Taupo, Turangi & Tongariro Rainy Day Activities

Here's what you can do on rainy days

The cool air, the surreal mist and light drops of rain drizzling down.. who says you can't have fun when the sun isn't shining? There are tons of things to do in Great Lake Taupo even when the weather is not at its best. Some things are even better experienced when it is wet.

Here's a list of cool actitivites you can do when it's pouring outside.

Taupo DeBretts Thermal Resort – Perfect on a rainy day! The kids will love splashing in the warm water playground and dragon slide, while you enjoy a soak in a hot thermal pool or indulge in a spa treatment. Hours 7.30am –9.30pm

AC Baths - Thermally heated public swimming pools. Indoor outdoor leisure pool, two hydro slides, private spas, two 25 metre pools, great family fun. Open from 6am-9pm Mon-Sun. Adults $7, Child $2.50, Family $18.00 (2 adults & 3 children). Taupo Events Centre, cnr Spa Road and AC Baths Avenue, Taupo.

Huka Prawn Park - New Zealand’s only Prawn Park and home to the famous “Shawn the Prawn”. Park’s activities include “Shawn’s Walk”, prawn fishing and “Killer Prawn Golf”. Dine in Taupo’s only Riverside Restaurant. Open 7 days from 9am. Prices from Adult $20, Child $12, Family pass $50.00 (2 adults & up to 5 children).

Chateau Tongariro Ice Rink - Dreaming of being the next Torvil or Dean? Here till 6 February 2011, the covered outdoor Chateau Tongariro Ice Rink is the perfect place to go with the family when it's pouring. Where else can you ice skate in the middle of summer?

White Water Rafting - Ideal wet weather entertainment for people who are going to get wet anyway! Tongariro and Rangitaiki River options. Family prices start at $75 per person or white water rafting from $105 per child, $115 per adult.

Lake Cruises - Chris Jolly, Ernest Kemp, Alice the Lady of the Lake and Barbary all offer daily covered cruises on Lake Taupo to the Maori Rock Carvings. Huka Falls River Boat offers cruises on the Waikato River to the Huka Falls. Enquire at the Taupō or Turangi i-SITE Visitor Centres.

Trout Fishing - On Great Lake Taupo. Catch a wily trout or two in warm, covered boats. For rates and further information contact the Taupo and Turangi i-SITE’s.

Taupo Indoor Climbing Wall - Taupō Events Centre, 432 sq metres of climbing area with 30 different climbing routes. Open 5pm-9pm Monday to Friday, 12noon-9pm Saturday and Sunday. Gear hire and instruction available. Situated at the Taupo Events Centre, AC Baths Avenue, Lake Taupō.

NZ Clean Energy Centre Tours - The NZ Clean Energy Centre offers public tours Monday to Friday at 11am. Group tours can be scheduled at other times by special request. The fee is $10 per adult, children under 16 with parents are free. The tour is roughly 3 ½ hours showing 3 solar hot water systems, 3 small scale wind turbines (one a rooftop turbine), 2 solar systems generating electricity, a geothermal heating system, a demonstration of a small (1 kW) hydro generator for use on farms & lifestyle blocks, an electric vehicle charging station, an on-site sewerage processing system, a rainwater collection system, and an excellent example of green, energy efficient architecture. Phone 07 376 7107 or 021 728 875.

Huka Honey Hive - Watch bees in their glass viewing hives and see a fascinating video, sample a myriad of honey products and see a wide range of souvenirs at the 'Bees Knees' Cafe. Open daily 9am-5pm. Free admission. Situated off SH1 north in Wairakei Tourist Park, Lake Taupo.

Laser Tag - Indoor fun for individuals or groups. Located at Taupo Adventure Park on SH5 north towards Rotorua, 10 minutes from Lake Taupo.

4 Wheel Motorbikes - Get down and dirty in the mud! Great fun in the rain with wet weather clothing provided. Enquire at the Taupo or Turangi i-SITE Visitor Centres.

Taupo Quad Adventures - Get down and dirty in the mud. Great fun in the rain with wet weather clothing provided. Situated 20 minutes north of Taupo on SH1.

Starlight Cinema - Five theatres in this complex. Check newspapers or phone 378-7515 for movie programme. Located in Starlight Arcade, between Horomatangi and Tamamutu Streets, Lake Taupo.

Taupo Bungy & Cliffhanger - Join thousands of jumpers from around the world who have taken the plunge with Taupō Bungy. Their unique cantilever bungy platform that sits 47 metres above the Waikato River is designed to hold you and 99 others. Located on Spa Road, Lake Taupo.

Taupo Museum - Changing exhibitions and displays make the museum an interesting stopping point. Open daily 10am-4.30pm. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. Situated in Story Place, Lake Taupō.

Taupo Puzzleworld - A multitude of activities including Giant Maze, Golf, Drum Kit, Model Railway, and 3 D Gallery. Cafe and puzzle shop on site. Entry is free. Just pay for activities. Open daily from 10am - 4pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Waitagni Day and ANZAC Day. Located on SH5, 10 minutes from Taupo.

Chipmunks Playland and Cafe - Relax over a coffee while the kids have fun in their superior playlands and playgrounds, which offer the latest, safest and best play equipment available. 11 Totara Street. Open 7 days 9.30am – 5.30pm. Adults free Children from $7.90. Call 07 3774445.

Vertical Assault - Cafe and Climbing Wall with 26 routes, 14 metre vertical climb, 20 metre lead climb. Open 10am-6pm daily. Ngawaka Place, Turangi.

Volcanic Activity Centre - Audio visuals and interactive displays about the Taupo volcanic zone. Earthquake simulator and more. Open daily 9am-5pm week days, 10am-4pm weekends and public holidays. Situated in Wairakei Tourist Park, Lake Taupo, off SH1 north.

Wine Tasting at Scenic Cellars – Scenic Cellars has a large range of value and premium wine labels from New Zealand and around the world. They also have a great tasting area on their mezzanine floor – The Balcony - so keep an eye out for upcoming tasting events.

Creative Cafe, Ceramic Painting & Jewellery Making - A vibrant, inspiring studio-cafe where you can paint your own ceramics. You choose a piece of pottery, unleash your imagination, and create your own masterpiece. Anyone can do it. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Closed Mondays except School and Public Holidays. Located at the Creative Cafe, 83 Heu Heu Street, Lake Taupo.

Arts and Crafts Trail - Several studios and galleries are open for viewing. Ask at the Taupo or Turangi i-SITE Visitor Centres for a brochure.

Lava Glass Studio - Watch hand-manipulated art glass being formed at temperatures of 1,000°C. Browse the adjoining gallery of unique New Zealand artworks which include a wide range of collectible art glass pieces. Open 7 days, 10am-5pm. SH5 Taupo-Rotorua Road, Lake Taupo.

Walks, Hikes and Tramps - Put on your wet weather gear and enjoy some of the many walks in the area. Pick up a Great Lake Taupo Walkways brochure or DOC brochure from the Taupō or Turangi i-SITE Visitor Centres.

Taupo Public Conveniences - Taupo Superloo is situated on the Tongariro South Domain on Tongariro Street. Cost 50 cents; showers and lockers available; free mother’s room. Free toilets located at the Boat Harbour, Tuwharetoa Street outside Farmers, Suncourt Shopping Centre, on the Tongariro North Domain, and behind the Fire Station.

For more information on any of these and more activities visit the Taupo or Turangi i-SITE.

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