Worth a DetourNatureLakesWaterfalls

Taupō

A lakeside town on New Zealand's largest lake, near the roaring Huka Falls and geothermal valleys, and the base for the Tongariro Crossing.

Photo: Daderot · CC0
Best Time to Go
Nov–Apr
Our full guide to Taupō is being written. It's on the North Island list as Worth a Detour.

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1–3 of 18
Must-See
Nature · Geysers

Rotorua

Bay of Plenty
About 39 miles away

Geysers, mud pools and Māori culture.

1 Sight
Must-See
Mountains · UNESCO

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Manawatū-Whanganui
About 50 miles away

New Zealand's best day hike, across volcanic craters.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Nature · Caves

Waitomo Caves

Waikato
About 60 miles away

Boats beneath thousands of glowworms.

Guide Coming Soon

The Full Short List

North Island

Hobbiton, Rotorua and Auckland.

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