Labelled the ‘Events Capital of New Zealand’, the Lake Taupo region hosts an array of annual events, featuring some of the biggest in New Zealand, so no matter what time of year you visit, there is always something special happening to keep you entertained!

Some of the most popular New Zealand annual events are located in the Taupo region, including the International Ironman contest, which boasts competitors from 38 countries around the world! Cyclists can rejoice in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, which sees literally tens of thousands of rider’s completing on a 160km circuit around Lake Taupo each year, while Mountain Bike enthusiasts have the Golden Bike World Series and the Odyssey 3 Day Mountain Bike Race that starts in Whakatane and ends in Taupo.

Local, national and international events are often hosted in the Taupo Events Centre. The large, modern indoor sports, recreation and exercise training facility have an indoor stadium, retail shop, fitness gym and climbing wall. Owen Delany Park is another multi purpose sports ground that also hosts festivals and community events plus international rugby games. Action World Taupo is fun for the entire family is latest and best fun thing to do in Taupo is located just 5 mins from the town centre, at Taupo Airport.

Of course there is plenty more to Taupo then just sporty entertainment!

Wine lovers are kept well entertained in Taupo as well thanks to the vineyards producing award-winning wines! From lunches to vineyard cellar door sales, check out Omori Estate, River Wines, Huka Falls Winery and Scenic Cellars – which has New Zealand’s largest underground retail wine cellar, complete with Bordeaux Room!

Of course a vacation isn’t complete with some entertainment of the self-pampering kind! The Taupo area enjoys a wonderful range of day spas, from a simple massage to relaxation therapies, facials, manicures and more. I recommend Taupo Hot Springs Spa for some relaxing entertainment, especially the Spa Treatments with Hot Mineral Water Hydrotherapy. For those with limited time or budget, forget about the spa treatment and just enjoy some soothing time in the therapeutic hot mineral pools.

Rainy day family fun includes the multi-purpose Aquatic Centre, which boasts a huge indoor leisure pool and cool facilities for kids, the Volcanic Activity Centre, which is a hands-on interactive educational centre that brings the explosive past and present volcanic and geothermal features to life! Not just for the family, anyone visiting Taupo will be entertained with a visit the Taupo Museum & Art Gallery and the Honey Hive & Meadery where you can enjoy free tastings of 100% pure New Zealand honey, mead and fruit wines!

There is no shortage of nightlife in Taupo! Pubs range from Irish and English themes, to the popular sports bar and trendy boutique bars and clubs. Only in Taupo can you enjoy a game of snooker and an after dinner cognac after watching an international rugby game on the big screen in a friendly, rowdy sports bar. A popular backpacker and tourist nightclub is Holy Cow – where you can dance on the tables!

Family evening entertainment can be found at Starlight Cinema Centre, this is where the whole family can catch the latest blockbuster movies. There is also a licensed cafe and a Timeout Leisure Centre with a selection of popular arcade and pinball game machines.

Night or day, there is plenty of entertainment around Taupo to keep the entire family content!