Wairakei Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Wairakei featuring mist or fog as well as an individual female
Wairakei featuring a garden and forests
Wairakei showing a hot spring and mist or fog
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 kilometres) 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 kilometres) 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 kilometres) from the centre 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 Rp1.312.204 per night from 6 May to 7 May
Rp1.312.204
Rp1.509.034 total
includes taxes & fees
6 May - 7 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Wairakei. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
Good, but.....
"The public areas are very good, with lots of sporting amenities for families, and the staff are very friendly and professional. Location is excellent if you are happy to be out of town a bit - approx. 10 minute drive. But the rooms are a little dated and in serious need of a refresh (at least ours ..."

Reviewed on 2 Apr 2025

Wairakei Resort Taupo
Huka Lodge
Huka Lodge
5 out of 5
271 Huka Falls Road, Wairakei
Stay at this 5-star luxury lodge in Wairakei. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (29 reviews)
"Beyond exceptional."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2023

Huka Lodge
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
Lakefront Lodge Taupo
3 out of 5
100 Lake Terrace, Taupo
The price is Rp865.689 per night from 4 May to 5 May
Rp865.689
Rp995.542 total
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Taupo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (822 reviews)
"Nice and quiet and good staff"

Reviewed on 7 Apr 2025

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.
Shinkou House UE - Newly Built Secure and Hypoallergenic
Shinkou House UE - Newly Built Secure and Hypoallergenic
3 out of 5
64 Lake Terrace, Taupo, Waikato
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Taupo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (302 reviews)
"Very spacious unit with separate bedroom. Well located - park your car & walking distance to CBD everything you need. Reasonably priced."

Reviewed on 6 Apr 2025

Shinkou House UE - Newly Built Secure and Hypoallergenic
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 Taupo. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (695 reviews)
"in unit washer and dryer are very convenient"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2025

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 Taupo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and free bicycles on-site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (313 reviews)
"Loved this hotel. The people working the property were great, very helpful and very friendly."

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2025

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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