Taupo Tours & Holidays

Taupo in the heart of the North Island is home to New Zealand's largest lake. 

It’s a place of extraordinary natural beauty and the ideal destination for those who enjoy getting out and about in the great outdoors. One Taupo’s biggest claims to fame is Lake Taupo which is housed in an ancient volcanic caldera born from one of the world’s most spectacular volcanic eruptions. However, there are plenty of things to do in Taupo which don’t involve getting out on the lake. The trout-filled rivers offer some of world’s best fly-fishing and there are ancient forests to explore, together with steaming geothermal valleys with natural hot springs, and superb national parks like Tongariro National Park which is a dual-listed UNESCO heritage site. Mountain bikers come to Taupo to ride The Great Lake Trails on the western shores of Lake Taupo which are considered some of the best mountain biking trails in the country. If you would prefer to hit the slopes, you’ll find New Zealand’s largest ski fields near Taupo on Mt Ruapehu, which also draw hikers in summer.

Our Taupo trips

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Map of Premium New Zealand North Island including New Zealand
8 Days · Premium
Premium New Zealand North Island
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NZD $6,860
Map of Premium New Zealand Encompassed including New Zealand
18 Days · Premium
Premium New Zealand Encompassed
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NZD $16,160
Map of Ultimate New Zealand including New Zealand
24 Days · Comfort
Ultimate New Zealand
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NZD $13,595
Map of New Zealand Uncovered (Northbound) including New Zealand
20 Days · Comfort
New Zealand Uncovered (Northbound)
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NZD $11,135
Map of New Zealand's North To South Island Adventure including New Zealand
11 Days · Basix
New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure
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NZD $3,505
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Taupo highlights

Wai o Tapu in New Zealand, the volcanic wonderland near Lake Taupo, New Zealand
Taupo geothermal wonders
Taupo is part of a large volcanic zone so it’s no surprise there’s an impressive array of geothermal activity in the region. Don’t be surprised if you see steam drifting across the landscape on chilly mornings or pushing its way out of vents in the earth. There are plenty of geothermal viewing areas in and around Taupo where you can stroll along walkways and see bubbling mud pools and steaming mineral lakes. Visiting a thermal spa for a soak in the hot spring water is another must-do.
Hikers with arms outstretched in front of a lake on the Tongariro Crossing, Taupo, New Zealand
Hike Tongariro National Park
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 its outstanding volcanic landscape and great cultural significance. Here you'll get to see not one but three live craters and also three incredible blue-green lakes. If you're an experienced hiker, the Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand's best (and most challenging) day walks.
Whitewater at Huka Falls outside Taupo New Zealand on sunny day
White water rafting at Taupo
Grab your paddles and a few mates and jump in a raft with your guide for a rollicking white water rafting adventure down the Tongariro River. This scenic river flows into Lake Taupo and offers plenty of enjoyment for paddlers of all ages and abilities. When you’re not paddling and riding the rapids, keep an out for trout swimming near the raft. This active excursion is as enjoyable as it is scenic, so you’ll get to have lots of fun and soak up nature at the same time.
Yacht sail boat sailing over Lake Taupo North Island New Zealand on a sealer sunny day
Get out on Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. The best way to experience it is to get out on its pristine waters. Join a scenic boat cruise to see native water birds and hidden coves, or book a Lake Taupo kayak tour and surround yourself with the beauty of the lake and the surrounding area. If you're feeling adventurous, you can go on a Lake Taupo parasailing adventure for a bird's eye view of Taupo and the lake's sparkling waters.
Professional fisherman fly fishes for Trout fish in Tongariro river near Taupo lake, New Zealand
Trout fishing in Taupo
Trout fishing in Lake Taupo and the surrounding rivers has been popular since the early 1900s, especially in the Tongariro River which is full of plump rainbow and brown trout. Any time is a good time to fish here, either in the rivers, along the shoreline or out on the lake itself. If you want to learn more about the region’s most famous fish, drop into the Tongariro National Trout Centre which is filled with attractions about all things trout and celebrates the region’s trout fishing history.
The turquoise and white waters of Huka Falls surrounded by trees and blue sky, Taupo, New Zealand
See mighty Huka Falls
Most people park at the carpark and snap a photo of Huka Falls from the viewing bridge but a jetboat trip offers a far more exciting look at this dramatic waterfall. Seeing these falls from the water is one of the best ways to appreciate the mighty 220,000 litre per second water flow. If you enjoy hiking, you can also take an easy one hour walk along the Huka Falls Trail which begins at a slow-flowing and peaceful part of the Waikato River and finishes with the roar of the falls filling your ears.

Taupo tour reviews

4.6•120 reviews
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Premium New Zealand North Island

Lana · Traveled April 2025
Review submitted 17 Apr 2025

New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound)

Val · Traveled March 2025
Review submitted 14 Apr 2025

Premium New Zealand Encompassed

Harold Ian · Traveled March 2025
Review submitted 06 Apr 2025

New Zealand Northern Trail (Northbound)

Lynne · Traveled March 2025
Review submitted 31 Mar 2025

New Zealand Amplified (Southbound)

Glynn · Traveled March 2025
Review submitted 22 Mar 2025
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