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Why Taupō is a great place for a family holiday
With so many great things to do in Taupō, it makes an idyllic location for families on a New Zealand road trip. From its beautiful lake to its proximity to ski fields, Taupō attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round. And with awesome cycle and walking tracks, a superb swimming complex, and loads of natural attractions, Taupō ticks the holiday boxes for kids of all ages.
Check out our recommendations of the top best things to do in Taupō for the whole family.
Image: Mead Norton - Tourism New Zealand
Why you should stay at a family-friendly campsite
Travelling in a motorhome as a family is all about spending time together and making awesome memories. So, it’s important to stay at a campground that makes this possible. By choosing a family-friendly campsite, you’ll have access to all the amenities and facilities you need as a family. This means things like playgrounds and other entertainment for the kids, a laundry facility, and a central location close to attractions and shops.
Family-friendly campsites are a great way for your kids (as well as parents!) to make friends too. Many families return to their favourite holiday parks each year and catch up with the same friends each time. Because they’re geared up for families, these campsites are generally well-run by owners who keep them safe and well-maintained.
The best family-friendly campsites and holiday parks near Taupō
Keen to explore some of the great things to do in Taupō? Let’s take a look at some of the top family-friendly campsites worth checking into while you’re there.
Image: Miles Holden - Tourism New Zealand
Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
76 Napier-Taupō Road, SH5, Taupō
This awesome Taupō holiday park has it all. Set up your camper at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort’s park-like grounds overlooking Lake Taupō. Make use of the full facilities including a kitchen, barbecues, laundry, toilets, showers, a playground and Sky TV room. There’s even an onsite café for a good coffee, milkshake, ice cream or lunch. But wait there’s more… the kids will be kept busy all day at the awesome waterpark next door (discounted rates for holiday park guests). The waterpark has freshwater pools and spas, indoor private pools, hydroslides and a warm water playground. And for the grown-ups, the day spa is the perfect place to unwind and treat yourself with a massage or body treatment. Bliss!
Taupō DeBretts Spa Resort is only 15 minutes’ walk to the lake and a short drive into the town centre.
Parklands Motor Lodge
25 Te Arahori Street, Turangi (45 minutes’ drive from Taupō)
Just a little further out from Taupō, in the trout fishing mecca of Turangi, is Parklands Motor Lodge. This great campsite is the ideal location for families keen on heading to the snow, tackling the Tongariro Crossing, or having a go at river rafting. There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained with a great playground, bouncy pillow, swimming pool, and gaming room. Enjoy a soothing soak in the spa pool and have a relaxing drink at the onsite bar and dinner at the restaurant. If you’ve got a keen fisherperson in the family, there’s a smokehouse for filleting and smoking your catch, and a drying room to dry out your gear.
Motutere Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park
2819 State Highway 1, Turangi (about 30 minutes’ drive from Taupō)
Sitting about halfway between Taupō and Turangi, the Motutere Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park is both family-friendly and dog-friendly. And because Britz campers are also dog-friendly, you can finally bring along those all-important furry family members on holiday. This beautiful holiday park is located right on the edge of Lake Taupō. Facilities include a playground, TV/recreation room, laundry, dump station, barbecue area, and unlimited free WiFi.
Lake Taupō Holiday Resort
41 Centennial Drive, Taupō
This fantastic centrally located resort is the ultimate playground for a family holiday. Lake Taupō Holiday Resort’s thermally-heated lagoon pool includes a swim-up bar and café – cocktails anyone? It even includes a cool waterfall for the kids to play in. At night, enjoy a soak while a movie plays on the big screen. And if the kids want to burn off some energy, send them to play on the hydroslides. There’s also a games room, pump track, playground, pedal carts, tennis court, and mini golf. The resort even has the option of powered sites that come with your own private bathroom.
Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park
16 Rangatira Street, Taupō
Located super close to Taupō ’s town centre, the Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park has everything needed for a superb family holiday. The kids will love swimming in the heated pool complete with a Manu rock and a ‘Ricochet Slide’. There’s also a thermal water plunge pool (around 33-35 degrees) which is a great spot to relax and chat. The holiday park also has a playground, recreation room, dump station, barbecue area, and free unlimited WiFi.
Great Lake Holiday Park Taupō
406 Acacia Bay Road, Taupō
Set in five acres of gorgeous, landscaped grounds, the Great Lake Taupō Holiday Park is an idyllic holiday spot. The campground is just 3 km from Taupō ’s town centre and makes a great base for exploring the area. Kids will love the playground, cubby house, and games room. Dogs are also welcome (limited sites so phone ahead).
Whakaipo Campsite
Keen to try freedom camping in Taupō? The Whakaipo DOC Campsite is the perfect place to camp next to Lake Taupō. The site is set in a beautiful park with native bush surrounds. Make the most of the walking and mountain biking tracks nearby. It’s the perfect spot for families keen on kayaking, swimming, and making the most of the lake. This campsite is for certified self-contained campers only (all Britz campervan hires are self-contained). Bookings are not required, so it’s first come, first served.
Family-friendly attractions in Taupō
Here are a few of the top family-friendly Taupō attractions worth adding to your travel itinerary:
Huka Prawn Park
A visit to Huka Prawn Park makes for an ideal family activity while you’re in Taupō. Start off with a guided tour through the prawn nursery to hand-feed the baby prawns. The park also has an awesome activities park where you can get out on the water on a pedal boat or stand-up paddleboard. Afterwards, take a walk along the Riverside Trail then soak your feet in the geothermal foot baths. Finish off your visit with a tasty lunch of giant freshwater prawns cooked in garlic butter.
Mind Junction Activity Park
Kids of all ages will love a visit to Mind Junction. Wander through the maze, take a ride on a flight simulator, and get hands-on with the interactive displays. There are six awesome activities to choose from including a LEGO display room, mini golf, and a shooting simulator.
Huka Falls Walkway
One of the top things to do in Taupō is a visit to the incredible Huka Falls. Watch from the footbridge as more than 220,000 litres of water per second crashes over a waterfall. To enjoy more of the natural beauty of this stunning spot, take a walk along the Huka Falls track. The walk winds its way through the surrounding forest with some great vantage points along the way to see the falls and snap a great photo.
Image: Fraser Clements - Tourism New Zealand
Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs
Soak away the day with a soothing spa at Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs. The perfect activity for a chilly day! Taupō is one of New Zealand’s most active thermal regions. Taupo DeBretts sits on a prime ‘hot spot’ location – a geothermal spring known as Onekeneke. DeBretts also has a fantastic waterpark with hydroslides. Even better, you can camp onsite at the campground and receive discounted waterpark entry rates.
Ready for your family campervan trip to Taupō?
Take the first step toward your Taupō family holiday and book your Britz campervan hire today. We suggest picking up your camper from our Britz Auckland branch. It’s just a three-hour road trip to Taupō. And with so many excellent family-friendly campsites to choose from, you can be sure of a comfortable, safe, and fun camping holiday.
For more help planning your Taupō campervan holiday, download the free thl Roadtrip app. Access handy tips for planning and preparing your trip, find out what to expect on pick up and see a full show-through video of your campervan hire.
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