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The middle of New Zealand's North Island sits on top of a lot of volcanic activity, and kids find that fascinating. In Taupo and Rotorua you can watch mud bubble, see steam pour out of the ground and swim in naturally hot water. We spent several days between the two towns with our kids, then 5 and 8. Here's what they loved, plus one thing nobody warned us about.
Taupo
Taupo sits on Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. Fun fact for the kids: the lake fills the crater of a supervolcano.
Our kid-approved picks in Taupo:
Craters of the Moon. A boardwalk loop through steaming vents and bubbling mud. Easy for little legs and a great first look at geothermal activity.
Huka Falls. The Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge and thunders over the falls in bright blue water. If you're lucky, you'll see someone kayak over them.
Otumuheke Stream at Spa Park. A free natural hot stream where it meets the cold river. Kids can sit in the warm water and splash in the cool.
Kayak the Waikato River. A gentle paddle and a fun way to see the river up close.
Tongariro South Domain playground. Plan on hours here. It's right on the lakefront.
The airplane McDonald's. You eat inside a real retired plane. It has been called the world's coolest McDonald's.
DropZone on a rainy day. Indoor playground, trampolines, bowling and an arcade.
For grown-ups, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the world's best day hikes (also known as the walk through Mordor for Lord of the Rings fans). If that's too big a day with kids, the scenic drive to Tongariro National Park is a great alternative. You can also browse Taupo tours on GetYourGuide.
Rotorua
Rotorua is about an hour north of Taupo and is known for geothermal parks, Māori culture and, yes, another great playground.
Our kid-approved picks in Rotorua:
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. See the orange-rimmed Champagne Pool and the Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts once a day in the morning. Check the time and arrive early.
Redwoods Treewalk. Suspension bridges strung between giant redwood trees. Kids love it, day or night.
Rotorua Canopy Tours. A zipline adventure through native forest.
A Māori cultural evening. Te Puia and Mitai both offer evening experiences with a performance, haka and a hangi dinner cooked in an earth oven. Te Puia also has geyser viewing.
The lakefront playground. Another epic one, right on Lake Rotorua.
Hobbiton. The Lord of the Rings movie set is a day trip from Rotorua.
The sulphur smell
Rotorua has a strong sulphur smell, like rotten eggs. With so much geothermal activity, it's strong in parts of town, and even the tap water has a distinct taste. My little ones did not like it at all! It wasn't always there, and we still loved our time in Rotorua, but it's good to warn your kids before you arrive.
Tips for Rotorua and Taupo with kids
Pack swimsuits in your day bag. Hot pools and warm streams pop up everywhere.
Stay on boardwalks and marked paths in geothermal areas. The ground and water can be dangerously hot.
Pair the two towns. They're close enough to base yourself in one and day-trip to the other.
You'll want a car to get between towns and parks. Compare rental car prices on DiscoverCars.
Stay connected with an eSIM like Holafly, so maps and messages work from the moment you land.
Book popular evening experiences ahead. You can browse Rotorua tours on GetYourGuide.
See where this fits in our 4-week New Zealand itinerary, or let me plan your trip.
Happy Adventuring!
Jen
Get dropped on a remote beach and walk back, explore Labyrinth Rocks and swim in turquoise water. Our kid-approved guide to Abel Tasman.