Experience the magic of this geothermal landscape on a self-guided walk along the trail at Craters of the Moon.

Experience the magic of this geothermal landscape on a self-guided walk along the trail at Craters of the Moon.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a self guided walk through this stunning landscape
  • Watch the craters steaming with geothermal life
  • An easy walk along wooden boardwalks and fine gravel suitable for the whole family
  • Excellent views from the lookout

Take in the incredible sights of the bubbling mud pools and steaming craters as you walk through this other-worldly landscape.

Our well-maintained tracks are easy to follow and suitable for most people, the main walkway will take you on a 40-minute leisurely stroll through the valley and the optional 20-minute upper walkway will take you up the steps for fantastic views from the lookout.

Take your time, stop for photos and enjoy at your own pace.

Loop Track - Suitable for pushchairs. Wheelchairs are permitted but some areas of the path are more difficult to navigate than others. The path is mostly boardwalk but it is recommended that you have a person to assist in areas where there is a gravel path.

Upper Walkway - A moderate walk with multiple steps (totally worth it), not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Adult $10.00
Child $5.00 (Aged 5 - 15 years)
Family $25.00 (2 Adults + up to 4 Children)

What's included

  • Admission into Craters of the Moon geothermal walking trail

Location

  • 171 Karapiti Road
  • Wairakei Park
  • Taupo 3377

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • Opening Hours:

    9:30AM to 5PM. Daily with last entry being 4PM.

    Ticket Conditions:

    10am and 1pm discounted tickets are time-specific.

    General Admission allows entry anytime between 9:30am and 4pm.

  • Children under 5 years old go FREE.

Available Bookings from29 Mar to 11 Apr 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

Change Dates
Sun 29 Mar
Mon 30 Mar
Tue 31 Mar
Wed 1 Apr
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Sat 4 Apr
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Sat 11 Apr

  • Adult$7.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$7.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$7.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$7.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
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  • Family$25.00

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  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
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  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$7.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$7.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$7.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$7.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$5.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$5.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$5.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$5.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$5.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$5.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$5.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$5.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

Bookings close in 1 hour...

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

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  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

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  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
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  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00

  • Adult$10.00
  • Child$5.00
  • Family$25.00
27-03 1PM Special Amazing Walk A place worth seeing. Stunning Experience Great experience!
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Authenticated Reviews

Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support

  • emergencySchöne und einzigartige geothermische Landschaft (20 Personen sagten dies)
  • emergencyGut gepflegte Wege und einfache Wanderpfade (15 Personen sagten dies)
  • emergencyInformative Beschilderung, die das Erlebnis bereichert (12 Personen sagten dies)
  • emergencyFamilienfreundliche Umgebung, geeignet für alle Altersgruppen (10 Personen sagten dies)
  • emergencyFriedlicher und angenehmer Spaziergang, perfekt für einen Ausflug (8 Personen sagten dies)
  • emergencyGutes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis im Vergleich zu anderen Attraktionen (7 Personen sagten dies)
  • star_shineWasser mitbringen, besonders an warmen Tagen.
    Zusätzliche Zeit einplanen, um die Landschaft wirklich zu genießen.

4.5

158 reviews

Showing all 158 authenticated Bookme reviews

alitziar from Germany wrote on 08 July 2023

Worth a visit

Super freundliches Personal und ein kleiner bequemer Spaziergang durch das geothermale Gelände. Den Souvenirshop mochte ich persönlich auch sehr. Lediglich gibt es keine Möglichkeit für Reisende ohne Auto zum Park zu kommen außer zu Fuß (was doch relativ weit ist) oder per Taxi. Das ist jedoch kein Minuspunkt für craters of the moon sondern für Taupo.

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Kartheek REDDY from New Zealand wrote on 28 March 2026

27-03 1PM Special

Craters of the Moon was an absolutely amazing experience! Walking through the geothermal landscape felt like stepping onto another planet — the steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and unique terrain were truly unforgettable. It’s a must-visit if you’re around Taupō. The only downside was the entry fee situation. We paid for admission, but noticed that many others seemed to be getting in for free, which didn’t feel fair at all. It took away a bit from an otherwise fantastic visit.

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ahmedzub from New Zealand wrote on 27 March 2026

Visited for the First Time

Unreal experience! So good!

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Richard Cherry from United Kingdom wrote on 21 March 2026

out of this world

well done. a long walk but well worth it. the moon is nothing like this ask Neil Armstrong

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From Craters Of The Moon Geothermal Walk - Taupo

Hi Richard, The park used to be much more barren and moon like, the name hasn't changed since the 1950s. I'm glad you thought it was worth it! Nga mihi nui, Amy Barhorst 2ic www.cratersofthemoon.co.nz<http://www.cratersofthemoon.co.nz/> [cid:[email protected]]

Rachel McQuillan from New Zealand wrote on 10 March 2026

Amazing

The walk was amazing!! Was so awesome

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From Craters Of The Moon Geothermal Walk - Taupo

Hi Rachel, We are so Glad you enjoyed it! Nga mihi nui, Amy Barhorst 2ic www.cratersofthemoon.co.nz<http://www.cratersofthemoon.co.nz/> [cid:[email protected]]

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Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult

Child Aged 5 - 15 years

Family 2 Adults + up to 4 Children

*This option must be made together with another price type.
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