©Justin Foulkes/Lonely Planet
Taupo
Accessible only by boat or kayak, these 14m-high carvings were etched into the cliffs near Mine Bay by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the late 1970s. They depict Ngātoro-i-rangi, the Māori navigator who guided the Tūwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupō area 1000 years ago.
You can reach the carvings by boat with Sail Barbary or Ernest Kemp Cruises, or paddle to them with Taupo Kayaking Adventures or Canoe & Kayak.
7.27 MILES
The Waikato, New Zealand’s longest river, squeezes through a narrow chasm at Huka Falls, making the dramatic 11m drop into a surging crystal-blue…
19.33 MILES
Tucked away from other more popular thermal fields, Orakei Korako is (since the destruction of the Pink and White Terraces, at least) arguably NZ's most…
4.54 MILES
This small but fascinating museum has an excellent Māori gallery and quirky displays, which include a 1960s caravan set up as if the occupants have just…
10.62 MILES
Two kilometres off SH5, this gorge was a spectacular part of the Waikato River until a hydroelectric dam was plonked across the waterway, shutting off the…
7.04 MILES
This geothermal area sprang to life when hydroelectric tinkering around the power station in 1958 caused water levels to fall. The pressure shifted,…
Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley
9.06 MILES
This thermal walk (1.8km) on a secluded property explores the steaming banks of the Wairakei Stream and the deep pit of the Witches Cauldron. Kids will…
Tongariro National Trout Centre
22.48 MILES
Around 4km south of Tūrangi, this DOC-managed trout centre has a hatchery, an underwater viewing chamber, a museum with polished educational displays, a…
10.67 MILES
The best spot to watch the raging Aratiatia Rapids. The first lookout is an easy five-minute walk from the rapids' car park, while the upper lookout takes…
4.54 MILES
This small but fascinating museum has an excellent Māori gallery and quirky displays, which include a 1960s caravan set up as if the occupants have just…
4.76 MILES
At the end of the long town beach are patches of warm water right in front of a car park. It’s no Coromandel, but have a dig and you might find some…
7.04 MILES
This geothermal area sprang to life when hydroelectric tinkering around the power station in 1958 caused water levels to fall. The pressure shifted,…
7.27 MILES
The Waikato, New Zealand’s longest river, squeezes through a narrow chasm at Huka Falls, making the dramatic 11m drop into a surging crystal-blue…
7.34 MILES
Excellent spot to view spectacular Huka Falls. From the car park, cross the bridge and turn left.
6. Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley
9.06 MILES
This thermal walk (1.8km) on a secluded property explores the steaming banks of the Wairakei Stream and the deep pit of the Witches Cauldron. Kids will…
10.62 MILES
Two kilometres off SH5, this gorge was a spectacular part of the Waikato River until a hydroelectric dam was plonked across the waterway, shutting off the…
10.67 MILES
The best spot to watch the raging Aratiatia Rapids. The first lookout is an easy five-minute walk from the rapids' car park, while the upper lookout takes…