A girls weekend in Taupo

Take a drive along Taupo’s beautiful lake front, then check into your fabulous accommodation. Whether you are after a central and affordable option like the Great Lake Motel, a classy hotel like the Hilton Taupo, or a private lakeside apartment like Sacred Waters, Taupo has so many options for a comfortable stay.

If the evening ahead is set for clear skies, then there is no better place to have an afternoon wind-down than the 2 Mile Bay Sailing Club. Growing evermore popular as a standout location for a lake front drink and woodfire pizza, this recently refurbished eatery offers spectacular views across the lake, a ‘truly Taupo’ atmosphere next-to-none and live music from Friday-Sunday. You can choose a table to dip your toes in the sand, float above the water on the hireable pontoon or lounge in the laidback couches.

Rise and shine, it is another glorious day in Taupo! For a completely unique breakfast experience head out to Acacia Bay to the whimsical LÁrte Cafe. This café and gallery are set in a magical, art filled garden, complete with an outside mosaic living room.

Then how about a spot of retail therapy to start the day? For a small town, Taupo's shopping punches WAY above its weight. With a vast array of fashion boutiques, vintage stores, funky galleries and so much more, the girls are all sure to update their wardrobes, find fantastic gifts and deck out their homes with designer wares.

If you are feeling a little peckish after all that shopping head to Cozy Corner for an enticing array of healthy and delicious food to enjoy a la carte or from their always impressive cabinet selection. Excluding the bread, all the food is made on site using the freshest ingredients, and their fresh pressed juices and super-food smoothies are also a big favourite of Taupo locals.

If you're in town for a hens-do, hiring a private charter to explore the lake with some cocktails is a must! Top Cat Charters and Cruise Kakariki specialise in private cruises to the Ngātoroirangi Māori Rock Carvings with platters and drinks throughout!

Then for some much-deserved R&R why not treat yourselves to some beauty treatments. The team at Diamond Laser Medispa Taupo provides an elegant and luxurious environment in which to pamper and spoil their clients. Then, feeling sufficiently relaxed, it is time to soak in the geothermal mineral waters of the Wairakei Terraces. This adult only facility is one of the most relaxing spots in Taupo; three tiered pools are all fed directly from the silica terraces, resulting in a different temperature for each pool. With 13 natural minerals in the water, you will leave feeling soft, rejuvenated, and revitalised.

This evening get glammed up and head out onto the water for something unique – a sunset dinner onboard with Doughboats. These inflatable, motorised donuts are designed for cruising the lakefront at leisure for up to six people. Either bring your own food and drink, or opt for a catering option of pizzas or a grazing platter. This two-hour cruise gives you plenty of time to soak in the views of the lake and surrounding mountains while you enjoy a meal and conversation with friends. Swimming is also permitted off the Doughboat should you feel like a dip.

After a night on the town? Then head into Taupo township for a night of festivities; the most popular spot for nightlife is Tuwharetoa Street, or better known to locals as ‘Pub Street.’ Here you’ll find everything from live music, DJs and karaoke, to margaritas, cocktails and mocktails. No matter your scene, a fun night awaits you.

Check out of your accommodation, reminiscing on the memories made. A final breakfast at Replete won’t go amiss. This long-standing café is famous for their award-winning fresh and tasty cabinet selection, Arabica coffee and adjacent homeware and gift store.

You simply can’t leave Taupo without seeing the grandeur of the Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings. One of New Zealand’s most magnificent works of cultural art, the carvings were created by Ngatoroirangi’s descendant Matahi Brightwell in 1980. Towering 14 metres above the water, these carvings are one of New Zealand’s most visited attractions. Only accessible by boat, head to the Taupo Marina and choose one of the many great operators to cruise with; sail out on a yacht with Sail Barbary or Taupo Sailing Adventures, cruise with the biggest boat on the lake with Chris Jolly Outdoors, or the replica steam-boat Ernest Kemp. All have morning cruises so are the ideal final activity before you head away for home.