If you haven’t camped in Taupō, can you really say you’ve fully experienced it? We think not. Never fear though, we’ve rounded up all the best places in and around Taupō to pitch a tent at (or cheekily book into a cabin) so if, in fact, you’re yet to pop your camping cherry, you can get straight down to getting down and by that of course we mean ticking camping off your bucket list. What were you thinking?
Here are the best spots for camping in and around Taupō.
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Campground
Waikite Valley Road
Image credit: Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Campground | Facebook
Adventurers will relish staying at Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Campground. Part-way between Rotorua and Taupō, you’ve access to a short eco-trail walk to Te Manaroa Spring and the end of Te Ara Ahi cycle trail. Conveniently, there’s also an on-site hot pool complex to aid muscle (and mind) recovery and a cafe to refuel at between sessions.
Motutere Bay TOP 10 Holiday Park
State Highway 1
TOP 10 Holiday Parks are a bit of an institution in Aotearoa, and they make a great foundation for beautiful camping memories. The Motutere Bay TOP 10 iteration is part way between Taupō and Turangi which is as handy for hikes up Mt Ruapehu as it is for lazy beach days sprawling beside the lake.
Parklands Motor Lodge
Tūrangi
Want to camp with your pooch? Parklands Motor Lodge just outside Taupō, in Tūrangi, is the best camping ground for you. Set yourself (and Fido) up in a pet-friendly campsite then kick back and live the good life, a cold beer in hand from the on-site bar.
Lake Taupō Holiday Resort
Centennial Drive
Image credit: Lake Taupō Holiday Resort | Facebook
For a camping adventure that’s a little bit extra (and has no chill at all), make a beeline for Lake Taupō Holiday Resort. You might be spending the night in a tent but through the day you’ll be riding a wave of nostalgia, careening down water slides, watching a movie on the big screen and living it up in a swim-up bar and cafe curiously called Lusty’s Lagoon—we’re not even kidding.
Great Lake Taupō Holiday Park
Acacia Bay Road
If you’re headed to Taupō to hit the jet boats and have a hair-raising time at Huka Falls, set up camp at the Great Lake Taupō Holiday Park. The camping ground sits on five acres of farmland and pups are allowed off-peak (either side of the Christmas holidays and excluding public holiday weekends), just be sure to ring ahead to confirm your specific dates.
Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park
Rangatira Street
Image credit: Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park | Facebook
If your idea of a holiday is several (thousand) decibels lower, and calmer, the Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park might be a bit of you. As we’ve already mentioned, TOP 10 Holiday Park is pretty renowned in these parts and this one, located just outside of central Taupō offers private campsites, a cold water pool and a thermal plunge, plus all the usual communal facilities and kids’ activities.
Taupō DeBretts Spa Resort
Napier-Taupō Road
What’s a spa resort doing on a roundup of best camping grounds? Quite simply, sometimes you’ve just got to treat yo’self. Besides, Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort does have campsites so technically it still counts. Between you and me it also has a waterpark and a day spa, and yes, that means massages, facials, and all-round total bliss. Camping never looked so boujee, and we’re here for it.
Nothing catch your eye? Check out these Airbnbs instead.
Main image credit: Parklands Motor Lodge.