City or town
Things to see in Taupō (New Zealand): 30 places and when to go
Taupō is a town in New Zealand, and this site lists 30 places in and around it, mainly Nature (22), Mountains (12), Hot springs (3). The best known are Huka Falls, Taupō Volcano and Wairakei. The best time to come is October to April; also possible: May to September. In December there are 14 h 42 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 19. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- New Zealand · -38.693, 176.0771
- Places
- 30 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Nature (22) · Mountains (12) · Hot springs (3) · Museums and art (3) · Beaches (1) · Diving (1)
- Best time
- October to April.
- Also possible
- May to September.
- Nearest airport
- AKL Auckland, 219 km as the crow flies
- Highest point
- Mount Tauhara, at 1,088 m.
What to see in Taupō
The places in and around Taupō, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Huka FallsWaterfall in New Zealand5.0 km
- Taupō VolcanoCaldera Volcano in New Zealand18 km
- WairakeiHill in New Zealand9.1 km
- Mount TauharaProminent mountain near Taupō, New Zealand7.5 km
- Craters of the MoonGeothermal site in New Zealand6.1 km
- Pākā BayBight in New Zealand19 km
- Horomatangi ReefVolcanic feature in New Zealand's North Island Lake Taupo14 km
- Kaiapo BayBay in New Zealand9.2 km
- Kawakawa BayBay of Lake Taupo, New Zealand20 km
- MaungateraHill in New Zealand23 km
- Mount TutaengarahuMountain in New Zealand20 km
- NgangihoHill in New Zealand12 km
- Ngatamariki Hot SpringHot spring in New Zealand20 km
- Okuta BayBay in New Zealand7.6 km
- OruahineaweHill in New Zealand15 km
- PahauteaMountain in New Zealand29 km
- PukepapataringaHill in New Zealand27 km
- PutauakiHill in New Zealand18 km
- Te TarataHill in New Zealand25 km
- Totara BayBay in New Zealand6.4 km
- Tutemohuta BayBay in New Zealand12 km
- WairangoHill in New Zealand27 km
- Whakaipo BayBay in New Zealand11 km
- Whangamata BayBay in New Zealand15 km
And the other 6, by what you come to do:
- Food and drink: Crafty Trout Brewery
- Museums and art: L'Arté Gallery, Lava Glass, Taupō Museum and Art Gallery
- With kids: Lilliputt Farm
- Hot springs: Otumuheke Stream Hot Pools
When to go to Taupō
The best time to visit Taupō is October to April; also possible: May to September. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanBest time14:25
- FebBest time13:27
- MarBest time12:18
- AprBest time10:59
- MayPossible9:54
- JunPossible9:19
- JulPossible9:33
- AugPossible10:29
- SepPossible11:46
- OctBest time13:02
- NovBest time14:09
- DecBest time14:42
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In December there are 14 h 42 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 19. In January, 30 of the 30 places are at their best.
When to go to New Zealand in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Taupō
The nearest main airport is Auckland International Airport (AKL, Auckland), 219 km as the crow flies. How to get around New Zealand (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Tūrangi44 places40 km
- Tokoroa16 places55 km
- Rotorua46 places64 km
- Putaruru7 places76 km
- Waiouru11 places94 km
- Ōtorohanga19 places95 km
And all of New Zealand, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Taupō?
The best known: Huka Falls, Taupō Volcano, Wairakei, Mount Tauhara, Craters of the Moon. In all, 30 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Taupō?
October to April; also possible: May to September. In December there are 14 h 42 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 19.
How do you get to Taupō?
The nearest main airport is Auckland International Airport (AKL), 219 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Taupō as the destination and these 30 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- New ZealandBefore travelling to New Zealand: 8 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. You need the NZeTA before flying (a visa waiver, not a visa), and the IVL tourist l…
- Nature3138 places for nature in New Zealand, from Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu to spots hardly anyone knows. Best
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.