Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Many of Taupo's attractions are outside the town, with a high concentration around Wair-
akei Park to the north.
Taupo Museum
(
www.taupo.govt.nz/museum
;
Story Pl; adult/child $5/free; 10am-4.30pm)
With an excellent Maori gal-
lery and quirky displays, which include a 1960s caravan set up as if the occupants have
just popped down to the lake, this little museum makes an interesting rainy-day diversion.
The centrepiece is an elaborately carved Maori meeting house, Te Aroha o Rongo-
heikume. Set up in a courtyard, the 'Ora Garden of Wellbeing' is a re-creation of NZ's
gold-medal-winning entry into the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show. Historical displays cover
local industries, a mock-up of a 19th-century shop and a moa skeleton, and there's also a
gallery devoted to local and visiting exhibitions. Don't miss the rose garden alongside.
MUSEUM
Maori Rock Carvings
Accessible only by boat, these 10m-high carvings were etched into the cliffs near Mine
Bay by carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the late 1970s. They depict Ngatoro-i-ran-
gi, the visionary Maori navigator who guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the
Taupo area a thousand years ago. See the Watersports section (
Click here
)
and Tours sec-
tion (
Click here
)
for companies that arrange trips.
CARVINGS
Huka Falls
MAP
WATERFALL
(Huka Falls Rd)
Clearly signposted and with a car park and kiosk alongside, these falls
mark the spot where NZ's longest river, the Waikato is slammed into a narrow chasm,
making a dramatic 10m drop into a surging pool. As you cross the footbridge, you can see
the full force of this torrent that the Maori called Hukanui (Great Body of Spray). On
sunny days the water is crystal clear and you can take great photographs from the lookout
on the other side of the footbridge. You can also take a few short walks around the area or
pick up the Huka Falls Walkway (
Click here
)
back to town, or the Aratiatia Rapids Walk-
ing/Cycling Track to the rapids.
Aratiatia Rapids
MAP
WATERFALL
