Wairakei

Travel Guide

Wairakei which includes mist or fog as well as an individual femail
Wairakei showing forest scenes and a park
Wairakei showing mist or fog and a hot spring
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave featuring forests and a river or creek
Get close to volcanic wonders and experience the geothermal power of the center of New Zealand's picturesque North Island.

Make Wairakei your home base when you want to explore the geothermal power of the Earth. See bubbling mud pools, silica terraces and geysers, the result of one of the most violent volcanic eruptions of the last 5,000 years. Approximately 1,800 years ago Taupo Volcano erupted, sending plumes 31 miles (50 kilometers) into the air.

Wairakei is a small town north of Taupo in the Central Volcanic Plateau, close to a highly active geothermal area. Sightsee the geothermal valleys, silica terraces and geysers of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave.

Discover more examples of the impressive power of nature at Wairakei Tourist Park. Here you can go on a boardwalk tour of the Craters of the Moon, a landscape of boiling mud craters and steam vents. Then watch mighty surges of water at Huka Falls and Aratiatia Rapids.

The tourist park also features a number of outdoor activities to get the heart pumping, including wakeboarding at Anarchy Boarding Park, a rope course and 50 miles (80 kilometers) of mountain bike tracks. For some leisurely sporting activity, play the 18 holes of the Wairakei Golf Course, which is spread across 445 acres (180 hectares)) of the Wairakei Geothermal Park.

After your activities, soothe your body in the thermal pools of Wairakei Terraces. Then stroll along the walkway to see the man-made geysers and man-made silica terraces. Along the way, you will pass by carvings that depict local Maori history and culture. While you are here, go to the recreated Maori village and pick up insights into how the Maori people have used the thermal pools for healing. You can also see traditional tattooing and weaving, learn about the culture and try a traditional barbecue.

With a number of accommodation options and its close proximity to natural attractions, Wairakei is a superb choice for an active and fun-filled holiday. This spectacular location is 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) from the center of Taupo, a 3-hour scenic drive from Auckland and a 4.5-hour drive from Wellington.

Wairakei Resort Taupo

Wairakei Resort Taupo

4 out of 5
640 Wairakei Road, Wairakei
The price is NT$2,346 per night from Sep 8 to Sep 9
NT$2,346
NT$2,698 total
Sep 8 - Sep 9
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Wairakei. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"From check in to check the amazing team looked after us and made us feel so welcome. Our room was great, comfy beds and all we needed for our little weekend get away for our anniversary. Oh and the hot pools were amazing, wish they had some sort of entertainment though, like a big screen playing ..."

Reviewed on 2025/8/3

Wairakei Resort Taupo
Huka Lodge

Huka Lodge

5 out of 5
271 Huka Falls Road, Wairakei
The price is NT$46,376 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
NT$46,376
NT$53,332 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury lodge in Wairakei. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
"Beyond exceptional."

Reviewed on 2023/8/9

Huka Lodge
Lakefront Lodge Taupo

Lakefront Lodge Taupo

3 out of 5
100 Lake Terrace, Taupo
The price is NT$1,639 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
NT$1,639
NT$1,885 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Taupō. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (907 reviews)
"we arrived late so having the option of having a meal via room service was great . The room was very clean , bed was comfy and fairly quiet"

Reviewed on 2025/8/3

Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ika Nui Taupo

Ika Nui Taupo

3 out of 5
64 Lake Terrace, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Taupō. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (329 reviews)
"Spacious apartment with great facilities"

Reviewed on 2025/8/4

Ika Nui Taupo
Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments

Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments

3.5 out of 5
59-61 Kaimanawa Street, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Taupō. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (707 reviews)
"Facilities and service"

Reviewed on 2025/7/3

Quest Taupo Serviced Apartments
The Village Resort

The Village Resort

4 out of 5
82 Lake Terrace, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Taupō. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (340 reviews)
"Well equipped apartment rooms, heated pool was great. Nice restaurant next door & markets on a Sunday morning! We had a great stay!"

Reviewed on 2025/8/3

The Village Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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