School’s out! Spring into the holiday fun in Taupō District
Enjoy a host of family-friendly activities these school holidays that'll put a real spring in your step.
If the 60 playgrounds in our district aren’t enough, then check out some more options below. With all this on offer, you’re going to need to plan how to fit it all in!
World Car Free Day Community Event
Head along to Riverside Park (next to Active Arts) on Friday 22 September from 3pm to celebrate World Car Free Day. Learn more about the day, enjoy the fun activities, have a ride with Kath from Kids Bike Taupō and chat to our team about shared pathways.
Get closer to nature with Kids Greening Taupō
For those green-fingered kids, or anyone interested in improving our environment, there is a community planting day run by Kids Greening Taupō this Saturday 23 September, 10am at Whakaipō Bay. Get your gumboots on and make the most of the spring weather, as this will be the final planting day of the season.
Taupō Gypsy Fair
An annual event, the Taupō Gypsy Fair offers funky stalls, traditional vehicles and entertainment for the whole family. And did somebody say free entry? Yes they did! Why not get down to the fair on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September in Tongariro North Domain from 9am to 5pm.
Wearable Arts School Holiday Fun at Taupō District Libraries
If you're a fan of the beloved children's books by Julia Donaldson, but think that the characters might be due for an updated wardrobe, you're going to love Taupō District Libraries' school holiday activities! Come along to the themed sessions in Taupō and Tūrangi or take part in the independent activities, or the exciting scavenger hunt, at any time throughout the holidays in our Mangakino, Tūrangi and Taupō libraries. More info at www.taupo.govt.nz/
Tūrangi Spring Clean Week
Tūrangi has been named a finalist for the Most Beautiful Small Town in the Beautiful Awards 2023 and boy, are we proud. Join in the community Spring Clean Week this 25 September to 1 October. Why not spring clean your own yard or simply pick up that random piece of litter. We want to showcase Tūrangi in its best light, so get together with your neighbours and take the time for a walk around this beautiful town.
Dinosaur Hunt at Taupō Museum
Those dodgy dinos have escaped into Taupō Museum - again! Find them hidden around the exhibits and you might even learn some of the history of the area while you are it. A great wet weather activity available from 10am to 4pm daily.
Brick Club at Taupō Library
Do your kids have a creative itch? Then let them scratch it at Brick Club at the Taupō Library on Wednesday 4 October from 3.30pm to 5pm. It’s free for 5 to 12 year olds and all bricks are supplied – just bring your imagination. Email your child’s name, age and caregiver’s details with the subject Brick Club to taupolibrary@taupo.govt.nz and let those imaginations run wild!
Te Ātea, Taupō
Finalist in the 2023 Kiwi’s Choice award category of the Beautiful Awards, Te Ātea is a must see! The large central pou is carved from ancient totara sourced from the Waipohutu forest at the base of both Tītīraupenga and Pureora mountains. Ngā Wai Puna Ariki, the 13 steel columns around Te Ātea, represent the rivers and streams that feed into Lake Taupō. Wander around this compelling new place, take a seat to breathe in the outstanding views of the lake and maunga, or visit the nearby cafés and restaurants.
Go fish! At Tongariro National Trout Centre in Tūrangi
If somethings smells a bit fishy, it’s probably a fish. Keen to show your kids how it’s all done? Take a trip to the Tongariro National Trout Centre. The popular kids’ fishing program runs every day over the school holidays, for kids aged three to 18 years old. Everything is included for any young aspiring anglers to enjoy catching a rainbow trout and having it smoked to eat or take home. Make sure you book early to avoid missing out. Alternatively, visit for the day, enjoy the walking trails, underwater viewing chamber, rainbow trout hatchery, freshwater aquarium, and lots more!
AC Baths and Tūrangi Turtle Pools – for a splash or a swim lesson
Under-fives are free to bring for a dip for locals at the Turtle Pools in Tūrangi or Taupō’s AC Baths.
Check out the Turtle Pools' aquatic climbing wall towering about 3.5 metres above the water as well as a bombing pool where you can practice seem mean manus.
The AC Baths have a large outdoor leisure pool, lane pools, hydroslides, tarzan swing, private thermal mineral pools and even an on-site café for hungry stomachs. For the older kids, why not sign them up for swim lessons at the AC Baths Swim School to hone their swimming skills? taupo.govt.nz/swimmingpools
Pump tracks
Get the bikes, scooters, or trikes out at one of the rohe’s pump tracks. The Cycle Skills and Pump Track in Crown Park by Taharepa Road is particularly fun, with working traffic lights, giveway signs and intersections to navigate. The cycle park provides local tamariki and visitors alike with somewhere safe to practice their biking skills and get to understand road rules. Beep beep!
Disc Golf at Spa Park
All you need is a frisbee, some comfortable shoes and a good aim! Well, maybe two out of three. Spa Park is home to two disc golf courses. Round out your day with a play on the playground, hoon on the pump track and a soak at Otumuheke Stream - fun for the whole family! Disc golf is free and a fun way to get in some outdoor exercise. Find out more at www.taupodiscgolf.com
Climb the wall at Taupō Rockwall
Open every day during the holidays, pop in for a climb on the 12m high adventure wall featuring everything from beginners’ climbs to advanced overhangs. You’ll need suitable clothing and footwear so jandals and crocs are out, but the friendly instructors are on hand to show you how to climb and belay safely. Bring an adult to help you out and you’ll be climbing to new heights faster than you can say ‘school holidays rock.’ All the details you need to know are at www.taupo.govt.nz/rockwall. You could even join up for afterschool classes – term four membership details are online now! Indoor-rockwall/clubs-and-classes
Walks and hikes
There are so many short and long walks to enjoy in the rohe. Depending on your fitness level and time constraints, you can enjoy a loop walk of Lake Rotopounamu, discover Craters of the Moon (for a small fee for locals) or tackle one of the big guns like Taranaki Falls in Tongariro National Park. You might even get to play in the snow on the way! Find out more at www.lovetaupo.com/walks
Take a musical breather
Need a break? Let someone else entertain you! The Great Lake Centre is host to some awesome professional musical talent these holidays. Organise a sitter for the little ones while you join one of New Zealand's favourite duos Cam and Sam performing the hits of two greats with Elton John vs Billy Joel NZ Tribute. Or maybe the Bruce Springsteen Experience is more your thing? Or Join in the celebration of 50 years of Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of The Moon’ with Eclipse - The Music Of Pink Floyd In Full Quadraphonic.
