Craters of the Moon

Taupo

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This geothermal area sprang to life when hydroelectric tinkering around the power station in 1958 caused water levels to fall. The pressure shifted, creating new steam vents and bubbling mud pools. The gentle 2.7km walk takes about 45 minutes and loops through a mass of steaming features. A side track constructed in late 2019 adds a five-minute climb to perhaps the most impressive crater, which hisses like a factory boiler.

It's more active from June through August when it's cold and wet (from December through February, summer can dry everything out). It's signposted from SH1, at the Hub, about 5km north of Taupō.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Huka Falls.

    Huka Falls

    1.04 MILES

    The Waikato, New Zealand’s longest river, squeezes through a narrow chasm at Huka Falls, making the dramatic 11m drop into a surging crystal-blue…

  • Orakei Korako geothermal park, New Zealand.

    Orakei Korako

    12.38 MILES

    Tucked away from other more popular thermal fields, Orakei Korako is (since the destruction of the Pink and White Terraces, at least) arguably NZ's most…

  • The Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu or Sacred Waters – Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand.

    Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

    25.56 MILES

    The most colourful of the region's geothermal attractions, Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters) has a variety of features packed into a relatively compact, heavily…

  • Taupō Museum

    Taupō Museum

    2.96 MILES

    This small but fascinating museum has an excellent Māori gallery and quirky displays, which include a 1960s caravan set up as if the occupants have just…

  • Maori rock carving at Mine Bay, Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand.

    Māori Rock Carvings

    7.04 MILES

    Accessible only by boat or kayak, these 14m-high carvings were etched into the cliffs near Mine Bay by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the…

  • Aratiatia Rapids

    Aratiatia Rapids

    4.01 MILES

    Two kilometres off SH5, this gorge was a spectacular part of the Waikato River until a hydroelectric dam was plonked across the waterway, shutting off the…

  • Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley

    Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley

    2.05 MILES

    This thermal walk (1.8km) on a secluded property explores the steaming banks of the Wairakei Stream and the deep pit of the Witches Cauldron. Kids will…

  • Tongariro National Trout Centre

    Tongariro National Trout Centre

    29.51 MILES

    Around 4km south of Tūrangi, this DOC-managed trout centre has a hatchery, an underwater viewing chamber, a museum with polished educational displays, a…

View more attractions

Nearby Taupo attractions

1. Huka Falls

1.04 MILES

The Waikato, New Zealand’s longest river, squeezes through a narrow chasm at Huka Falls, making the dramatic 11m drop into a surging crystal-blue…

2. Huka Falls Lookout

1.06 MILES

Excellent spot to view spectacular Huka Falls. From the car park, cross the bridge and turn left.

3. Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley

2.05 MILES

This thermal walk (1.8km) on a secluded property explores the steaming banks of the Wairakei Stream and the deep pit of the Witches Cauldron. Kids will…

4. Taupō Museum

2.96 MILES

This small but fascinating museum has an excellent Māori gallery and quirky displays, which include a 1960s caravan set up as if the occupants have just…

5. Hot Water Beach

3.89 MILES

At the end of the long town beach are patches of warm water right in front of a car park. It’s no Coromandel, but have a dig and you might find some…

6. Aratiatia Rapids

4.01 MILES

Two kilometres off SH5, this gorge was a spectacular part of the Waikato River until a hydroelectric dam was plonked across the waterway, shutting off the…

7. Aratiatia Lookouts

4.08 MILES

The best spot to watch the raging Aratiatia Rapids. The first lookout is an easy five-minute walk from the rapids' car park, while the upper lookout takes…

8. Māori Rock Carvings

7.04 MILES

Accessible only by boat or kayak, these 14m-high carvings were etched into the cliffs near Mine Bay by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the…

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