Taupo, Family Activities

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  • Lake Taupo Scenic Cruise

    Cruise for 90 minutes the pristine waters of New Zealand's Lake Taupo, taking in a blend of impressive natural sightseeing and intriguing Maori mythology over 1.5 hours. On this Lake Taupo cruise, you'll hop aboard a comfortable, heated sightseeing catamaran and embark on a journey that will showcase the best of what the Taupo region has to offer, including a close-up look at the area's famous Maori rock carvings and the various impressive waterways all surrounded by a stunning alpine environment.

    Sit back, relax and take in the informative commentary as the volcanic peaks of Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu pass by while enjoying a free cup of coffee or tea and a fresh, hot muffin. With all the inclusions you could possibly need - as well as special activities on board for kids during school holidays - you'll have everything you need for a scenic adventure into the heart of Lake Taupo.

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  • Tongariro National Park Scenic Flight

    Experience the thrill of flying over some of New Zealand’s most spectacular terrain with a scenic flight over the World Heritage Site of Tongariro National Park. This amazing Volcanic Park is so precious, that it was the second area in the world (after Yellowstone in America) to be declared a National Park.

    Tongariro Crossing - 15 minutes flying time
    As you soar around Mt Tongariro's volcanic craters, you will see the renowned Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the perfect cone of Mt Ngauruhoe (‘Mt Doom’ in the Lord of the Rings), the stunning Chateau Tongariro Resort and gorgeous alpine lakes.

    Northern Circuit - 25 minutes flying time
    The Northern Circuit allows you to view an extended version of the Tongariro Crossing flight.

    The Volcanic Explorer - 35 minutes flying time
    This flight is Mountain Air’s most requested flight. Experience the majestic views of all three of Tongariro Park’s volcanoes from 10,000 feet. This flight also includes views of the active crater lake of Mt Ruapehu, as well as Lord of the Rings filming sites.

    Child rates for 3-12 year olds.  Under 3s are FREE.

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  • Forgotten World 20 Tunnel Rail Cart Adventure

    Travel back in time on this full day rail cart experience travelling through 20 tunnels on this forgotten world scenic railway line. This self driven rail cart tour will take you through rolling hills, country farms and native bushland. Be amazed as you emerge from each tunnel into different scenery.

    The 20 Tunnel full day experience can be taken in two directions. You can travel from Okahukura to Whangamomona from the Taumarunui Depot in the morning. From here passengers will pass through small villages including Matiere and Ohura before arriving at Tokirima for a lunch break. Along the way you will travel through 20 tunnels with the longest tunnel on the tour at 1.5 km long.

    After lunch, continue onto Tangarakau Gorge and Whangamomona to end the rail cart experience. A shuttle is provided to return passengers back to Taumarunui Depot. This full day tour can also be taken in reverse with a shuttle bus to transfer you from the Taumarunui deport to Whangamomona to commence the rail cart experience.

    Transfers, morning tea, lunch and afternoon are included in the full day experience. Book online today to reserve your spot on this experience!

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  • Ages 10+

    Taupo Bungy Jump

    AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy has over 28 years’ experience and over 400, 000 jumps under its belt and the friendly folk at Taupo are bungy specialists – particularly when it comes to water touches - Taupo Bungy have the highest water touch in New Zealand, at 47 metres! Whether you want to bungy solo or tandem, with a hand touch or a full submersion, you will be treated to the very best of care and safety.  As you stand on the edge of the unique, cliff top platform you will be able to witness the spectacular view of the Waikato River below – that is, if you can work up the courage to look down!
    By the time you are gently rebounded at the bottom of your jump, your terror has turned into total exhilaration, which will keep you on a high for hours – if not days – afterwards. Minimum age 10 years.

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  • Ages 10+

    Taupo Swing

    The 43m Taupo Swing is a formidable challenge ~ do you have what it takes?

    The atmosphere from the top of the Swing is a totally surreal experience, leaving you breathless – not from just the fear of what you are about to undertake, but also the scenic beauty that surrounds you.
    When you strap yourself in, you'll notice that you’re not actually on a swing at all; instead, you have the comfort and security of a full body harness. If you’re really ready to have a mind blowing adventure, then try the completely upside down swing (not for the faint of heart).
    As you fly straight down, you'll get within five metres of the water surface, before you are propelled straight back up towards the sky.

    Minimum age 10, minimum weight 30kg.

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  • Hukafalls Jet

    Huka Falls is New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction, and its easy to realise why when you see these falls for yourself. Impressive in their volume and mesmerisingly majestic to watch. This 1/2 hour experience with Hukafalls Jet, which is the only jet boat company operating on this section section of the Waikato River and permitted to take you right up to the base of Huka Falls; will have you jet boating past native bush, sheer rock walls and natural hot springs. Combined with their trademark 360° spins, your family with all these thrills, fun and excitement, will be calling out for more! Hukafalls Jet is most definitely a 'must-do family' activity when visiting Taupo.
    Children must be minimum 1metre tall to participate.  Child and family rates available.

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  • Ages 8+

    The Cave Taupo

    The Cave Virtual Reality Studios - New Zealand’s best venues for VR, Virtual Escape Games, Esports, Sim Racing, Solo & Multiplayer Gaming, Corporate Events, Private Studio Hire and... read more

  • Ages 5+

    Parasailing - Big Sky

    Enjoy the thrill of soaring 400 or 800 feet above beautiful Lake Taupo (the choice of height is yours), attached to the back deck of Big Sky’s purpose built nine metre winch boat. Departures are made hourly from the lakefront, and your take-off and landing will be from the back deck of the boat, meaning you can stay completely dry if you choose to, or experience a refreshing foot dip.

    You will be amazed at the unbelievable beauty of New Zealand’s most beautiful lake – Lake Taupo – from the soaring heights of the parasail. You even have the choice of sharing this gorgeous view with friends or family, as Big Sky offer tandem and triple parasailing as well! In fact, Big Sky parasailing in Lake Taupo is suitable for the whole family – from five years of age upwards – and you don’t need any experience to enjoy this fun and exciting activity.

     

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  • Ages 4+

    Rock'n Ropes

    Overcome your fears & get your adrenalin pumping at Rock‘n Ropes, Taupo’s awesome adventure ropes course. Rock‘n Ropes has different adventure options for you to choose from, depending on your nerves and how much time you’ve got. An average degree of unfitness and a genuine fear of heights are quite acceptable. Ask for our family discounts.

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  • AC Baths Thermally Heated Swimming Complex

    AC Baths has a huge indoor leisure pool which links to an outdoor leisure pool, so you can swim indoors or outdoors without leaving the warmth of the thermally heated water. There are safe beach areas for the children and an inflatable obstacle course, a Tarzan swing, bombing zone and two hydroslides. After all that fun and exertion, stop at Splashes Café for some refreshment!

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    • Phone: 07 376 0350
    • Location: Off Spa Road, AC Baths Avenue, Taupo
  • Taupo Mini Golf

    Come and enjoy Taupo’s only 18 hole Mini Golf course, centrally located on the lake front. Fun for all ages. Get a hole in one on the 18th and receive a free game.   A beautifully maintained Mini Golf course with extensive gardens plus also enjoy the amazing back drop of Lake Taupo and the mountains.  A great activity for birthday parties.

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    • Phone: 07 377 1086
    • Location: 11 Northcroft Street, Taupo
  • Ages 12+

    Taupo Quads

    Explore our exciting quad bike trails while winding your way through awesome scenic native bush. Enjoy panoramic views at the lookout where we stop for light refreshments on the 2 and 3 hour trips. These bikes are perfect for all levels and abilities whether you are a novice rider or an expert! They are light, easy to ride and highly recommended for maximum fun! Our native bush trails both suit and test your ability! It is not a farm ride! Trips depart daily and bookings recommended.

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    • Phone: 07 377 6404
    • Location: 1475 State Highway 1, Maroa, Taupo
  • Huka Honey Hive

    Take a photo of yourself as a bee! There are hands on activities for the family with a ride on Buzzy Bee for the children and a picnic area outside at the Honey Hive. Enjoy free tasting of 100 per cent pure honey, plus safe viewing of live beehives, interactive displays and a bee video show. Have a honey ice cream in the café or browse around the Bees Knees shop which has over 600 bee related items for sale.

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    • Phone: 07 374 8553
    • Location: 65 Karetoto Road, Wairakei Park
  • Ages 5+

    The Edge - Indoor Climbing Wall

    With 432 square metres of climbing area and thirty different climbing routes, the Rock Wall is an all weather adventure climbing facility for new to experienced climbers. Qualified instructors are always on hand to offer advice and assist with techniques. Birthday party options available too.

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  • Tongariro National Trout Centre - Turangi

    This Visitor Centre is the home of an extensive collection of Taupo and freshwater fishing memorabilia. The highlight of your visit will be viewing many of NZ's native fresh water fish. Take a walk through the park, see trout in the underwater viewing chamber, feed trout in the children's Fishing Pond and take your very own 'Riverwalk' beside the famous Tongariro River.

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    • Phone: 07 386 8085
    • Location: 4km south of Turangi on SH1, on the banks of the Tongariro River
  • Lilliput Farm

    Wander through ten acres with tree lined lanes to hand feed twenty different species of animals and birds. The children will love meeting and cuddling the baby animals and the play attractions include a space car, pirate ship and time machine. There is plenty of room for a picnic too with a large picnic area, picnic tables and optional BBQ.

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    • Phone: 07 378 2114
    • Location: 136 Link Road, Lake Taupo
Map of New Zealand
  • Central Otago
  • Auckland
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin
  • Coromandel
  • Gisborne
  • Fiordland
  • Marlborough Sounds
  • Manawatu
  • Northland
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  • Queenstown
  • South Canterbury
  • Taranaki
  • Southland
  • Taupo
  • Wanaka
  • Waikato
  • Wellington
  • West Coast
  • Whangarei
  • Bay of Islands
  • Tauranga
  • Gisborne
  • Hamilton
  • Napier
  • Kapiti
  • Palmerston North
  • Whanganui
  • New Plymouth
  • Arrowtown
  • Te Anau
  • Akaroa
  • Ashburton
  • Hanmer
  • Kaikoura
  • Methven
  • Mt Cook
  • Oamaru
  • Tekapo
  • Timaru
  • Abel Tasman
  • Motueka
  • Nelson Lakes
  • Blenheim
  • Picton
  • Catlins
  • Gore
  • Stewart Island
  • Central Plateau
  • Invercargill
  • Cromwell
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Westport
  • Glenorchy

Our favourite destinations…

Auckland

New Zealand’s economic heart and biggest city is also an exciting family visitor destination, situated on a sunny harbour with city beaches just minutes away from the CBD. Orientate yourself by heading down to Viaduct Harbour, wandering the waterfront, checking out the super yachts or enjoying the waterfront restaurants. Nearby is the must-visit Sky Tower along with excellent and kid-friendly museums and tons of exciting activities!

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. Here you will find New Zealand's parliament buildings, including the 'Executive Wing', more well-known as 'The Beehive' due to its distinctive shape. Another icon to look out for is the Wellington Tram, which was the main means of public transport between 1878 and 1964.

Christchurch

With a population of around 400,000 Christchurch, in Canterbury, is the South Island ’s largest city, yet much of it has the feel of a small town. Perhaps that’s why it’s known as the Garden City but with the expansive Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens, Port Hills, River Avon and numerous beaches the city certainly has an open, relaxed feel that’s hard to beat.

Queenstown

With its well-deserved reputation as New Zealand’s activity adventure capital you’ll never run out of activities and things to do in Queenstown, but you may run out of time! With breathtaking scenery, activities and festivals, cafes and restaurants, skiing and snowboarding, shopping and wineries, this lakeside alpine resort rates as one of the world’s top vacation destinations for all ages and seasons.

Rotorua

Rotorua sits on the shore of Lake Rotorua, one of sixteen lakes in the area formed by hundreds of thousands of years of eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The area is renowned for its geothermal activity and top of any activity list is to see the bubbling mud pools that are around the region for yourself. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley offers a first hand insight into the devastation caused by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is a great place to discover steaming volcanic craters and bubbling, spitting  pools of mud!

Nelson and Golden Bay

The Nelson and Golden Bay regions, at the top of the South Island, boast enviable sunshine hours, glorious sandy beaches, safe swimming spots, lots of wildlife to look out for, and Abel Tasman National Park - an absolute must to explore, on foot, by kayak, your own craft or watertaxi.  Nelson is home to a vibrant arts and crafts community with a fabulous Saturday market, and is close to award-winning wineries and family-friendly bike tracks to take you around the coast.

Hawkes Bay

Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and is now known as NZ's Art Deco City.  The Art Deco influence has created a unique city – nowhere else can you see such a varied concentration of art deco style. With over 2,200 sunshine hours a year, Napier is a year-round holiday destination with countless activities to entertain the kids – there's days of entertainment on Marine Parade alone, plus numerous other family-friendly trips and activities.  Add to that the beaches, walks and flat cycle paths, outdoor cafes and entertainment, and you have a perfect holiday destination!

Northland

Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, fishing, historic gum fields, kauri forests – the Far North has it all. With subtropical temperatures, it's often known as ‘the Winterless north', with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Gateway to the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a pretty, lively beachside town and a perfect base for your family holiday. It’s your start point for Bay of Island adventures including day cruises, sailing, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and reef or wreck diving.