ROAD TRIP - Rotorua to Taupō

Rotorua to Taupō via SH 5 1hr, 82km

SIDE TRIP - Waiotapu to Murupara (Te Urewera National Park) via SH 38 27min, 40.2km

SIDE TRIP - Waiotapu to Ātiamuri (Waikato River Trails) via Waihikite Valley Rd 29min, 28km

SIDE TRIP - Mihi to Ōrakei Kōrako via SH 5 onto Tutukau Rd 17min, 20km

From one lake to another, this journey along SH 5 takes you through country transformed by forestry, with tantalising glimpses of lakes and mountains and a chill in the air as the road climbs higher.

Consider checking out Tokoroa while you’re in the area. Then, back on track, a detour to Ātiamuri may inspire you to explore more by bike, as the Waikato River Trails section of New Zealand’s Cycle Trail passes through here.

Closer to Taupō, factor in a stop at Wairākei to walk among steamy geysers and mud pools or, even better, to slide into the Wairākei Terrace hot pools. Back on the road, another detour to Huka Falls is worth considering at this point, as this must-do attraction is not far off the main route into town.

TAUPŌ

Situated around the shoreline of LakeTaupō, it’s no surprise this town has a strong water focus. Trout fishing, kayak and boat tours to a beautifully carved cliff face are among highlights. The diverse terrain right on the doorstep of this part of the country is a drawcard that brings adventurers and explorers to the region.

> Ōrakei Kōrako

> Huka Falls

> AC Baths Hot Pools

> DeBretts Hot Springs

> Huka Prawn Park

> Craters of the Moon Geothermal Walk

> Otumuheke Stream Natural Hot Pools

> Hole in One Challenge

> Māori Rock Art

Huka Prawn Park, Taupō

© Huka Prawn Park, Taupō

There’s something to suit everyone from the cycling and mountain biking trails and geothermal parks to rushing waterfalls and the slopes of nearby Mt Ruapehu. Not to mention the thriving café, restaurant and bar scene in Taupō’s town centre. Lake Taupō is actually a huge volcano but not to worry; its most recent eruption was in 181AD. Back then, it went off in full force and it’s said the glow was strong enough to change the sky as far away as Europe and China. Perhaps it’s an indication of the lasting impression Taupō will leave long after a visit.

Māori rock art, Taupō

© Todd Eyre

HIGHLIGHTS

THERMAL WALKS Walk alongside Waikato River from Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls. Near the start of the track is Otumuheke Stream, where you can enjoy a free soak in the hot water.

TOKOROA Walking tracks, fishing and mountain bike trails all feature in timber town Tokoroa, on SH 1.

HUKA FALLS The sheer power of more than 220,000 litres of water per second gushing over this 11m waterfall is a little terrifying! The charge of the water at great speed is, in a word, awesome. Viewing platforms and a bridge provide vantage points and photo opportunities. If you want to get a rush from another angle, a jet-boat ride or river cruise to the base is brilliant, too.

Huka Falls, Taupō

© Todd Eyre

CRATERS OF THE MOON This lunar-like landscape is Taupō’s premier geothermal park. Pathways and elevated platforms gaze over great plumes of steam and torched, fizzing earth.

GREAT LAKE TRAIL This 71km mountain biking and walking trail journeys deep into native bush on the edges of Lake Taupō, traversing remote areas of shoreline. The track is part of Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail network and is broken up into three key sections which can be ridden in either direction.

Great Lake Trail, Taupō

© Logan West

MINE BAY MĀORI ROCK CARVINGS In a western bay of Lake Taupō are Māori carvings embedded high into rocky cliff faces. The site can only be reached by boat and best viewed up close from a kayak. Created in the late 1970s by a team of carvers, the works depict a Māori navigator who guided tribes to Taupō more than a thousand years ago.

HUKA PRAWN PARK Once you’ve toured the farm and fed the baby prawns and fished for your own, there are aqua trikes, pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards and water cannons to have fun with.

Huka Prawn Park, Taupō

© Huka Prawn Park, Taupō

L’ARTÉ Created by a mother and daughter duo, the space features a mosaic outdoor living room and other quirky delights, all hand-built on site.

LAVA GLASS STUDIO, GALLERY AND SCULPTURE GARDEN Enjoy more than 600 outdoor glass sculptures including a 15-piece waterfall. Indoors, master blowers transform hot blobs of molten into a masterpiece.

SIMPLY UNMISSABLE

LAKE TAUPŌ HOLIDAY RESORT Home to New Zealand’s only swim-up bar as well as daily big-screen movies, enjoyed from the thermally heated lagoon pool.

SPA THERMAL PARK When geothermal waters from Ōtumuheke Stream meet Waikato River, it forms a natural hot pool. Venture through this large park to find free hot pools, upgraded changing facilities and a cute shipping container café.

DOUGHBOATS New Zealand’s only motorised doughnut-shaped boats.

HUKA FALLS RIVER CRUISE When it comes to Huka Falls, these are the best seats in the house. An open-air rear deck and front platform soak up the views while sailing exceptionally close to the falls.

WAIRĀKEI TERRACES A series of spotless thermal pools enriched by natural minerals. This pretty outdoor venue sits below the striking Wairakei silica terraces.

ARATIATIA DAM RELEASE Watch the release of thousands of litres of water. A spectacular attraction with several viewing points.

Huka Falls River Cruise, Taupō

© Huka Falls River Cruise

SIDE TRIP - MURUPARA (TE UREWERA)

Murupara was once a staging post for travellers to stop on their journey between Rotorua and Taupō. It’s now a timber town sitting on the edge of the expansive Kāingaroa Forest – the largest plantation forest in the southern hemisphere at 2900 square kilometres. With four marae in the area, there’s a strong Māori population who are more than willing to impart knowledge about their culture, history and way of life. Another drawcard to Murupara is its easy access into Te Urewera National Park. Home to the iridescent Lake Waikaremoana, a favourite for kayaking, hunting and fly-fishing, it’s also the namesake of one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, The Lake Waikaremoana Track. There are also many other walks accessible within the park: the small settlement of Āniwaniwa near the lake’s shores has a museum and accommodation and is the starting point for several short walks. What’s special about this park is that it protects the largest area of native forest remaining in the North Island and is home to nearly all species of New Zealand native birds. Make sure you pack a camera.

Lake Waikaremoana

© Chris McLennan

SIDE TRIP - ŌRAKEI KŌRAKO

Known as The Hidden Valley, it’s here where you’ll find the most active geysers in New Zealand. The scenery is constantly changing with more than 20 springs spouting up from underground. Situated within the Taupō Volcanic Zone between Taupō and Rotorua and complete with boiling hot springs, bubbling mud pools and some of the world’s largest and most striking silica terraces.

Venture underground to the thermal Ruatapu Cave, extending more than 36m to the remarkable ‘Pool of Mirrors’ at the bottom. At the weekend, the on site and aptly named Mud Cake Café serves refreshments.

Ōrakei Kōrako Geothermal Park & Cave, Taupō

© Ōrakei Kōrako Geothermal Park & Cave, Taupō

SIDE TRIP - ĀTIAMURI

A section of the Waikato River Trails cycling journey follows the Waikato River from Whakamaru Dam to Ātiamuri, a former hydro village between Rotorua and Taupō. The 25km, grade-three section reveals arguably some of the best scenery of the entire ride.

South Waikato © Waikato River Trails

© Waikato River Trails