As I’ve written about on here before, New Zealand made a spectacular first impression on me. Looking down from the plane as it was landing, the Auckland area gleaming in shades of blue and green I’d never seen before, I felt like I was about to arrive on the most delightful alien planet.
Which is why it was strange when, upon leaving the big city a few days later to head south, I felt anxiety. This in spite knowing that the country wouldn’t “really” begin until I got on the road. My first destination? Lake Taupo.
The point I’ll eventually get to in this article can be summarized in one question: Is Taupo worth visiting? But I’m going to take my time getting there—I hope you’ll stay with me as I do.
Why Taupo-Proper Left Me Cold
My trip to Taupo started off relatively well. I arrived to my Taupo Airbnb (which was really just a room in someone’s house) to meet my host, a friendly Irish woman with three sweet and well-behaved daughters, and a talkative demeanor. Unfortunately, I realized that the town of Taupo was somewhat boring, and that the much-hyped Lake Taupo (which is, in, fact, the area’s largest draw) was just…a lake. Initially, I wondered whether I’d made a mistake in coming.
Now, if I had been in my right mind, I might’ve relaxed and gotten some perspective, opening my computer in the evening and logging onto Casino.org to try my luck. Instead, of course, I tossed and turned all night, second-guessing my decision. The good news? This didn’t end up making much difference in the long run, as you’re about to see.
How to Approach Your Trip to Taupo
Take your time getting in from Auckland
Initially, to be sure, my journey to Taupo started off positively. After picking up my car in central Auckland, I drove southward, stopping en route at the Orakei Korako thermal formation just outside of Taupo. After a mostly boring journey, this whet my appetite prior to my arrival.
Make yourself comfortable
Which was appropriate: Before executing my Taupo itinerary in earnest, I stopped at a supermarket on my way into town to buy wine (local New Zealand wine, of course) and fingers foods; I also sat down for a meal. A funny fact, looking back, is that this was the first time I heard the word coronavirus (it was late January of 2020). I was blissfully unaware of how much the virus in question would soon impact my life!
Center your trip around the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
In spite of feeling underwhelmed by Taupo itself when I got to my Airbnb, as described earlier, my host made me even more excited about the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, in part because her husband was a park ranger there. I began my journey before dawn the next day, and started hiking just after the sun rose. Beautiful scenery notwithstanding, the hike was an incredible test of enduranc and a great workout—it immediately snapped me out of my funk.
(And Huka Falls)
Although it’s slightly less dramatic (OK, much less dramatic!) than Tongariro, Huka Falls nonetheless deserves its high ranking on lists of things to do in Taupo. Of course, by comparison to the all-day affair of hiking over the Alps, the short walk from the parking lot to the bridge over these falls is quaint by comparison. It literally takes only a few minutes!
Leave time for relaxation
Nonetheless, after a couple of days in Taupo, my body was sore. Thankfully, one amazing side effect of the area’s volcanic landscape is an abundance of hot springs. I personally went to Wairakei Terraces, but there are plenty of other options in town. Even if you don’t end up doing the full-day Tongariro trek, this is certainly a can’t miss when you’re in the Taupo area!
Taupo is Just the Beginning of New Zealand’s North Island
As I mentioned earlier in this post, I drove from Auckland to Taupo; Taupo is arguably where my exploration of New Zealand’s North Island began in earnest. I continued onward from there to Rotorua(famous for its redwood trees and Maori culture), and from there via the coastal city of Tauranga up onto the Coromandel Peninsula. Of course, this is but one way to explore New Zealand’s North Island.
From Taupo, you could alternatively head all the way south to the New Zealand capital of Wellington, if that’s the direction you want to go. Alternatively, either before you leave Auckland or after you return there (assuming you go back), you could head up to the Bay of Islands—which among other reasons to go there, is a fabulous skydiving destination.
Other FAQ About Visiting Taupo
Is Taupo, NZ worth visiting?
Lake Taupo itself is underwhelming, but the Taupo area more broadly is definitely worth visiting! In particular, it serves as a base for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is one of my favorite hikes not only in New Zealand, but anywhere in the world if we’re being honest.
Is there much to do in Taupo?
There’s quite a lot to do in Taupo! In addition to the lake itself, Taupo is not far from Tongariro Alpine Crossing, an amazing hike. Additionally, you can marvel at the natural splendor of Huka Falls, or soak your body in any of the “hot pools” in town.
Why do people visit Lake Taupo?
Although New Zealanders may visit Lake Taupo for…well, the lake, foreigners come there primary as a base for hiking on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Secondarily, Taupo is a common waypoint along a New Zealand North Island road trip, usually before or after adjacent Rotorua.
The Bottom Line
Is Taupo worth visiting? The Lake itself left me pretty cold, as someone who grew up in an area with a lot of lakes—it takes a really…well, impressive one to impress me. On the other hand, when you think of Taupo as a gateway more than a destination, everything changes. This is particularly true in the case of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, though that is obviously not the only attraction in and around Taupo, or on the way to Rotorua (the most popular onward stop from there). Need personalized help putting your New Zealand adventure together? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
