Things to do in Turangi
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Tongariro River Rafting
The Tongariro River has some superb Grade III rapids for river rafting, as well as Grade I stretches suitable for beginners in the lower reaches during summer. Tongariro River Rafting can start you off with a three-hour trip on Grade II Tongariro rapids or take you on a full day’s raft fishing (summer only, price on enquiry). The company also hires out mountain bikes (two hours/half-day/full day/42 Traverse, $25/35/45/65) and runs guided and unguided biking trips on the 42 Traverse, Tongariro River Track, Moerangi Station, Tree Trunk Gorge and Fishers Track (two hours to full day, $70 to $160).
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Brett Cameron
Offers boat charters (per hour $100, minimum three hours) and quad-bike adventure fishing in National Park (one/two people $750/850). Licences extra.
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River Walk Visitor Centre
About 4km south of Turangi on SH1 is the DOC-managed trout hatchery, which is a pleasant stop even if you’re not a fish fanatic. The landscaped walkway makes for a short and gentle stroll, and there are several interesting stops en route, including an underwater viewing chamber, a hatchery, keeping ponds and a picnic area. The River Walk visitor centre, run by volunteers, has polished educational displays, a collection of rods and reels dating back to the 1880s and a theatrette showing a 14-minute film about the river.
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Tongariro Lodge
Some of the world’s most famous blokes (Robert Mitchum, Liam Neeson, Larry Hagman, Jimmy Carter, Timothy Dalton) have come to this luxury riverside fishing lodge, set in 9 hectares of parkland, to relax in wood-panelled anonymity. Not surprisingly, the menu’s orientated around man-sized slabs of meat but the real squeals of delight come when a lucky lodger is presented with their day’s catch, smoked and served to perfection.
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Rafting NZ
Rafting NZ runs the Whitewater Tongariro trip (Grade III) with an optional waterfall jump (four hours, adult/child $119/109), or the Family Fun raft over more relaxed rapids (Grade II, three hours, adult/child $75/65). Groups of four or more can tackle an overnighter (Grade III+, per person $350), rafting to a riverside campsite and then hitting more rapids the following day.
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Wai Maori
Wai Maori offers guided white-water kayaking (November to April, per person $129) or trips accompanied only by trout down the gentle Tokaanu Stream to Lake Taupo, passing boiling mud, hot pools and wetlands on the way (90 minutes/half-day/full day $30/40/65).
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Tokaanu Thermal Pools
The Tokaanu Thermal Pools, 5km northwest of Turangi, is an unpretentious facility with hot pools, a trout stream, a picnic area, displays and a shop. A 20-minute stroll along the boardwalk (wheelchair accessible) showcases mud pools and thermal springs.
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Four Fish Sports Bar
This bottle shop and bar has a café too, with lunches for $15, or choices from the cabinet, while in the evening the place goes á la carte with fish, steak, hotpot-type fare. Takeaway pizzas available.
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Motuoapa Hire Boats
Ten kilometres east of Turangi at Motuoapa you can hire aluminium dinghies for lake fishing from Motuoapa Hire Boats. These can be used in the bay only.
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Red Crater Café
Bright and cheery with a loungy outdoor area, this café inside Extreme Backpackers serves snacks, breakfast, and light meals including soup and nachos.
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Mustard Seed Café
This modern café with a garden area has staple breakfast offerings like eggs benedict, panini, sandwiches, cakes and good espresso.
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Licorice
It’s worth holding off for this pit stop 8km north of Turangi for excellent coffee, cheap, light meals, and lovely home baking.
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Vertical Assault Climbing Wall
For indoor fun, head to the Vertical Assault Climbing Wall to scale walls that challenge all skill levels.
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Thyme for Food
A popular tearoom, good for fast and simple fare such as pies, all-day brekkie, burgers and milkshakes.
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New World
Self-caterers should head to the big, centrally located New World supermarket.
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Grand Central Fry
A local legend serving top fish and chips, plus burgers and anything else fryable.
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Barry Greig’s Sporting World
Hires and sells gear and handles bookings for guides and charters.
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Creel Tackle House
Hires and sells gear and handles bookings for guides and charters.
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Oreti
It’s hard to imagine a more romantic spot to while away a balmy summer’s evening than looking over the lake from Oreti’s terrace. It’s an added bonus that the food matches up – the modern NZ menu doesn’t disappoint. As you pick your way through a heavily laden antipasti lunch platter you might have to remind yourself that you’re not actually on the Mediterranean.
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Tongariro River Walkway
This track joins the Tongariro River Walkway (three hours return), which follows the east bank of the river to the Red Hut suspension bridge.
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Tongariro River Lookout Track
A favourite is the Tongariro River Lookout Track (one hour loop), a riverside amble affording views of Mt Pihanga.
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Tightline Charters
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John Sommervell
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Ian Jenkins
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