Taupo, Turangi & Tongariro - Getting There

Fly, Drive or Bus

Located in the centre of the North Island, Great Lake Taupo is an ideal ocation to stop and stay.

If travelling by car, make Great Lake Taupo your base camp – within a short distance you have a diverse region to explore.

Great Lake Taupo’s location at the crossroads of the North Island has a lot of advantages. State Highway 1 is the main arterial route for the North Island. It links Auckland and Wellington. From Taupo, Auckland is 3.5 hours to the north. Wellington is a leisurely 5.5 hours south.

State Highway 5 - the Thermal Explorer Highway - is a busy visitor route that runs from sunny Hawke`s Bay Wine Country (a two hour drive to the south-east) to Rotorua (a one hour drive to the north-east).

The famous Waitomo Caves are also a short two hour drive from Taupo.

Closer to Lake Taupo you will find the trout fishing mecca of Turangi, and the quiet lakeside town of Mangakino. The world famous Tongariro National Park (and Tongariro Northern Circuit) are also close by.

By Air

Daily Domestic Flights

Air New Zealand operates daily flights to and from Taupo Airport, situated just 8 kilometres from the town's centre. Auckland and Wellington are the main gateways for both domestic and international travel. For more information about scheduled flights go to www.airnz.co.nz.

International flights direct from Sydney, Australia into Rotorua Airport are now available, making travel to the nearby Taupo region easier than ever. Check Air New Zealand for flight details.

On average, Taupo airport has approximately 35,000 aircraft movements per year, adding to the 'buzzing' vibe of Taupo.

Click here to view Charter Flight options >>

By Land

The drive to Great Lake Taupo takes you through a land of dramatic changing landscapes.

Great Lake Taupo is situated at the crossroads of State Highway 1 and the Thermal Explorer Highway. State Highway 1 is the country's main trunk line for road travel, connecting Auckland to Wellington. The Thermal Explorer Highway is the Central North Island's scenic touring route, starting at Auckland and ending at Napier. Along the highway you'll get to see captivating landscapes, geothermal activity, crystal clear lakes and streams, Maori culture and many wineries.