Turangi is a great base for a family holiday in the central North Island. There is plenty to do without spending hours in the car, with rafting, short walks, hot pools, mountain scenery and easy outdoor adventures all close by.
The trick is choosing activities that suit the ages of your kids. What works for a five-year-old is very different from what will keep a teenager entertained.
Here are some of the best things to do in Turangi with kids, broken down by age.
Why Turangi works for families
Turangi is surrounded by some of the best outdoor experiences in the central North Island, but you don’t need to be an experienced tramper or hardcore adventurer to enjoy them.
For families, one of the biggest advantages is how close everything is. You can go rafting in the morning, grab lunch in Turangi and still have time for a short walk or hot pools in the afternoon.
There are also activities for a wide range of ages, which makes Turangi particularly useful if you are travelling with children of different ages.
Best things to do in Turangi with kids, by age
Young kids: approximately 5-10 years
With younger children, the priority is usually keeping things fun, manageable and not too long.
Family rafting on the Tongariro River
You don’t have to tackle big rapids to experience rafting on the Tongariro River.
Tongariro River Rafting offers a family-friendly rafting experience designed for children aged 5-11. It explores a calmer section of the river, with gentle water, beautiful scenery and plenty to keep younger adventurers interested.
It’s a good introduction to rafting without throwing younger kids straight into Grade 3 rapids.
Find out more about family rafting with Tongariro River Rafting.
Tokaanu Thermal Pools
A soak in the hot pools is an easy option after a busy morning outdoors, particularly if the weather has cooled down.
There is also a short thermal walk where kids can see steaming pools and bubbling geothermal activity.
Short family walks
You don’t need to attempt a full-day hike to enjoy the scenery around Turangi.
Look for shorter walks where children can explore the bush, see the river or reach a waterfall without committing the family to hours on the track.
The Tongariro River Trail is particularly handy because you can choose how far you want to walk rather than having to complete a fixed route.
Taupo lakefront
If you’re heading north from Turangi, the Taupo lakefront is an easy addition to the day. There is plenty of room for kids to run around, have an ice cream and enjoy the lake without needing another organised activity.
Tweens and teens: approximately 11+
Once kids reach their early teens, you can start adding a little more adventure.
Grade 3 white water rafting
This is where the Tongariro River gets seriously fun.
Our classic Grade 3 rafting trip is suitable from age 11 and takes you through around 60 rapids on the Tongariro River.
You’ll spend around two hours on the water, with a mix of rapids, calmer scenic sections and native bush along the river.
No previous rafting experience is required. Your guide takes care of the technical side and teaches everyone what they need to know before getting onto the river.
Explore Tongariro River white water rafting.
Mountain biking
For active families, the Turangi area has plenty of opportunities to get onto two wheels.
The Tongariro River Trail is one of the easiest places to start. Families can choose a section that suits their ability and turn around when they’ve had enough.
Walks and waterfalls
Older kids and teenagers can generally handle longer walks, opening up more options around Tongariro National Park.
Taranaki Falls is a popular option if you want something more substantial than a short bush walk without committing to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
There are also numerous shorter tracks around the national park that can be fitted around other activities.
Fishing
Turangi is famous for trout fishing, and for families with older children it can be a completely different way to experience the Tongariro River.
If you’re new to fishing in the area, going with a local guide can make the experience much easier than trying to work everything out yourself.
How rafting fits into your family day
One of the advantages of rafting in Turangi is that it doesn’t have to consume the entire day.
That means you can build rafting into a wider family itinerary rather than treating it as the only activity for the day.
For example, you might raft in the morning, have lunch in Turangi and then spend the afternoon at the hot pools or exploring one of the nearby walks.
For families travelling around the central North Island, Turangi also works well as a base rather than simply somewhere to drive through between Taupo and Tongariro National Park.
Family planning tips for Turangi
- Check age requirements. Some activities have minimum ages, particularly adventure activities.
- Don’t over-plan. Leave some room in the day for kids to slow down, explore or simply have a break.
- Pack for changing weather. Conditions around Turangi and Tongariro National Park can change quickly.
- Mix active and relaxed activities. A morning adventure followed by an easier afternoon often works better than trying to squeeze several major activities into one day.
- Allow more than one day. Turangi is much easier to enjoy when you’re not trying to fit everything into a quick stop on the way somewhere else.
A simple 3-day Turangi family itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and explore Turangi
Settle in, explore the town and take an easy walk beside the Tongariro River. Keep the first day relaxed, particularly if you’ve driven a few hours to get here.
Day 2: Rafting and hot pools
Make this your adventure day.
Choose the family rafting trip for younger children aged 5-11, or the Grade 3 white water rafting trip for families with children aged 11 and over.
Afterwards, have lunch in Turangi and spend the afternoon relaxing at Tokaanu Thermal Pools.
Day 3: Tongariro National Park
Head towards Tongariro National Park for a family walk and some of the region’s best volcanic scenery.
Choose the walk according to the age, fitness and enthusiasm of your kids. There’s no need to tackle the Tongariro Alpine Crossing to experience the national park.
Make Turangi part of the family adventure
Turangi is sometimes treated as a stop on the way to somewhere else, but for families it is worth slowing down and staying a little longer.
You’ve got rivers, mountains, hot pools, bike trails and family-friendly adventures all within easy reach.
And if your kids are ready to get onto the water, we’d love to show you the Tongariro River.