Local Attractions

  • Waikato River Trails: Walkers and mountain bikers can explore a series of free riverside trails.  The winding tracks encompass the magic and beauty of native bush, exotic forest, historic landmarks, rock formations, farms, wetlands and of course extensive lake and river views. 
  • Water sports: Mangakino has six fresh water lakes in close proximity making it a great base for wakeboarding, skiing and rowing.  Lake Maraetai has been used for the National Wake Skate and North Island Wakeboarding championships.
  • Kayaking: The area's numerous lake are small, sheltered and perfect for kayakers.  Paddling across a mirror flat lake surrounded by forest and farmland refreshes both body and mind.  Kayaks are often available for hire from Mangakino's lakefront reserve during summer.
  • River Tour: Take a ride in a classic four-seater jet boat for the River Canyon Tour.  Departing from Mangakino's lakefront reserve, the pleasant 40 minute journey is uplifting, invigorating and passes through some of the area's most breathtaking scenery.
  • Fishing:  Lake Maraetai, its neighbouring hydro lakes and the countless trout streams and rivers are very popular with boaties and fishing enthusiasts.  The local brown and rainbow trout so rearly see and angler they will probably wave at you!
  • Mountain biking: On almost all the purpose cut bike tracks around the lake Taupo region there is a cafe either at the beginning or the end.  The Waikato River Trails will cover 100km once completed giving mountain bikers plenty of tracks to choose from.
  • Hiking: Pureora Forest Park's 78,000 hectares hides numerous impressive bush walks beneath towering Totara, Rimu and Matai.  Somewhere amid the native bush is a plaque marking the centre of the North Island and New Zealand's largest Totara tree.  Guided forest tours are available and are an entertaining and informative blend of ecology and Maori culture.
  • Bird watching: The Pureora Forest is one of New Zealands finest podocarp rainforests.  Climbing the forest tower takes you up into the forest canopy which will get you even closer to the bird life - including the exotic Kokako (blue wattle crow) and the shy Kaka (bush parrot).