as 'buy one, get one free' Minimum age is 14, so sorry no children are allowed. They also offer a range of spa treatments.