Cheap Flights to Taupo

What are Taupo’s most famous landmarks?

Lake Taupo

The lake is the main reason travellers book tickets to Taupo. It covers a massive area of 616 square kilometres, making it the largest lake in NZ and one of the largest in Oceania. The town of Taupo in the northeastern corner of the lake is the best place to base yourself during a holiday due to its great dining and shopping scenes and its proximity to Taupo Airport (TUO). There are endless activities to enjoy on and around Lake Taupo, including hiking trails, water activities, and scenic cruises.

Huka Falls

Huka Falls is located on the Waikato River, which flows out of Lake Taupo. The Falls are located at a point where the river narrows from 100 metres (328 feet) across to 15 metres (49 feet), causing a powerful flow of water to thunder down. The cascades often reach an impressive 250,000 litres of water per second. Hike 1.6 kilometres (one mile) along the Huka Falls trail to see the Falls while holidaying on flights to Taupo. A bridge sits over Huka Falls, offering visitors a front-row view to the waterfall in action.

Tongariro National Park

This iconic spot is one of New Zealand’s most famous national parks. It’s a popular day trip destination for visitors holidaying on flights to Taupo. Tongariro National Park is home to three active volcanic mountains and some of the country’s top hiking trails. The most famous is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is 19.4 kilometres (12 miles) long and takes about eight hours to complete. There are plenty of attractions to see in the park while holidaying on cheap flights to Taupo, including Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu, Taranaki Falls, and Tawhai Falls.

When is the best time to visit Taupo?

Summer is the best time to book airfare to Taupo if you’re hoping to take advantage of water activities on the lake. Temperatures reach a beautiful 23°C with plenty of sunny days. The ideal weather brings in tourists from wide and far, making summer the busiest time to book flights into Taupo Airport (TUO). Book return flights to Taupo and your hotel early for the best deals.

The autumn and spring months reach about 15° to 20°C during the day. They’re a bit chilly for water sports on the lake, but they’re still great times to book tickets to Taupo. Enjoy hiking and cycling trails around Lake Taupo without the same volume of tourists you’d come across in summer. You can still get out on the lake when you book cheap flights to Taupo in autumn or spring, such as a lake cruise rather than kayaking or paddle boarding.

Have a look at airfare to Taupo in the winter for a unique Lake Taupo holiday. Snow falls on the nearby mountains, making for great skiing conditions. This is also the best time to visit the geothermal hot springs around Taupo. Pack warm clothes if you book winter flights to Taupo: temperatures average about 11°C during the day and drop to about 3°C at night.

What are Taupo’s best restaurants and cafes?

The Brantry

The Brantry is one of the best places to grab dinner while visiting the city with flights to Taupo. The menu is centred around modern NZ cuisine and changes regularly to reflect the freshest local ingredients. Plan a dinner at the Brantry to try dishes like laksa prawns, slow-cooked Taupo lamb with hummus and pomegranate, and confit duck leg. Enjoy your meal inside or on the patio by the fire pit. The Branty is popular, so you may need a reservation if you book return flights to Taupo during the busy summer season.

The Bistro

The Bistro combines classic European cooking techniques with the local flavours of the Waikato region. The dishes are creative and beautifully plated. Reserve a table at the Bistro when you book cheap flights to Taupo to tuck into delicious dishes such as golden crackled pork belly with seasonal vegetables, fresh Hawkes Bay fish of the day, and sous-vide calamari with lemon gnocchi. The Bistro also offers a six-course degustation option with matching wine.

Spoon and Paddle

Start off a day of sightseeing by grabbing coffee and breakfast from Spoon and Paddle. This CBD cafe is particularly known for its all-day brunch menu, which includes both cafe classics and innovative dishes. Grab brunch at Spoon and Paddle while holidaying on return flights to Taupo to try poached egg shakshuka, homemade waffles with lemon curd and berry compote, and gingerbread French toast with passionfruit cream. There’s also a great selection of lunch dishes and pastries if you visit later in the day.