Bianca’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Natural Thermal Hot Pools 2 minute drive from Taupo CBD but feels like you’re miles away. Completely free and a gorgeous walk through a park to get there. 'Open' 24/7 (parking gates shut at 8pm so park up the top and walk down if it's after that time). There are toilet and changing room facilities and dependant on the time of year a small cafe that opens for coffee and ice creams - a great way to spend a day. Dogs allowed in the park and there’s a ‘frisbee golf’ course as well.
34 abantu bendawo batusa
Spa Park Hot Pools
281 Spa RdNatural Thermal Hot Pools 2 minute drive from Taupo CBD but feels like you’re miles away. Completely free and a gorgeous walk through a park to get there. 'Open' 24/7 (parking gates shut at 8pm so park up the top and walk down if it's after that time). There are toilet and changing room facilities and dependant on the time of year a small cafe that opens for coffee and ice creams - a great way to spend a day. Dogs allowed in the park and there’s a ‘frisbee golf’ course as well.
See the phenomenon of natural hydro power, watch more than 220,000 litres of water per SECOND barrelling over the 11m high waterfall. A gorgeous, easy 1.5 hour walk to get there. Can also do a Jet Boat tour right up to the falls.
205 abantu bendawo batusa
Huka Falls station
See the phenomenon of natural hydro power, watch more than 220,000 litres of water per SECOND barrelling over the 11m high waterfall. A gorgeous, easy 1.5 hour walk to get there. Can also do a Jet Boat tour right up to the falls.
Cruise, sail or kayak to NZ's most extraordinary contemporary artwork towering 14m above Lake Taupo. Daily trips and private charters available. Book at the i-SITE.
30 abantu bendawo batusa
Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings
Mine BayCruise, sail or kayak to NZ's most extraordinary contemporary artwork towering 14m above Lake Taupo. Daily trips and private charters available. Book at the i-SITE.
Local Attraction
A few hours of fun for people of all ages (and fishing ability) - catch your own prawns and then take home what you catch.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Huka Prawn Park
200 Karetoto RdA few hours of fun for people of all ages (and fishing ability) - catch your own prawns and then take home what you catch.
An opportunity to walk across geothermal areas - boardwalks and pathways allow you to see the bubbling craters in the earth and the steam vents. Approx $28 for family of 4.
42 abantu bendawo batusa
Amakhonkcotho kaMqwebedu
171 Karapiti RdAn opportunity to walk across geothermal areas - boardwalks and pathways allow you to see the bubbling craters in the earth and the steam vents. Approx $28 for family of 4.
If its within the budget we highly recommend experiencing the jet - especially if you've never been on a Jet Boat before! 30 minutes on the water and you'll get right up to the base of the amazing Huka Falls. https://www.hukafallsjet.com/nz/
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Hukafalls Jet Taupo
200 Karetoto RdIf its within the budget we highly recommend experiencing the jet - especially if you've never been on a Jet Boat before! 30 minutes on the water and you'll get right up to the base of the amazing Huka Falls. https://www.hukafallsjet.com/nz/
A really cool unique experience - a shop/ice cream shop/educational experience all rolled into one. They stock NZ's largest selection of honey products. You can also see the live bees at work in the have and the staff are all so friendly and passionate about what they do!
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Huka Honey Hive
65 Karetoto RdA really cool unique experience - a shop/ice cream shop/educational experience all rolled into one. They stock NZ's largest selection of honey products. You can also see the live bees at work in the have and the staff are all so friendly and passionate about what they do!
Food scene
a great range for breakfast + lunch - lots and lots of gf/keto/vegan options as well.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Kefi
47 Horomātangi Sta great range for breakfast + lunch - lots and lots of gf/keto/vegan options as well.
One word. DELISH!!! Don't ask questions, just go there for the most decadent donuts (and brownies) in town!!
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Baked With Love - Cakery
11 Gascoigne StOne word. DELISH!!! Don't ask questions, just go there for the most decadent donuts (and brownies) in town!!
Great easy going cafe for breakfast or lunch. Also a good selection of ready to go food from the cabinet daily.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
The Storehouse
14 Runanga StGreat easy going cafe for breakfast or lunch. Also a good selection of ready to go food from the cabinet daily.
Mediterranean style tapas menu (as well as mains/desserts) and an extensive cocktail and wine menu. On the higher end of the budget but I great atmosphere and vining decor. One for the adults.
100 abantu bendawo batusa
Vine Eatery & Bar
37 Tūwharetoa StMediterranean style tapas menu (as well as mains/desserts) and an extensive cocktail and wine menu. On the higher end of the budget but I great atmosphere and vining decor. One for the adults.
Best eggs Benedict in town. kind of in the middle of town (rather than on the waterfront) but super cosy and cute and great service!
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Spoon & Paddle
101 Te Heuheu StBest eggs Benedict in town. kind of in the middle of town (rather than on the waterfront) but super cosy and cute and great service!
A really funky place, lots of quirky art and little art shops all through a garden - then with a cafe to sit and have a coffee. The food isn't exceptional but the coffee is nice and the scenery is GREAT!!
70 abantu bendawo batusa
L'arté Cafe & Gallery
255 Mapara RdA really funky place, lots of quirky art and little art shops all through a garden - then with a cafe to sit and have a coffee. The food isn't exceptional but the coffee is nice and the scenery is GREAT!!
Local brewery - first fully automated brewery. They run tours daily where you can see the beer being made and then taste it at the end ;) $30 each adult
7 abantu bendawo batusa
BierKAFE @ Crafty TROUT Brewery
133 Tongariro StLocal brewery - first fully automated brewery. They run tours daily where you can see the beer being made and then taste it at the end ;) $30 each adult
High quality Thai food in an authentically decorated restaurant. Their curries are delish!!
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Lotus Thai Restaurant
137 Tongariro StHigh quality Thai food in an authentically decorated restaurant. Their curries are delish!!
The best Indian food in Taupō - impeccable service, their cheesy, garlic naan bread is sooo good!!
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Master of India
47 Ruapehu StreetThe best Indian food in Taupō - impeccable service, their cheesy, garlic naan bread is sooo good!!