After the Taupō Marathon: Huka Falls and the Hot Stream

The Route: Central Taupō → Spa Thermal Park → Huka Falls → Central Taupō Logistics: About 5 km from the finish by road. A taxi or a short drive is easiest. There is also a river path, but on the day after the race a car is kinder. Marathon Month: August Duration: Day trip

Central Taupō ──(about 10 to 15 mins by road)──> Spa Thermal Park ──(short drive)──> Huka Falls
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Central Taupō <──(about 10 to 15 mins by road)──────────────────────────────────────────────┘

The Taupō Marathon finishes on a Saturday in early August. On the Sunday, the best plan is to stay warm and move very little. Taupō does that well, because the hot water and the falls are both close to the centre.

August in Taupō: winter. Days are typically around 12°C and nights around 4°C, with frequent rain, so pack a waterproof and a warm layer. Some mornings are frosty, and the snow on the volcanoes to the south is often visible. Thermal water is at its best in the cold. Check the weather and the opening times of any paid venue the day before.

Start at the Spa Thermal Park, where a free warm stream flows into the Waikato River. The Otumuheke Stream is reached by a path of roughly a kilometre from the car park, mostly level with some steps down to the water, and it is worth checking the current access and the water temperature, which varies. Bring a towel, flip-flops and a plastic bag for wet clothes. Do not stay in hot water for long after a marathon, and keep the soak to a short, comfortable time, since prolonged heat is not recovery advice and you should get out if you feel light-headed.

Huka Falls are a few minutes further along the river. The river narrows into a rock channel and drops over the falls at an average of some 220,000 litres a second, and the water is a startling blue-green. Viewing platforms and a footbridge sit close to the car park, and the paths are short, sealed and gently sloped. The walk from the car park to the main viewpoint takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If you want a longer look, some river cruises run in winter, but check the schedule and the weather.

For lunch, the cafés close to the falls are limited, so return to town. The lakefront and Roberts Street cafés are a few minutes from the finish area and offer hot food. Check Sunday opening hours.

Return to the hotel or the lakefront for the afternoon, and finish with a slow walk on the Great Lake Pathway if the legs allow.