If you’re based in Rotorua and have a free day up your sleeve, Taupō is the perfect getaway. Just over an hour’s drive away, it’s close enough for an easy day trip but packed with so many things to see and do that it feels like a full holiday of its own. From roaring waterfalls and volcanic landscapes to lakeside cafés and high-speed jet boating, Taupō delivers big on adventure, scenery, and fresh air.
How to make the most of your Rotorua to Taupō day trip
Here’s how to make the most of a day trip - including a local favourite and absolute must-do: Hukafalls Jet.
Start Your Morning: Drive South via the Scenic Thermal Loop
Leaving Rotorua, take the highway past bubbling geothermal areas, steaming hillsides, and wide-open farmland. If you’re not in a rush, pull into the Wairakei Thermal Valley lookout — it’s a quick stop with great views of the steaming landscape that gives this whole region its character.
Local tip: Grab a takeaway coffee before leaving Rotorua. There aren’t many stops on the road, and nothing beats sipping a flat white while driving through the misty morning steam rising from the hills.
Stop 1: Visit Huka Falls (Your First Taste of Taupō’s Power)
As you approach Taupō, your first major stop should always be Huka Falls. Even if you’ve seen photos, the real thing is something else - a tight gorge funneling crystal-blue water into a roaring 11-metre drop. The walkway is short, easy, and perfect for all ages.
Local tip: Walk upstream for a few minutes. There are quieter pockets along the river that give you amazing angles of the falls without the crowds.
Stop 2: Ride Hukafalls Jet – The Must-Do Experience
After you’ve seen Huka Falls from the lookout, it’s time to feel the power of the Waikato River up close on a Hukafalls Jet ride. This is hands-down one of Taupō’s most iconic experiences - fast, fun, scenic, and packed with adrenaline.
You’ll blast through the river, spin 360 degrees, skim past cliffs, and get right up to the base of Huka Falls. No other experience gets you this close.
Why it’s a must-do:
- The best (and closest!) view of Huka Falls
- High-speed thrills that suit both adventure seekers and families
- Only takes about 30 minutes - easy to fit into a day trip
- It’s one of those activities people still talk about years later
Local tip: Morning rides are often calmer and clearer - great for photos and GoPro footage. And yes, you will get a bit wet. That’s half the fun.
Stop 3: Lunch by the Lake
After the adrenaline rush, head into Taupō for a relaxed lakeside lunch. With the mountains in the distance and the lake sparkling on a sunny day, it’s one of the most scenic lunch spots in the country.
Great options include:
- The Storehouse – casual, cool, and reliably good
- Espresso Cove – right on the lake, perfect for families
Local tip: If the weather’s good, pick up a takeaway lunch and sit right on the lakefront. You’ll often see people swimming, paddling, or feeding ducks — it’s a proper holiday vibe.
Stop 4: Check out the Māori Rock Carvings
To wind down after an action-packed morning, take a Chris Jolly lake cruise to the famous Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay. The carvings towers above the water and is only accessible by boat.
If you’d prefer to keep things active, you can hire a kayak instead. It’s a longer paddle, but the sense of achievement (and the photos!) is worth it.
Local tip: Wind tends to pick up later in the day on Lake Taupō, so if you’re planning to kayak, aim for earlier in the afternoon when conditions are usually more settled.
Stop 5: Explore Taupō Town or Take a Lakeside Walk
Before heading back to Rotorua, spend a bit of time wandering the lakefront or exploring the boutique shops in town.
If you’re more interested in scenery than shopping, the Great Lake Pathway is a beautiful flat walk with plenty of little beaches and spots to dip your toes in the lake.
Local tip: Check out the “Three Mile Bay” area for a quiet lakeside stroll - it’s a favourite with locals and away from the main crowds.
Evening Return to Rotorua
The drive back to Rotorua in the late afternoon is calm and beautiful, especially if the sun is setting behind the hills. You’ll finish the day tired in the best way - fresh lake air, new memories, and that post-jet-boat buzz that lasts for hours.