Top Things to do in Taupo

Things to do in Taupo start with the lake and the Waikato River. Taupo sits on the central volcanic plateau of New Zealand's North Island, and most of what you can book here happens on the water, above it or beside a geothermal field. Huka Falls moves 220,000 litres of the Waikato River every second, jet boats run right up to its base, and the bungy and swing platforms hang over the same river valley.

Summer is the water season. Boats leave from the Taupo Boat Harbour on the lakefront, and Lake Taupo cruises and Taupo water sports such as parasailing run out of town. The jump platforms are on Spa Road, and skydivers meet at Taupo Airport. When the weather cools, the action moves to the ski fields of Mt Ruapehu, and the geothermal pools take the chill off afterwards.

For an adrenaline hit start with Taupo activities, and if you would rather be walked up a volcano, Taupo tours head to Tongariro National Park, which sits right next door. The list below picks out where to begin.