Guidebook for Taupo
Food Scene
Great southern India food. Five star food at inexpensive prices. A top chef so allow a little extra time for him to prepare your meal. BYO wine at a very reasonable corkage.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
MALABAR Nepalese & Indian Cuisine
40 Tūwharetoa StGreat southern India food. Five star food at inexpensive prices. A top chef so allow a little extra time for him to prepare your meal. BYO wine at a very reasonable corkage.
Excellent food at mid-range prices. A good selection of wines and beers but the wine is relatively expensive.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Plateau Bar + Eatery
64 Tūwharetoa StExcellent food at mid-range prices. A good selection of wines and beers but the wine is relatively expensive.
Right on the lake edge. Has been one of Taupo's top restaurants for about 30 years. Expensive but a great place to see sunsets over the lake and the western hills.
Edgewater Restaurant
243 Lake TerraceRight on the lake edge. Has been one of Taupo's top restaurants for about 30 years. Expensive but a great place to see sunsets over the lake and the western hills.
Across the road from the lake with views to the mountains of Tongariro National Park. Average food at average prices but a great selection of on-tap beers. Best for a lazy lunch on a beautiful day.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jolly Good Fellows
80 Lake TerraceAcross the road from the lake with views to the mountains of Tongariro National Park. Average food at average prices but a great selection of on-tap beers. Best for a lazy lunch on a beautiful day.
Sightseeing
A must for any visitor to Taupo. You will be amazed at the turbulence of the Waikato river and the colour of the water. You will wonder how water can be so blue and yet so clear. A good option is to park at Spa Thermal Park (end of County Ave) and take the beautiful river walk to the falls (about 45 minutes each way). Take your bathers and have a swim in a thermal stream where it joins the mighty Waikato River.
205 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Huka Falls station
A must for any visitor to Taupo. You will be amazed at the turbulence of the Waikato river and the colour of the water. You will wonder how water can be so blue and yet so clear. A good option is to park at Spa Thermal Park (end of County Ave) and take the beautiful river walk to the falls (about 45 minutes each way). Take your bathers and have a swim in a thermal stream where it joins the mighty Waikato River.
These spectacular carvings rise straight out of the crystal clear waters of Lake Taupo. Accessed by water but there are cheap tour options from the Taupo Boat Harbour.
I like to tell people that the carvings date from ancient times but in fact they were carved only about 30 years ago by master Maori craftsmen.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings
Mine BayThese spectacular carvings rise straight out of the crystal clear waters of Lake Taupo. Accessed by water but there are cheap tour options from the Taupo Boat Harbour.
I like to tell people that the carvings date from ancient times but in fact they were carved only about 30 years ago by master Maori craftsmen.
Arts & Culture
A small and interesting museum that covers the early settlement of Taupo. An excellent display of Maori carvings and early trout fishing exploits. The trout were introduced in the late 1800's and in the early days they were humungous - some as big as salmon.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taupo Museum
4 Story PlA small and interesting museum that covers the early settlement of Taupo. An excellent display of Maori carvings and early trout fishing exploits. The trout were introduced in the late 1800's and in the early days they were humungous - some as big as salmon.
Essentials
A full supermarket with a wide range of groceries and fresh fruit and vegetables.
72 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Countdown Taupo
Tongariro StreetA full supermarket with a wide range of groceries and fresh fruit and vegetables.
PAK'nSAVE
131 Ruapehu StSimilar to Countdown. Generally a little cheaper.
Entertainment & Activities
Two 20 metre training pools, a leisure pool complex and hydro slides. Also a rock climbing wall
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
AC Baths and Thermal Hot Pools station
Two 20 metre training pools, a leisure pool complex and hydro slides. Also a rock climbing wall
Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs
State Highway 5Shopping
Glass blowing, glass items for sale and a glass sculpture garden.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lava Glass - I-Studio Yokuqhekeka Ngezibalo, Isityalo Sokuqala, Igaleriya Yezobuciko, Ikafé
165 State Hwy 5Glass blowing, glass items for sale and a glass sculpture garden.