Save up to 20% off* trips in Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond. Act quick, the sale won't be here for long!
Book Now!
Lake Taupo Tours & Vacations
Welcome to the largest lake in New Zealand and the largest freshwater lake in Australasia.
Lake Taupo is so large that it is around the same size as Singapore. One of the best ways to enjoy it is to get out on its waters. Don’t miss the 14 metre-high Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings which depict Maori culture and mythology in a spectacular art form that can only be viewed from the lake. If you’re into mountain biking, The Great Lake Trails, on the western shores of Lake Taupo, are regarded as one of the best grade three mountain bike trails in the whole of New Zealand. Lake Taupo is also world famous for its trout fishing, both on Lake Taupo and in the surrounding rivers. You can also see the thundering waters of Huka Falls, one of the most visited and most photographed natural attractions in New Zealand.
A Lake Taupo kayak tour is one of the best ways to truly surround yourself with the serenity of the lake and the surrounding area. A kayak tour is also the best way to get up close to the Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay. If you would prefer to take in the scenery on a beautiful river, you can kayak down the Waikato River and take in the surrounding beauty.
You can’t go white water rafting on Lake Taupo itself but the nearby Tongariro River which flows into Lake Taupo offers loads of scenic fun for paddlers of all ages and abilities. This river offers plenty of thrills but nothing too wild for first timers. When you’re not paddling and riding the rapids, keep an out for rainbow and brown trout swimming near the raft.
Most people simply snap a photo of Huka Falls from the viewing bridge but a jetboat trip offers a far more exciting look at this dramatic waterfall. Think 360 degree spins, speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour, and lush riverbanks with native vegetation and rocky cliffs. Good luck getting a not-blurry photo during this half-hour of power on the Waikato River.
Lake Taupo is a beautiful spot that’s ideal for a scenic boat cruise as it has pristine water that is so clear you can see right to the bottom of the lake. While you’re sailing along and enjoying the view, keep an eye out for native water birds, hidden coves, and the Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay which are more than 10 metres high and took four summers to complete.
You’ll feel free as a bird – and get a bird’s eye view as well – when you’re flying high above Lake Taupo on a parasailing adventure. You can fly by yourself or with a friend – or even two friends if you don’t want to pick your favourite. There’s no need to worry about getting wet either as parasailers at Lake Taupo get a dry take-off and landing from the back of the boat.
Enjoy a scenic flight over Lake Taupo or venture further afield to Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's oldest National Park. Tongariro National Park is a dual World Heritage site, recognised for both its outstanding volcanic landscape and its great cultural significance. Here you’ll get to see not one but three live craters and also three blue-green lakes.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to
share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that
include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip
or reveal personal details.
Filter by rating
Premium New Zealand North Island
Jenny · Traveled March 2024
This tour is a great mix of natural wonders, breathtaking scenery and culture. Island life, caves, hobbiton, catamaran cruising, volcanic landscapes, the trip has a lovely mix. It was well organised with the right mix of activities. Grant our tour leader was excellent. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and added so much more with his stories and humour. A great trip with a great bunch of people. Highly recommend visiting NZ.
Review submitted 04 Apr 2024
Premium New Zealand North Island
Gavin · Traveled March 2024
This holiday is perfect for exploring the North Island of New Zealand. The itinerary is busy, but not too busy, and there aren't any days where the travel is onerous. It's a beautiful, interesting place and this tour lets you experience that to the fullest.
Review submitted 25 Mar 2024
New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound)
Janine · Traveled March 2024
This trip was amazing. Such a beautiful country with plenty to see and do. Highlights for me were Milford Sound and the Franz Josef helicopter. Great group and an excellent guide who went the extra mile for us providing options to do during our free time if wanted. Highly recommend doing this trip North to South as the islands are vastly different to each other and finishing with the South was a perfect ending.
Review submitted 31 Mar 2024
New Zealand Amplified (Northbound)
Carla · Traveled March 2024
This was such an incredible trip, I only wish I had booked on to a longer tour! The range of activities was excellent, so you could be as extremely adventurous or as slightly adventurous as you wanted. From day one our guide Connor was friendly, organised and knowledgeable. To be shown such an amazing country by someone who is clearly passionate about his home and engaged with more responsible tourism made for a trip I will never forget!
Review submitted 26 Mar 2024
Premium New Zealand Encompassed
Jonathan · Traveled February 2024
New Zealand - 5 Stars. Wayne (our tour leader) - 5 stars. Intrepid - 2 stars.
Coming on this tour you know you are going to be impressed with the scenery, the friendliness of the people and the focus on environmental conservation. You will not be disappointed. The itinerary is good - if a little breathless at times - and if you have the same guide we did you will be guaranteed a wonderful time.
The only shadow cast over our trip was due to the lack of care provided by Intrepid. Watch out for “feature stays” being replaced by much lower class accommodation with no notice or compensation. And don’t expect a response if you need to contact them.
Review submitted 26 Feb 2024
Lake Taupo travel FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
The closest airport to Lake Taupo is Taupo Airport which is an 8 km drive from the lake. Direct flights take 50 minutes from Auckland and 1 hour from Wellington.
Driving to Taupo from Auckland takes 3.5 hours or a 4.5-hour drive from Wellington.
There are also regular InterCity bus services which take slightly longer as they pick up and drop off passengers along the way.
The best way to experience Lake Taupo is to get out on its crystal clear waters. There are also walking trails along the shore of the lake
The weather at Lake Taupo can be warm in summer, so don't be surprised if you find yourself kayaking around the lake in shorts and a T-shirt.
If you're keen to try water sports like rafting or kayaking, a summer visit is a good choice, as the weather is warmer if you fall into Lake Taupo or one of the nearby rivers.
It can get cold in winter, with temperatures dropping to around two degrees Celcius.
Autumn brings the colours of leaves changing from green to red and gold, and spring is perfect for strolling and sailing around the lake.
Clothes you can layer work best if you travel to Lake Taupo as it can be very warm in the middle of the day.
Add a jumper or jacket, wet weather gear, sunscreen, a hat and a beanie.
Remember to pack a fleece if you're heading out on the water as it can get chilly on the boat, even in summer.
Comfortable shoes are also a must for exploring this scenic area.
Lake Taupo is a laid-back destination, so people tend to dress casually. Smart casual is considered 'dressy' at most restaurants in the main town of Taupo.
There is good Wi-Fi coverage at Lake Taupo, but the signal can be weak when exploring some parts of the lake.
There is good mobile phone coverage at Lake Taupo, but the signal can be weak when exploring some parts of the lake.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.