In a town so richly blessed with inviting trails, the Great Lake Walkway is a 4km-long pathway of elemental pleasure. Wrapped around Taupō’s gleaming lakefront, the trail was my regular go-to for early morning and sundowner strolls, while staying at Suncourt Hotel. Enjoy a cheeky daybreak dip at Hot Water Beach, pose in front of the emblematic #LOVETAUPŌ sign and take your chances with the lake’s Hole in One challenge. Get the hole-in-one and win the ultimate prize of $10,000 cash from the red hole. Alas, I had no luck. 

But I felt immeasurably rewarded savouring the art-filled delights of the town’s new meeting place, Te Ātea – Tapuaeharuru. Adjoining the pedestrianised strip of enticing eateries and bars along Roberts St, this lakeside space has been enriched with carved stories and ancestral whispers.  Flanked by pou representing the adjoining rivers and the four winds, the giant centrepiece pou is a colossal carving on a single piece of ancient tōtara, replete with mythology, guardians and landmarks. It projects an all-encompassing sense of connection, complete with a swirling vine of life. Don’t miss the brightly coloured trio of tiki in Te Ātea, too. 

Te Ātea – Tapuaeharuru. Photo / Mike Yardley 

Freshly fuelled at Café Baku, I met up with Towncentre Taupō's delightful boss, Julie McLeod who led me on a riveting walking tour of the Graffiato murals. It was like a highlights-reel journey into the technicoloured whimsy, wonder and wizardry that has transformed the urban laneways and back alleys in the heart of Taupō. Graffiato is the beloved annual street art festival that adds to and freshens up the town’s walls every Labour weekend. There are currently over 80 murals in the portfolio to admire on a leisurely and uplifting stroll, encompassing the full diversity of street art, the incredible breadth of talent and what’s trending in global urban culture.  

Graffiato murals. Photo / Mike Yardley 

Last year’s festival had a strong collaboration theme and one of the runaway highlights can be seen emblazoned on the wall overlooking the McDonald’s drive-through. Dcypher and Swiftmantis clubbed together to create a masterly chaotic kitchen theme, headlined with a playful, cartoonish quality to the characters, complete with a cat, dog and tweetie bird. Local kids plead with their parents to take them to the drive-through, just so they can soak up this magic mural, again and again. Beyond the merrily painted pleasures of Graffiato, I also popped over to Riverside Park which is home to the latest addition to the town’s sculpture trail: Boom Boom the dinosaur. Yes, you may recall the stir this installation caused last year. Artist Gregor Kregar says the large rock in his sculpture relates to the giant boulders ejected by the volcanic force of Taupō’s historic eruptions. Crowning the rock is the mirror-polished stainless steel Sauropod dinosaur. Was it worth $100,000? It’s a bit of fun, but you be the judge. 

Flanking the western side of the town, I jaunted around to lovely, leafy Acacia Bay which is home to a L’Arte Café & Gallery. Jo and Judi Brennan are the mother-daughter duo behind this dynamic venue, with Jo helming the delicious café. Judi is the creative force behind the café’s renowned ceramic mosaic outdoor living room. Her ceramic artworks are rightly acclaimed and there’s a spree of artistic eye-candy on sale for you to browse. Feeling peckish, I settled into the most moreish Croque Monsieur, followed up with a salivating peanut butter and caramel slice. L’Arte and its beautiful setting pulls quite the crowd. 

L’Arte Café and Gallery. Photo / Mike Yardley 

Also in the neighbourhood, in the thriving pursuit of hoppiness, the craft beer success story of Lakeman Brewing. From a shed in the middle of a working sheep and beef farm, this is home to James and Elissa Cooper – and their team of talented locals producing award-winning craft beers. It all began fifteen years ago, with the brewery housed in an implement shed with a dirt floor. Today, the brew house has the capacity to brew 400,000 litres annually. With the beer being packaged on-site either into kegs or cans it heads straight from their doo to yours, or into your local restaurant or liquor store. 

Back in town, make tracks to Lakeman’s burger and beer bar, Jimmy Coops Lakehouse. Enjoy a tasting paddle of a wide range of on-tap Lakeman beers, including limited-season brews. Their hazy IPA, 5 O’Clock Somewhere, is a perennial crowd favourite. Their juicy smashed burgers are sinfully good too – with the added feature of their beef being sourced from their own farm! Now that is hyper-local. 

Burger time at Jimmy Coops. Photo / Love Taupō

Another highly decorated craft producer in Taupō is 5 Mile Distilling. It’s home to one of New Zealand’s most multi-award-winning gins. I enjoyed a fabulous tasting experience and behind-the-scenes distillery tour with 5 Mile’s highly engaging owner, Scott Forsyth. He remarked how 5 Mile came about as a Covid project, with a lot of help from Taupō housewives who fine-tuned the flavour profile of 5 Mile’s sublime range of gins. 

Scott and his wife Kim are also the powers behind Baked With Love, a beloved eatery and cakery in the heart of town, which has fostered a rock-star reputation for their wholesome food, divine treats and sparkling customer service. They first became renowned for their custom cookies which supply many businesses. But the abundance of delectable offerings in the glistening cabinets at Baked with Love lifts the term “drool-worthy’ onto the highest pedestal. While noshing on a falafel wrap and slice of banoffee, I chatted to Fleur Wolstenhome, founder of Treats of Taupō. This gorgeous annual food festival unfurls its temptations for a week, from late-September. This family-oriented celebration of the local foodie scene runs the gamut from free events to high-end banner gatherings. A 10km-long Treats Trail showcases signature snacks worth strolling for, along the way. Count me in.

A runaway culinary hero in Taupō is undeniably The Bistro. It’s been a mainstay venue for 14 years, founded by Jude Messenger, who remains a charismatic, hands-on restaurateur, waiting tables and ensuring every diner is royally treated. It was a thrill to meet and chat to Jude, especially after The Bistro was awarded two hats in the 2025 Cuisine Good Food Guide. This beloved Taupō dining gem specialises in seasonal European‑inspired cuisine and flavour-forward dishes, crafted from fresh local produce. This elevated, refined dining experience is underpinned by a radiantly relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It’s the polar opposite to stiff and stuffy, with an endearing homely quality to the whole experience.  

Hapuka and pappardelle dish at The Bistro. Photo / Mike Yardley 

No wonder diners return again and again. Jude’s sourdough is seductive, crafted from a ten-year-old base which he’s nicknamed Fred the Bread. Slather it in lemon curd butter. Whether you opt for the degustation or a la carte dinner menu, be sure to savour the crispy duck rillette as a starter, with caramelised fig, mint, rocket leaves and orange curd. The duck is slow cooked for 18 hours. For my main, I plumped for hapuka, accompanied with stewed red peppers, petite vegetables, little neck clam, and smoked paprika broth – with a bed of handmade pappardelle, or pasta ribbons.  What a triumph. Jude’s golden crackled pork belly is a massive seller, too. The Bistro is a guaranteed highlight when visiting Taupō. 

Nothing beats bedding down with a front-row view on Lake Taupō and Suncourt Hotel delivers in spades. This local family owned and operated establishment offers a wide range of accommodations featuring contemporary décor and lavish en-suite bathrooms. From studio rooms to three-bedroom apartments, Suncourt’s accommodations are generously loaded with creature comforts. Another big draw is the on-site dining at Lionel's, open from 7am to late, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Evening dining is a delight, with a diverse menu to please all palates, spanning small and share plates, and signature mains. I particularly enjoyed their pasta dishes, like ravioli with sweetcorn ricotta mascarpone. Suncourt Hotel is a hearty, welcoming holiday base.  

Suncourt Hotel accommodation. Photo / Supplied

Right in front of the hotel in Northcroft Reserve, a profusion food trucks and live music hold court every Thursday night, attracting a cranking crowd, sizzling street food and lively beats. It’s a convivial, engaging slice of local life. Get amongst it. I also fell in love with 2 Mile Bay Sailing Club, where the setting is blissed-out, the pizzas are top-notch and the venue’s seating configurations also include toes-in-the-water dining and wining.  It’s an effervescent venue with a swag of attractions including dog and grog events, so you pooches can join in the fun too. 

Taupō is the sparkling jewel in the crown of North Island, power-packed with outdoors adventure and hospitality treats. Satisfy your love of nature and lust for adventure, combined with a very hearty appetite.

I rocked my way around the region in a trusty hybrid Toyota Rav4, courtesy of Ezi Car Rental. I thoroughly enjoyed the Ezi experience, where excellent vehicles, super sharp prices and fast & friendly service are all part of the package. Ezi Car Rental operates an extensive network from 24 branches across the country. They’re everywhere you want to be with vehicles to suit your specific needs. 

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s resident traveller and can be heard every week on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings.