20 Apr

Turangi; the holiday destination you never knew you needed!

Turangi is a short 42 kilometre drive south of Taupo. Follow SH1 past Taupo along the scenic eastern side of the lake. Don’t forget to stop at Bulli Point for a swim on your way over!

This lovely town is cradled between rivers, lakes and mountains. It is the region you never knew you had to visit on your next kiwi holiday.

The natural beauty of this area speaks for itself through the multitude of outdoor activities to be enjoyed in the area. Along with some pretty amazing accommodation and dining to match.

The mountains bring you…

It’s quite impossible not to find something to do around here. Whether it be mountain biking with the kids, taking mum and dad up Mount Ruapehu on the gondola for an epic lunch, or hiking the world famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. And those are just some of the land based activities!

Read More: Sky Waka and Rafting combo deal.

Beautiful full and half day hikes are kind-of a staple around here. With Taranaki Falls, Tama Lakes, the Tongariro River Trail and the Lake Rotopounamu track, just to name a few.

Winter holidays are not off the cards either, with the North Island’s ski destination, Mount Ruapehu, just a 45 minute drive from Turangi. Ruapehu features two ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa.

Read More: Why rafting in winter is awesome.

Both have great accommodation available close by for avid skiers and boarders wanting to be the first up the hill.

The rivers and lakes bring you…

The rivers and lakes bring us world class trout fishing which can be enjoyed on your own exploring the many foot accessible fishing pools on the Tongariro River.

Alternatively, try a full day guided raft fishing trip, experiencing parts of the river not accessible by foot. The Tongariro Trout Centre also offers fun beginner fishing for the kids, as well as a trout hatchery and museum.

Now I know the word rafting just caught your eye, so another amazing thing to do in Turangi is join one of our white water rafting trips. We will take you on a journey through deep, lush gorges covered in native New Zealand vegetation.

All while navigating exciting rapids with your white water rafting guide. Can you tell this blog was written by a raft guide yet?

Tokaanu hot pools provide a lovely way to finish off any day’s activities with natural thermal pools either enjoyed publicly or privately.

Food and accommodation…

You are going to need to eat and sleep on your holiday, and luckily there is no shortage of beautiful lodges, hostels, freedom and facility-filled campsites in the area. And absolutely no shortage or variety in places to eat either. Whether you want somewhere to go for a special occasion, or just need somewhere to fuel up before your next adventure! Let’s just drop some names of some places you will want to know about down here …

Tongariro Lodge: Great for a special occasion. Dining and accommodation.

Lakeland House: Dining and accommodation on Lake Taupo waterfront, stunning!

Sky Waka, Whakapapa cafe: Ride the Gondola up for lunch or dinner, hike a couple of hours to the summit of Mount Ruapehu if you’re feeling adventurous.

Oreti Village/Restaurant: Amazing food with a beautiful view of the lake. Accommodation available.

You can also try Bachcare Holiday Homes: With over 2,000 holiday homes in New Zealand you’re sure to find some perfect for your getaway.

The Central North Island has so much to offer, the lake provides all the goodness of being on the coast without actually being on the coast. While having the luxury of enjoying all things you wouldn’t find at your beach destination; mountains, rivers, skiing, hiking, rafting!

Turangi really isn’t a place you want to miss on your next kiwi road trip or holiday. Come and experience some Central North Island goodness!

You might also be interested in:

Turangi driving times and distances.
The BEST things to do in Turangi.