Discover the Taupo District

In the Taupo District, impressive natural scenery and a range of ways to enjoy the outdoors meet important Māori cultural connections. Tongariro National Park, Lake Taupō and trails for walkers and cyclists create a variety of holiday experiences. When choosing a holiday home, it’s worth first considering whether you mainly want to explore nature and culture, go on a longer outing or plan more relaxed walks.

Tongariro: a natural area of cultural significance

Tongariro National Park is one of New Zealand’s three World Heritage Sites. Its dual World Heritage status recognises both the significance of its natural environment and its important Māori cultural and spiritual connections. This is a special combination: the park is remarkable not only for its landscape, but also for its cultural and spiritual significance. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is also within this dual World Heritage area. So, if you’re interested in the trek, you’ll find a tangible experience of nature in a landscape whose significance goes beyond its physical scenery.

Lakes, waterfalls and discoveries by the water

Lake Taupō is Australasia’s largest freshwater lake and a defining natural feature of the district. Another impressive waterscape is Huka Falls: nearly a quarter of a million litres of water per second plunge 11 metres through a natural gorge into the Waikato River. Walking tracks run along both sides of the falls. This makes it easy to combine a visit with a walk, while the sheer volume of water and the drop make this place distinctive.

Those interested in freshwater and native species can also consider visiting the Tongariro National Trout Centre in Tūrangi. It includes a museum, a freshwater aquarium with native species, a historic trout hatchery and an underwater viewing chamber. These different features offer several ways to explore the subject: through exhibits, the aquarium’s wildlife, the historic facility and the view beneath the water.

Trails for different day plans

For a longer outing, the Tongariro River Trail offers a complete 13.2 km loop. It can be started at the Tūrangi isite. The trail is used by anglers, dog walkers and mountain bikers. Cyclists must give way to pedestrians. If you include this route in your day’s plans, bear in mind the full loop distance and that the trail is shared.

The Waikato River Trails in the Taupo District offer a different selection of activities, including mountain biking, hiking and leisurely walks through native bush. The Great Lake Trails wind through lush native forest, past waterfalls and across deep gorges to the waters of Lake Taupō. A boat shuttle connects different sections of the Great Lake Trails, with pick-ups and drop-offs at several scenic bays along the route.

The Great Lake Pathway is a separate route that starts at Taupo Boat Harbour. It is mostly flat and offers a family-friendly outdoor experience. This means the district has options for both longer outings and a mostly flat walk. The type of route can help you plan your holiday days around the activities you want to enjoy.

Mangakino and choosing a holiday focus

Mangakino is situated on the Waikato River, on the western shore of Lake Maraetai. The Mangakino Recreation Reserve is beside the lake in the settlement of Mangakino, at the end of Lake Road; free camping is available on the lakeshore there. This particular lakeside setting adds another local character to the district’s nature and trail experiences. When choosing a holiday home, you can weigh up your group’s interests: Tongariro and its cultural significance, trails and waterfalls, or the lake scenery around Mangakino. The destinations described offer a range of reasons to discover the Taupo District.

The places of the Taupo District include Taupo, Turangi, Tokaanu, Mangakino, Iwitahi, Oruanui, Wairakei, Kuratau, Kinloch, Waihaha and Mokai.

For the broader travel overview: Waikato.