We left Wellington and headed north to the land of fire and geothermal activity – the Taupo Volcanic Region. The biggest concentration of volcanoes in New Zealand is located here in the center of the North Island.
We had a few days to explore the geothermal areas, the mud pools and the crazy colors of the earth. Taupo and Rotorua are both great places to stay to be near these places. There is no shortage of activities, so I’m sharing a few that we enjoyed in this region.
The Six Best Things to do in Taupo Region of New Zealand
1. Tongariro National Park
This National Park is home to one of the most popular day treks in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We did not plan enough time to do it on this trip, but the pictures we have seen are gorgeous. Part of the reason we didn’t prioritize it is the number of people who are doing it daily right now, but I would love to see it for myself at some point. If this is on your list, make sure to plan for an entire day just for that trek, plus some rest time afterward.
We did pull off the road once we got into the park and enjoyed the views of Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. There was not a cloud in the sky and you could see the outline of Mount Doom perfectly. Yes, I’m referring to THE Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings books.
2. Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo was formed by a volcano long ago and is now the largest lake in New Zealand. From the shores of this lake, you can see the peaks of Tongariro National Park if you have a clear evening. The town is small but has lots of options for entertainment. We enjoyed the views while sipping cold beers in the evening and enjoying coffee and pastries in the morning.
3. Huka Falls
These powerful falls are a short walk from the town center (about an hour). The water color is the same beautiful turquoise we saw all over the South Island. The Huka Falls are located in a park with lots of different overlooks and paths and is a great (and free) place to hang out for an afternoon.
4. Craters of the Moon
Craters of the Moon is a thermal walkway near Taupo. The cost was $8 per person (New Zealand Dollars) for admission. We were there for about two hours, just watching the earth bubble and boil around us. There were only about 15 other people in the entire park while we were there, so it felt like we were on our own most of the time. This is a great spot to learn more about the earth’s crust and the activity going on under our feet.
5. Wai-O-Tapu
Wai-O-Tapu is a theme park for geology. It is a more expensive visit than Craters of the Moon but offers a much larger variety of crazy earth tricks. It is $32.50 per adult (NZ Dollars), and we definitely thought it was worth the price. There are three park sections, which all loop together for a beautiful walk. It was cloudy when we went, so everything seemed especially mystical. It reminded me a lot of Yellowstone, but you can walk this much easier.
I’ve never seen anything like the neon green lake in this park. You have to see it with your own eyes to believe that we are not using a filter.
6. Polynesian Spa in Rotorua
If you spend time in the volcanic zone, you must visit one of the geothermal pools. The Polynesian Spa was recommended to us by our Airbnb host. Our best friends from home instructed us to treat ourselves for our birthdays and sent us with some New Zealand money. This was the perfect way to use it.
The spa is fed by two different springs and is said to have healing powers. We opted for the private pool experience, which was awesome because it was pretty busy when we were there. The views of the lake were gorgeous and it was a great way to relax after a day of exploring.
Final Thoughts on the Taupo Region
This area has so many fun activities for tourists. Most of them cost a pretty penny, so we just prioritized. The towns of Rotorua and Taupo are both great to stay in and have everything you would need.
Exploring this landscape brought back memories of our Iceland trip, but there is much more greenery here. The steam rising from the earth is a constant reminder that this planet is alive. It is impossible for the pictures to really capture those colors, but any photographer will have a blast trying.
If you are visiting the North Island, this is definitely a place I would recommend adding to your itinerary.
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