Lake Taupo Attractions & Things to do

Daily Scenic Cruises – Maori Rock Carvings

Please note we are changing our afternoon departure time from 1.30pm to 1.00pm from 1st November 2024.

Our Daily Scenic Cruises depart from Berth #4 at the Taupo Boat Harbour on Cruise Cat. You’ll love cruising in comfort and style with fabulous views from both the top and bottom decks. Cruise Cat is fully enclosed with large outdoor decks to enjoy close up views of the Maori Rock Carvings.  Children are welcome, and we have colouring-in sheets and wheel certificates available for them.  Cruise Cat is also wheelchair and push chair/stroller accessible.

An informative commentary is given on the volcanic history and Maori mythology surrounding Lake Taupo, and you’ll enjoy a complimentary hot homemade muffin and tea/coffee as you take in the fabulous views of secluded bays and the spectacular snow capped mountain peaks of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.

An independent four-day tour package departing Auckland daily with three nights 4 to 4.5 star accommodation in Rotorua and Wellington. Get the most out of this unique opportunity by marvelling at the shimmering lights of tiny glow worms during a magical subterranean experience at the Waitomo Caves and then enjoy a trip to the Hobbiton Movie Set. On Day 2 take in Rotorua’s impressive geysers, bubbling mud pools, and cultural Maori performances at Te Puia. and a sightseeing tour of Wellington on your final day. Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs are included for all transfers and activities listed.
Duration: 4 days.

Cruise Great Lake Taupo in style and comfort on our luxury catamaran Tiua. Tiua brings smooth sailing to effortless entertaining, as a high-end charter vessel. She blends her original character and style with the latest comfort and class.
Tiua is the only boat on Lake Taupo which combines the relaxing feeling of an eco friendly sailing experience with the comfort of being able to go out in any weather and keep customers out of rain and the cold with her spacious saloon and covered cockpit.

[Tee-ua] Māori

1. (verb) To move with the wind

Synonyms – to relax and immerse oneself in nature and luxury with family and friends.


Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Experience the beauty of a scenic sailing tour to the Māori Rock Carvings, one of the most extraordinary contemporary carvings in the world. Only view-able from the water, the likeness of Ngātoroirangi towers 14-meters above Lake Taupō, surrounded by over 40 smaller carvings..

Escape from hectic life for a while and enjoy the breathtaking views around.
Relax on our charter yacht “Kindred Spirit” and enjoy the superior comfort with a large deck space.
Listen to our experienced skippers and learn about the history of the lake. Give the crew a hand hoisting the sails and take a turn on the wheel or just snuggle under some blankets and enjoy the wide selection of drinks.
Kindred Spirit sails under full sails as much as possible or gently meanders, when it is truly calm, by a quite inboard diesel engine.

Take a dip and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the largest freshwater lake in Australasia (weather dependent).
Duration: 150 to 180 minutes.

Choose between Waiotapu or Oarakei Korako geothermal areas for your first stop on this 7-hour day trip. Then see Huka Falls, Lake Taupo and the surrounding areas. Admission fees to the thermal area of your choice are included, but lunch is at your own expense. This guided small-group tour operates with a maximum of 11 passengers and includes pickup from your centrally located accommodation in Rotorua.

Please note that this tour is not suitable for children under 2 years, as part of the group - It can be booked as a private group tour - please ask TripAdvisor/Viator to contact us for the custom price
Guaranteed departure - Due to low numbers and sustained losses caused by Covid 19, until further notice we will need a minimum of 2 people (or price equivalent) to run tours
Duration: 7 hours.

Enjoy incredible views from coast to coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Jump from 12,000 with 40 seconds of freefall! Capture your skydive with our high quality camera options, all of which will be explained on your arrival. Friends and family are welcome to watch, with plenty of room at the drop zone for spectators. Make your skydive one to remember with Taupo Tandem Skydiving, New Zealand's original drop zone. Since 1992 we've jumped over 300,000 people!
Duration: 2 hours.

Looking for exciting things to do while visiting Taupo? Then look no further! Parasailing is one of New Zealand’s top-rated activities and with us, you’re in great hands. Want to fly solo or with a friend or two? No problem as long as you’re over 70 kgs. You can fly up to 1000 feet for stunning views of Lake Taupo. All flights are 12 minutes long and come with an optional ‘freefall’ decent. Enjoy an optional refreshing dip in the clear lake waters with the Sky dip near the end of your flight. Rise into the air behind the boat and enjoy the peaceful silence of the skies. Take in the panoramic views of Lake Taupo and the tranquil waters below while you drift through the clouds.
Duration: 1 hour.

A seven day independent tour exploring some of the best locations in New Zealand. This tour departs Auckland daily with six nights 4 - 4.5 star accommodation including two nights in Rotorua, one night in Wellington, one night in Kaikoura and two nights in Christchurch before concluding in Queenstown. Activities include city sights in Christchurch, whale watching in Kaikoura, travel on the Coastal Pacific Train (October - April) and Interislander Ferry, plus admission and guided tours of Whakarewarewa and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Duration: 7 days.

An independent four-day tour package departing Wellington daily with three nights 4 to 4.5 star accommodation in Rotorua and Auckland. Visit Whakarewarewa, with its impressive geysers, bubbling mud pools, and cultural Maori performances, Visit the famous Hobbiton Movie Set for a fully guided tour of this unique attraction as well as a boat tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where hundreds of tiny glowworms lights guide the way. Finally, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland on the final day. Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs are included for all transfers and activities listed.
Duration: 4 days.

Want the ultimate freedom??

Get yourself out on the beautiful crystal clear waters of Lake Taupo in the most unique way possible - On a Stand Up Paddle Board. Taking the Lake by SUP means you can get to those secret spots that boats can't and experience with the best of Taupo's scenery and wildlife without the crowds.

You cannot get any closer to the Extraordinary Maori Rock Carvings then on a SUP!!
Duration: 4 to 8 hours.

An independent three day tour departing Auckland daily with two nights 4 - 4.5 star accommodation in Rotorua prior to your tour concluding in Wellington on day 3. The tour includes a full day in Rotorua with a morning guided tour of Whakarewarewa. On day one the tour travels to Rotorua via Waitomo where you will experience a guided tour of the glowworm caves. Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs are included for all transfers and activities listed.
Duration: 3 days.

Journey through the North Island of New Zealand and explore Waitomo, Rotorua and Lake Taupo, and discover the natural beauty of Kaikoura and Christchurch on this 5-day trip from Auckland to Christchurch or vice versa. See the glow worms at Waitomo Caves, relax at Rotorua's geothermal wonderland, see Giant Sperm Whales where mountains meet sea and be mesmerized by the natural beauty of New Zealand. This 5-day tour will have you travelling by coach, train and ferry with plenty of time at leisure to make this holiday truly magical.
Duration: 5 days.

This is an independent three day tour departing Wellington daily with two nights in a 4 - 4.5 star accommodation in Rotorua prior to your tour concluding in Auckland on day 3. The tour includes a full day in Rotorua with a guided tour at Whakarewarewa. On day three the tour travels to Auckland via Waitomo where you will experience a guided tour of the glowworm caves. Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs are included for all transfers and activities listed.
Duration: 3 days.

Enjoy the surreal landscapes and mysterious appeal of a majestic and active geothermal site on this private day tour from Auckland on a luxurious vehicle. Soak in hot steam, marvel at boiling mud pools at one of New Zealand’s most impressive geothermal wonderlands. Look for the luminous green waters of the ominously named Devil’s Bath. Experience a land of fire and ice, Lake Taupō, a stunning natural cauldron, ringed by beautiful snow-capped mountains, and feel the thrill of cascading waterfalls at Huka falls. Be prepared to have your taste buds tingling, with the chance to try an array of exotic artisan honeys in a special tasting room.
Duration: 13 hours.

A journey from Auckland’s bustling cityscape to Taupō’s scenic lakes on a luxury private tour will lead you to marvel at the breath-taking geothermal scenery, stunning waterfalls, and World Heritage-listed Forest reserves. Located in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island lies the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, Lake Taupo, is also a super volcano! Get right up close to explore lake Taupō on an eco-friendly scenic cruise around the Western Bays of the Lake to see the huge Māori rock carving at Mine Bay. Investigate the hidden bays, beautiful coastline and feel the thrill of cascading waterfalls at Huka falls. Be prepared to have your taste buds tingling, with the chance to try an array of exotic artisan honeys in a special tasting room.
Duration: 13 hours.

Maori Rock Carvings Package

Our Great Lake Taupo Mountain Bike and Kayak Package is without a doubt the best way to experience the spectacular scenery by bike from the Great Lake Trail, and view the amazing Maori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay by water. You will meet us at our base in Acacia Bay, where we will load your bike then set off by road to Kinloch to ride the W2K (Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay) section of the Great Lake Trail. Your ride will take approximately 2 - 2.5 hours, ending at the beautiful Whakaipo Bay where you gourmet lunch awaits you. After lunch, you will head down to the crystal clear waters of Lake Taupo to begin your kayak trip to the famous Maori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay. Allow up to 8 hours for this trip. 
Duration: 8 hours.

Visit and experience the heart of New Zealand's North Island... Lake Taupo is not only home to one of New Zealand's greatest waterfalls but also the biggest lake! Whether it's the stunning landscape or the various activities - Lake Taupo is one New Zealand's must do's!!

The Great Lake Tour can be altered in any way to fit your needs!

Please be aware that this is a booking request. We will be in touch as soon as possible following your booking time to confirm your tour. This is to allow for customisations and ensuring you get the best out of your desired tour.
After we have confirmed your booking, we also confirm a final tour price. This can be paid in-person or simply by bank transfer. We will take away the $5.00 booking fee which you have paid to make this booking.

Duration: 10 to 12 hours.

Download a vibrantly-narrated mp3 audio guide combined with a map detailing the area of your tour.

Enjoy the action packed city of Taupo on this self-guided audio tour of the city. You will see how the stunning lake city of Taupo has gently transformed by taking you on a journey which will highlight its geothermal history and the massive lake on which it sits where water based and adrenaline activities keep many tourists busy.
Duration: 2 to 5 hours.

Thermal Getaway hosts unique insights for travellers wanting to experience a fulfilling and enriching journey that will create lasting memories. Uncover under cave wonders, geothermal hotspots, discover vibrant cities and be immersed in the awe-inspiring Māori heritage that holds a special bond with this ancient land. A huge range of family attractions and adrenaline activities, as well as peaceful nature-based experiences that will get you back in touch with the real world. Come and discover New Zealand’s most unique geothermal experience on this luxury private tour.
Duration: 4 days.

This private 2-day highlight sightseeing tour from Hamilton offers a bespoke exploration of some of the North Island’s most iconic destinations, including Tauranga, Rotorua, and Taupō. On this exclusive journey, you'll travel through stunning scenic landscapes, visit the breathtaking McLaren Falls, and explore the vibrant Tauranga harbor and its picturesque beaches. In Rotorua, you'll experience the region’s renowned geothermal wonders, while in Taupō, you'll enjoy the beauty of Lake Taupō, the largest freshwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere, and witness the majestic Huka Falls. Throughout the tour, you'll receive personalized attention, ensuring a comfortable and enriching experience. Accommodation and meals can be tailored to your preferences and will be arranged separately, as they are not included in the tour price.
Duration: 2 days.