Mountain Biking

The Great Lake Taupo region boasts some of the best mountain bike trails in the world. Derived from one of the greatest volcanic eruptions ever known, the region’s free-draining pumice soil means excellent riding conditions year-round – even in mid-winter. We have a fabulous network of cross-country trails with varied terrain and awesome scenery and birdlife. Close at hand are several longer rides such as the Timber Trail. An intermediate, 1-2 day, 85km ride that takes you deep into the Pureora Forest with its ancient forest and native birdlife, awe inspiring suspension bridges and timber-milling history. Or, for a longer ride the Mountains to Sea is an epic 3-5 day, 217km journey taking you through remote parts of the Whanganui National Park and views of the regions volcanoes or this can be broken up into shorter trips if you wish.

Nowhere in Taupo is far from a bike hire shop or a shuttle service, making the opportunity to get out and explore very easy.

Hiking

The Great Lake Taupo region is a hub for walking and hiking with a huge range of walks suitable for all levels. There are many shorter walks such as the Lake Front Lions Walk or a walk along the Waikato River from Spa Thermal Park to the spectacular Huka Falls. This can be linked with the Aratiatia Rapids Walk, which continues along the river to the Aratiatia Hydro Dam and Rapids.

Or, if you want a longer hike the world-famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing one day adventure is a very popular choice. This 7 hour 19.4km trek across active volcanoes featuring unique terrain, active volcanic craters and thermal steam vents and beautiful emerald and blue lakes.

Skiing

The Great Lake Taupo region is the largest ski area in the southern hemisphere with 3 separate ski fields Turoa, Whakapapa and Tukino, all on Mt Ruapehu.. Together Turoa and Whakapapa offer 1050 ha of skiable terrain, with 700m of vertical descent. The ski season usually runs from June until October each year. Mt Ruapehu is the North Island of New Zealand's tallest mountain and is a unique skiing experience in that it is one of the worlds most active volcano and erupted as recently as 2012. Both fields have an excellent variety of terrain to suit all levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as dedicated areas for sledding, tobogganing and tubing.

Fishing and Boating

Lake Taupo is world renowned for its trout fishing and both brown and rainbow trout are plentiful in the cold clean waters where abundant food sources produce large numbers of well conditioned fish. There are many river mouths feeding into the lake providing excellent areas for shoreline fishing. Should you want to get out on the lake there are a number of excellent charter options available and Mary and Ian are only too happy to assist you with arranging this.

Golf

Taupo boasts a number of world-class golf courses.

Wairakei Golf Course and Sanctuary

This course is rated one of New Zealand's top 3 golf courses and is nestled within 180 hectares of natural rolling countryside and surrounded with a 5.5km boundary fence built to prevent pests and predators entering. Both native and exotic trees have been planted and the sanctuary boasts a noticeable increase in both flora and fauna and native birdlife. Endangered species such as takahe and kiwi are released here making for a very unique and pleasant golfing experience.

The Kinloch Club

Voted #1 in New Zealand in 2014, this 18 Hole Jack Nicklaus designed course is the first of his design to be built in New Zealand. The private owned course is available to the public upon request.

Taupo Golf Club

The only golf club in New Zealand with two 18 hole golf courses - The Centennial and Tauhara offering excellent golf year round with modern facilities

Kayaking

There are many places to explore around the lake. A trip to the Maori Rock Carvings in Mine Bay is a must. These carvings are only accessible by water and a fun thing to do. Maybe take a fishing rod and catch a trout on the way.

Another option an overnight trip to somewhere quiet and off the beaten track or perhaps a gentle float down the Waikato river.