Getting There & Getting Around
By Plane - Air New Zealand Link (tel. 0800/737-000; www.airnewzealand.co.nz) flies to Taupo from Auckland and Wellington five times a day, with connections to other destinations. In winter, Mountain Air (tel. 0800/922-812; www.mountainair.co.nz) has daily flights between Auckland and Turangi airports. For a taxi or airport shuttle, call tel. 07/378-5100.
By Coach (Bus) -- InterCity and Newmans buses arrive and depart from the Taupo Travel Centre on Gasgoine Street (tel. 07/378-9032). Magic Travellers and Kiwi Experience also serve Taupo. Guthreys Express (tel. 0800/759-999 in NZ, or 07/376-0027) has daily services from Taupo to Auckland, Rotorua, and National Park village, which is in Tongariro National Park. There is no local bus service but look out for the Tongariro Taupo Hot Bus (tel. 0508/468-287 in NZ; www.hotbus.co.nz), which provides return transport to most attractions. It departs from the i-SITE Visitor Centre on the hour from 10am to 3pm daily. One attraction costs NZ$20 and you pay NZ$5 for each subsequent attraction visited. You can spend as much time as you like at each attraction.
By Taxi -- For service in and around Taupo, call Taupo Taxis (tel. 07/378-5100).
By Car -- State highways 1 and 5 pass through Taupo. All roads in the area are excellent, but drive with care in winter (when they’re icy) and when there’s a heavy flow of logging trucks. The drive to Rotorua is 1 hour; to Waitomo or Napier, 2 hours; to Hamilton or Tauranga, 2 hours; to Auckland, 4 hours; and to Wellington, 5 1/2 hours.
By Bicycle --To rent a mountain bike, contact The Corner Shop (Avanti Centre), 47 Horomatangi St. (tel. 07/378-7381; www.avantiplus.co.nz/taupo); the shop rents adult-size bikes only, NZ$30 per half-day and NZ$50 for a full day. You can also rent bikes from Rainbow Lodge, 99 Titiraupenga St. (tel. 07/378-5754; www.rainbowlodge.co.nz), who have bikes for NZ$25 a half day for guests and non-guests. Taupo is particularly geared for cyclists, with dedicated lanes, shared paths, and numerous recreational off-road rides. For more information check www.biketaupo.org.nz.
A Word on Parking Security
The carparks at Huka Falls Lookout, Craters of the Moon, and Spa Park are very prone to theft. Volunteers do patrol some carparks but make sure you remove all valuables from your vehicle and lock all doors. Lock other possessions in the trunk where they cannot be seen, and report anyone acting suspiciously in carparks to Taupo Police (tel. 07/378-6060). The good news about parking in Taupo township is that it is generally free.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
