[2025 Taupo Attraction] Travel Guide for Craters of the Moon (Updated May)

Craters of The Moon is a geothermal walkway located in Taupo. The landscape of the place resembles the moon and that’s how it got it’s name! Experience the natural thermal activity of Taupo like bubbling craters, colourful soils and steam vents through a 45 minute walk. The walk is easy with well-formed pathways and elevated viewing platforms. Feeling like as if you have stepped into another world at this park, it is definitely an unforgettable experience for both young and old! Address: 171 Karapiti Road, Taupō Town, New Zealand. Price: Adult - $8, Child(5-15 years old) - $4 Children under 5 years can enter for free. #momentssg #newzealand #unforgettableexperiences

Located just a 10-minute drive from Taupo city center, the "Craters of the Moon" geothermal park is situated in the Taupo volcanic zone on New Zealand's North Island. This unique landscape, filled with steam vents, mud pools, and vividly colored soil, was formed in the 1950s due to changes in underground pressure caused by the development of the Wairakei geothermal power station. The resulting steam vents and sinkholes created a terrain resembling the surface of the moon, hence the name "Craters of the Moon." 🌋 Key Highlights ✅ Main Circular Trail: A 45-minute loop trail made of gravel and wooden boardwalks, suitable for visitors of all ages. ✅ Upper Viewing Platform: Requires an additional 20-minute walk with stairs, offering panoramic views of the main crater and surrounding geothermal features. ✅ Geothermal Wonders: Along the trail, you can marvel at steam vents, mud pools, and colorful soil, showcasing the grandeur and mystery of nature. ⚠️ Important Notes ❗️ Safety Tips: The ground in geothermal areas is unstable and extremely hot. Please follow park regulations and stay on marked paths. ❗️ Prohibited Items: To protect the fragile ecosystem and ensure visitor safety, pets are not allowed in the park. ❗️ Sun Protection: There is no shade along the trail, and it can get very hot, so be prepared for the sun.

New Zealand is famous for its volcanic and geothermal activity and the way this has shaped the islands geography and topography. On my visit for Chinese New Year I had to check out the Craters Of The Moon after seeing it on an advert in Taupō. It is located near Huka falls and it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area. It consists of two walkways that wind through the geothermal activity, it culminates in a raised viewpoint and one of the biggest active steam vents in the country. The landscape itself is stunning and this combined with the rocks, steam and active sulphur is such strange combination. The walk is easy and well laid out with plenty of opportunities to view the steam vents, it really is an out of this world experience. There’s also some wooded areas to walk through and it’s the best place I’ve found so far to see the iconic New Zealand fern. There are toilets at the start and a gift shop at the end, the walk took about an hour so use the toilet before, the walk is also completely exposed with no shade so please use suncream and take water on hot days. 🕰️Business Hours: 9:30-5 💰Average Price per Person: $10NZ £5 for adults and half price for children ‼️ This is an active geothermal area, be careful. I was baffled by the amount of people leaving the tracks to get closer to the steam. It’s very very dangerous, please stay on the designated paths!! ‼️ #celebrateit

Lake Taupo: New Zealand's Largest Freshwater Lake Lake Taupo is New Zealand's largest freshwater lake, with clear waters, a vast area, and a shoreline stretching 193 km. It's a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, with world-renowned rainbow trout fishing areas, and is also perfect for various water activities such as boating, kayaking, windsurfing, and water skiing. The "LOVE TAUPO" sign by the lake is a popular spot for tourists to take photos. Huka Falls: A Natural Wonder Huka Falls, located a few kilometers north of Taupo, is one of New Zealand's most popular natural attractions. The Waikato River plunges 12 meters down a cliff, forming a spectacular ice-blue waterfall. Visitors can view the falls up close along the trails or take a jet boat to the base of the falls for a thunderous experience. Tongariro National Park: A Hiker's Paradise Tongariro National Park, a gift from a Maori tribal chief to New Zealand, features three active volcanoes. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in the park is one of the world's most famous hiking trails, allowing visitors to cross three mountains in a day and enjoy views of craters, geothermal lakes, and ancient lava flows. Craters of the Moon: Unique Geothermal Landscape Craters of the Moon, located north of Lake Taupo, is a vast geothermal area with hot steam rising from the ground and boiling hot springs. Wooden walkways have been built for visitors to explore the craters and fumaroles and feel the energy from within the Earth. Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings: A Cultural and Artistic Marvel The Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings are an iconic cultural attraction in the Taupo region, showcasing traditional Maori knowledge and craftsmanship. Accessible only by boat or paddleboard, the carvings are spread across the cliffs around Lake Taupo, leaving a lasting impression. Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs: A Perfect Place to Relax Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs offers natural hot springs, making it an ideal place for visitors to relax. The park has multiple hot spring pools with varying temperatures to suit different needs. Soaking in the hot springs here relieves travel fatigue and allows you to enjoy nature's gifts. Other Experiences In addition to the attractions mentioned above, Taupo offers many other activities worth experiencing, such as shrimp fishing at Huka Prawn Park and exploring local arts and crafts at the Sunday Market. For thrill-seekers, Taupo also offers extreme sports such as bungee jumping, skydiving, and white-water rafting. Travel Tips • Best Time to Visit: New Zealand's summer and autumn (January to March) are the best times to visit Taupo, with warm weather perfect for outdoor activities. • Transportation: Taupo is about a 3.5-hour drive from Auckland and about a 4.5-hour drive from Wellington. Driving is the best way to explore Taupo and its surrounding areas. • Accommodation: Taupo offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget hotels.

#OverseasTravelRecord Craters of the Moon is a geothermal area near Lake Taupo on New Zealand's North Island, where you can enjoy unique scenery and geothermal phenomena. The vast area is dotted with fumaroles and boiling mud craters, creating a mysterious atmosphere as if you were on another planet. This area was named after the continuous topography that resembles the craters on the surface of the moon. There is a pedestrian promenade, where you can take a leisurely stroll and observe the active geothermal activity up close. The smell of sulfur and the sight of white steam rising from the ground are overwhelming, and you can feel the power of nature. In addition, the landscape woven by green plants and steam has a unique beauty, and it is also popular as a photo spot. Craters of the Moon is relatively easy to access and takes about an hour, making it just the right size for sightseeing, and is a spot where you can experience the power of nature on Earth, so it is a place you should definitely stop by when you visit Taupo.