Day 5: Rotorua → Wai-O-Tapu → Taupō
2026-11-06 · Rotorua → Taupō
50 mi · 81 km · 1h 15m @40mph
At Wai-O-Tapu by 9:45 for the 10:15 Lady Knox geyser, then the Champagne Pool — the most surreal colours on the island. South past Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon into Taupō, then an afternoon kayak to the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori rock carvings, 10 m high and only reachable by water.
Stops
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland~09:15geothermalSurreal geothermal park — the Champagne Pool and Devil’s Bath; Lady Knox geyser at 10:15.
- Huka Falls~10:30viewpointA thundering torrent of vivid blue water forced through a narrow gorge below Lake Taupō; short walks and a riverside trail.
- Craters of the Moon~11:45geothermalSteaming vents and bubbling mud craters on an easy boardwalk loop near Taupō.
- Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings~13:00sight10 m carvings of Ngātoroirangi, reachable only by boat or kayak on Lake Taupō.
Tonight: Taupō
No place picked for this night yet.
In Taupō base plan
- Hipapatua Recreational Reserve (Reid’s Farm) freedom-camp
Self-contained — sprawling free riverbank reserve on the Waikato, minutes from Huka Falls. Basic vault toilets only.
- Taupo Top 10 Holiday Park holiday-park
Close to the lakefront and Huka Falls; full hookups and hot pools.
- Whakaipo Bay (DOC) DOC-campsite
Quiet lakefront DOC backup to Reid's Farm, self-contained only. Handy if Reid's is full or you want a calmer night.