Travel Monkee

Time: 4 hours return
Travel north from Taupo on SH 1 over the Waikato River. At the top of the hill turn left into Poihipi Road and follow signs to Kinloch (24 km). Go past the boat marina to a parking area by the beach in Nisbett Terrace.

The track to Kawakawa Bay begins at the western end of the beach to the right of the parking area. The track entrance is signposted.

Glorious views feature as the track climbs from Whangamata Bay and sidles along the top of a broad cliff. The bush is dominated by rewarewa but look out for the giant matai too. Once you reach the rocky lookout the track drops down to Kawakawa Bay.

Time: Varies depending on the route taken.

Pleasant walk to take from the Taupo town centre to Acacia Bay

Follow SH 1 north across the Control Gates, turn left onto Norman Smith Street, then left into Acacia Bay Road. Turn left into Te Kopua Street and park at the end of the cul-de-sac.

The walk will take you through patches of native bush to the lake shore then up to the reserve again. Veer right and wander through native bush until the track climbs steeply to Acacia Bay Road. The walk follows the lakeshore and is marked with Scenic Walk signs. The beach walk is also accessible from other points along Acacia Bay Road and can be linked with Little Acacia Bay Walk.

View from the top of Control gate

Time: 30 – 45 minutes, loop track

This is one of my most favourite walks it has a lot of the early European/Maori history of Taupo at this site

See also Southern Opepe walk to get there follow the Napier/Taupo Highway (SH 5) 17 km from Taupo. The highway has parks on either side of the Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve.

On the northern side a short walk brings you to a graveyard where members of the Bay of Plenty Cavalry, who died in an engagement with followers of the Maori warrior Te Kooti, were buried. Later, residents of Opepe Township and the Armed Constabulary were also buried there.

Continue around the bush loop track through mature podocarp (rimu, matai, miro) forest – unusual in this region as so much was destroyed by the Taupo eruption of 186AD and later by fires and the woodman’s axe. This is a very nice walk, and suitable for any one that is able bodied.

This is the jewel in the crown of Taupo walks, it is a two way track which starts at either Whakaipo or Kinloch and then tracks up the mighty headlands to reward the walker with fantastic views of Lake Taupo and Mount Ruapehu, the track is hugely popular and is used by walkers/runners and Mountain bikers, just remember this as it is a two way track.

New sections have been opened to lengthen the track so you get better access to the area, on the way home there are two great cafes located in Kinloch, and the beach is a fantastic place to swim in the summer time.  

And just recently the track has been used as part of the Mizuno Half Marathon series.  

http://www.biketaupo.org.nz/content/category/5/75/112/