Taupō Tours
A popular tour stop in the middle of the North Island, Taupō township sits on the north-eastern shore of massive Lake Taupō. Although it may look like you’re on the shores of an ocean inlet, the lake (often said to be about the size of Singapore) is freshwater and is a prime spot for water-skiing, sailing, fishing and kayaking. Taupō is conveniently located close to the main North Island ski areas and the world-famous Tongariro Crossing, and the surrounding area offers excellent hiking, mountain biking and adventure activities. If you would like to relax, book a Lake Taupō sailing tour, a popular Lake Taupō tour activity that we at Haka Tours love!
Tow Paw?
While some people may have trouble pronouncing Taupō, you don’t need to worry because here’s a quick primer: Taupō is pronounced Tow Paw. The lake’s full Māori name is Taupō-nui-a-Tia (the rain cloak of Tia). Tia was an early Māori chief and one of the great explorers of the Taupō area, and the name originally referred to cliffs that resembled his cloak.
New Zealand’s largest lake is New Zealand’s largest volcano!
Don’t be alarmed, but Lake Taupō lies in the caldera of an active supervolcano, which has been active for around 1.6 million years! But not very active recently!
Radiocarbon dating suggests that the most recent eruption of Taupō was around 230 AD, when a vent in the volcano erupted with such force that it not only buried the North Island in volcanic debris, but covered the Chatham Islands, 1000 km away with a layer of ash 18 cm deep! The supervolcano then collapsed into the caldera that it is today.
powered by nature
Nowadays, the energy beneath the lake is harnessed for geothermal energy that powers the local region. You may see evidence of the geothermal forces as you travel around Taupō: plumes of clear white steam can be seen on the lakefront and near the streams that empty the lake, and the 193km shoreline has a constantly replenished supply of pumice – great for exfoliating rough skin! If you swim in the lake, you may notice warm, geothermal water currents.
Don’t worry, if it weren’t safe to visit, we wouldn’t have our very own upmarket backpacker lodge in Taupō! If booking a Taupō holiday package make sure to request our Taupō lodge for your accommodation.
SEVEN GREAT TAUPŌ VIEWS TO CAPTURE ON CAMERA:
A group shot next to the LOVETAUPO sign on the waterfront is a Haka Tours must-do!
Get on the water for a scenic cruise out to the impressive Māori rock carvings which can only be viewed from the water at Mine Bay.
Nearby Huka Falls is part of the Waikato River that drains this largest body of freshwater in Oceania. Here – either by footbridge or by jetboat tour – you can see (and hear) more than 220,000 litres of water per second thundering over an 11-metre high waterfall
continued...
Get a snap of you doing a water touch bungy jump off the cliffs of Waikato River Valley. Yeah!
From the 1088m summit of Mt Tauhara above the town you can see much of the supervolcano / lake’s 616 sq km surface area.
In winter, the view across the lake to the snowy summits of Tongariro, Ngāuruhoe and Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park is seriously photogenic.
Extreme photo challenge: get a selfie as you skydive above the supervolcano!
Photo Credits: Love Taupō
Tours including Taupō
Legendary NZ Tour
Our Legendary Tour lives up to its name, with stupendous scenery, bucket loads of adventure and eye-opening cultural experiences.
View tourNew Zealand Uncovered
Uncover all the beauty, adventure, culture and fun activities of New Zealand and tick practically everything off your bucket list.
View tourAmplified NZ Tour
Discover the best of the North and South Island. Tours run from Auckland to Christchurch, or Christchurch to Auckland.
View tourCoasts & Culture Tour
Enjoy adventure activities, incredible scenery and fascinating Māori culture as we show you the highlights between Auckland to Wellington.
View tourNew Zealand Amplified Tour
For departures from June 2025. Our most popular trip is a New Zealand 19-day itinerary jam-packed with New Zealand's top destinations and experiences. We’ll take you to the scenic highlights of the North and South Islands where you’ll discover golden beaches, majestic mountains, Māori culture, surreal landscapes and a big dose of adventure!
View tourNew Zealand's North Island Adventure
For departures from June 2025. The North Island is full of fun and fabulous contrasts! Up North you’ll find the idyllic Coromandel where you can soak in a hot pool that you’ve dug in the sand or venture through a geothermal wonderland of geysers. You can take a side-trip to Middle Earth countryside and explore a Hobbit Hole, admire lush rainforests and marvel at a volcanic desert - you'll be amazed by the variety of experiences and landscapes on offer.
View tourNorthern Trail
An unrushed exploration of the North Island’s top attractions including the Coromandel, Tongariro National Park, Rotorua & Wellington.
View tour