Plenty to do for free around Taupo¯
If you’re on a budget or sick of putting your hand in your pocket, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of free things to do around Lake Taupo¯ . Here’s a few of our favourites. For more, visit the Taupo¯ or Tu¯ rangi i-Site visitor centres.
■ Aratiatia Rapids
A huge hydro-electric power station and dam. Gates open and water released daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. Signposted off SH5. Important safety note: Stay out of the Aratiatia Rapids spillway and downstream area at ALL times. Never enter, swim or kayak in this area. Planned and unplanned water spills may occur at any time.
■ Arts and Crafts
Check out the selection of street art and murals around Taupo¯ , visit Riverside Park for local arts and crafts or Art in the Park at Colonel Roberts Reserve. Taupo¯ Museum (free for locals) and local galleries are also good options.
■ Waipahihi Botanical Reserve
An 35ha reserve combining alpine and native plants and flowering shrubs with lots of little paths that children love to explore. Gates open daily.
■ Children’s Play Areas
Taupo¯ and Tu¯ rangi have many excellent playgrounds. Check out the Tongariro South Domain, Spa Park, The Circle at Nukuhau, Wharewaka, the Taupo¯ Community Park in Horomatangi and the playground next to the Lake Taupo¯ Christian School.
■ Drive around Lake Taupo¯
Take a day to meander around Lake Taupo¯ . Stop for a picnic or an icecream, explore the side roads, enjoy a swim or a walk en route.
■ Huka Honey Hive
See bees in glass hives, sample honey products.
■ Family Cycling
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the Great Lake Walkway. You can get all the way from the Taupo¯ Yacht Club to Five Mile Bay if you want to — 20km return. Remember, cyclists give way to walkers on this track.
■ Otumuheke Hot Stream
Relax in the healing mineral waters of the Otumuheke Stream where it joins the Waikato River at Spa Thermal Park. Changing rooms, lockers and toilets on site. This is an alcohol-free area.
■ Huka Falls
The major waterfall on the Waikato River and New Zealand’s most visited tourist attraction.
■ Mountain Biking
Fabulous tracks along Huka Falls as well as the W2K and Great Lake Trail. Further afield, check out Tu¯ rangi’s excellent Tongariro River Loop and the Waikato River Trail between Mangakino and Atiamuri. A small fee applies to mountainbiking at Craters of the Moon. Enquire at local bike shops.
■ O¯ pepe Reserve
A historic site from the 1800s with two excellent bush walks and historic points.
■ Taupo¯ Market
Weekly market every Saturday from 10am to 1pm at Riverside Park and Unison Amphitheatre with fresh produce, arts and crafts and more.
■ Skateboarding
Taupo¯ Skate Park is on the corner of Spa and Tauhara Roads.
■ Tongariro National Trout Centre
Free entry to the trout centre grounds. Visitor centre/freshwater aquarium entry $15 for adults but accompanied children free. Open daily from 10am to 3pm.
■ Lake Rotopounamu
A glistening gem of a lake hidden on the side of Mt Pihanga, southwest of Tu¯ rangi. Take Highway 47 towards National Park. The 5km walk takes around two hours on a well-maintained track.
■ Tongariro River Trail
A riverside walk or bike ride as short or as long as you please with start/finish points at the State Highway 1 bridge in Tu¯ rangi, Major Jones Bridge and Red Hut Bridge. The full loop is 15km.