Lake Taupo Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Lake Taupo. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo

• Lake Taupo 12,000-Foot Tandem Skydiving

• Luxury Sailing - Māori Rock Carvings - Taupo Sailing Adventures

• Classical Sailing—Māori Rock Carvings—Taupo Sailing Adventures

• Taupo Day Trip With Orakei Korako or Waiotapu From Rotorua

There’s no cost just to visit Lake Taupo independently, but many people like to join guided tours of the area—or take to the water, or the air—to make the most of their time. Expect to pay US$35–40 for a Lake Taupo cruise to see the Māori rock carvings, US$80 for a parasailing flight on the lake, or US$200 for a skydive above the lake. Guided day tours to Taupo from Auckland, Rotorua, or Tauranga vary in price.

To get to Lake Taupo—and Taupo town on the lake’s northeastern shore—take a trip to the central North Island, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Rotorua, 97 miles (156 kilometers) southeast of Hamilton, and 170 miles (273 kilometers) southeast of Auckland. Driving is the most efficient way of traveling around the North Island, though you can take a long-distance bus to Taupo from Auckland, Hamilton, or Rotorua, and many guided tours also go this route. Once in Taupo, you have several transportation options—local BUSIT buses, taxis, and rideshare services—but it’s quite a small town and the central lakefront area is walkable.

Yes, Lake Taupo is a very family-friendly destination. If you’re traveling with older kids or teens, check out the range of adventure sports available, including jet boating, white-water rafting, parasailing, bungee jumping, and quad biking. For families with younger kids (and laid-back older ones), there are more relaxed lake cruises, nature walks, and nearby pools and spa facilities.

The central North Island has a noticeably colder climate than many coastal cities, such as Auckland or Hamilton, and it can get quite chilly in the fall, winter, and spring. Ski areas are not far away. Summer (December–February) is the warmest time of year to visit Taupo, and the best for most outdoor activities. However, this time of year is also the busiest, with many travelers flocking here, especially during the New Zealand school holidays in late December and January.

Yes, you need a fishing license to fish in Lake Taupo and nearby Lake Rotoaira. These can be purchased through the Department of Conservation website, and are available for both New Zealand residents and non-residents. Many Lake Taupo fishing charters arrange fishing licenses for their clients, but it’s important to check the terms and conditions because not all companies do, or some only do so on request.