JetlyGo
How it worksThings to doRoad tripsLocal Friend
My trips
→ Sign inSign in
Home/New Zealand/Taupo/Attractions
Eat outAttractionsWith kidsFreeRomanticBars & nightlifeAdventureHidden gems

Taupo, New Zealand

Top things to do in Taupo

19 attractions, landmarks and museums worth your time, ranked by traveler reviews.

Lake Taupo
Park & nature4.5

Lake Taupo

926 reviews

Lake Taupo is New Zealand's largest lake, offering stunning scenery, water activities, and the famous Maori rock carvings.

Tickets & tours

Skip the queue in Taupo

Compare live prices for entry tickets, guided tours and day trips from trusted local operators.

Find tickets & tours

Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.

Good to know

What is the most visited attraction in Taupo?

Lake Taupo draws the most traveler reviews of anywhere we track in Taupo, with 926 of them, rated 4.5 out of 5. Review volume is the closest honest proxy we have for how many people actually turn up, so it is what this list is ranked by.

Which place in Taupo do visitors rate highest?

Maori Rock Carvings holds the highest rating in Taupo among places with a meaningful number of reviews, at 4.0 out of 5 from 477 reviews. It is less busy than Lake Taupo, which is often exactly why it scores better.

Browse Taupo by type: parks & nature. Planning your trip to Taupo? See where to eat, build a Taupo itinerary, or check visa requirements.
Landmark
Landmark4

Maori Rock Carvings

477 reviews

Marvel at the ancient Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo's cliffs, accessible only by boat or kayak, offering a unique cultural and scenic experience.

Landmark
Landmark4

Lake Taupo Hole in One Challenge

109 reviews

A fun lakeside challenge where you try to hit a floating platform with a golf ball from across the water.

Entertainment
Entertainment3.5

Starlight Cinema Centre

51 reviews

A small cinema in Taupo's Starlight Arcade, offering a cozy movie experience with recent releases.

Park & nature
Park & nature

Rangatira Park

A suburban Taupo park with sports fields, a playground, and walking paths, popular for family outings and casual recreation.

Neighborhood
Neighborhood

Tauhara

A quiet suburb at the base of Mount Tauhara, offering hiking trails and panoramic views of Lake Taupō.

Sight
Sight

Craters of the Moon (geothermal site)

A geothermal wonderland with moon-like craters, steaming vents, and colorful mineral deposits, offering short walking trails through an otherworldly landscape.

Sight
Sight

Mount Tauhara

A dormant volcano offering a rewarding hike with panoramic 360-degree views of Lake Taupō, the surrounding mountains, and the Central Plateau.

Sight
Sight

Lake Huka

A former lake that drained catastrophically, now a geothermal area with steaming vents and colorful silica terraces in Wairakei.

Park & nature
Park & nature

Owen Delany Park

A large sports park hosting rugby matches, concerts, and the annual Taupō Winter Festival in a scenic setting.

Sight
Sight

Wairakei River

A scenic river known for excellent trout fishing and geothermal landscapes, with walking trails along its banks.

Sight
Sight

Taupō Volcanic Zone

A geologically active region centered on the Taupō caldera, featuring volcanoes, hot springs, and dramatic landscapes shaped by eruptions.

Entertainment
Entertainment

Lakeland FM

A local radio station broadcasting to the Taupō region, featuring a mix of music, news, and community talk shows from its studio in town.

Entertainment
Entertainment

Taupo International Motorsport Park

A premier motorsport venue hosting national racing events, track days, and driver training on a challenging circuit.

Entertainment
Entertainment

Huka Prawn Park

A unique prawn farm where geothermal warmth nurtures prawns; visitors can fish, dine, and enjoy family fun.

Neighborhood
Neighborhood

Wairakei

A geothermal village with hot springs, a golf course, and the Wairakei Terraces, offering relaxation and outdoor activities.

Sight
Sight

Aratiatia Rapids

A dramatic stretch of the Waikato River where controlled dam releases transform gentle waters into thundering rapids, best viewed from lookout points.

Neighborhood
Neighborhood

Wharewaka

A residential area on Lake Taupō's western shore featuring a modern marina with boat berths, a café, and walking paths along the water.

Neighborhood
Neighborhood

Acacia Bay

A peaceful lakeside suburb with a popular beach and boat ramp, perfect for swimming, kayaking, and launching a boat onto Lake Taupō.