Lakefront hostel with stunning views, hot tub, and social atmosphere. Walking distance to town center and lake activities. Regular events and tours available.
Base Backpackers Taupo occupies a lakefront position on Kaimanawa Street, set directly alongside Lake Taupo's northern shore and within a 10-minute walk of Taupo's central shopping and restaurant precinct. The property's lakefront setting is its primary asset: views across New Zealand's largest lake to the volcanic peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu on the southern horizon are visible from the common outdoor areas throughout clear weather. The town centre's main strip—with restaurants, supermarkets, and the tour booking operators that are central to Taupo's backpacker economy—is close enough to walk without time pressure.
Base Backpackers operates as part of the Base Network, a chain of New Zealand and Australian budget hostels that standardises a certain baseline of facility quality and activity booking infrastructure across their properties. The Taupo property offers dormitory beds in mixed-gender and female-only configurations ranging from four to eight beds, along with private twin and double rooms. Facilities include a well-equipped communal kitchen, a social lounge area, an outdoor BBQ area overlooking the lake, and an outdoor hot tub—a practical asset in a town where most visitors come to pursue outdoor activities in variable weather.
A tour desk within the property provides booking access to Taupo's main activities: skydiving above the lake, bungy jumping at the Waikato River bridge, jet boating, thermal plane rides, fishing charters on the lake, and white-water rafting on the Waikato River. Taupo is a hub on the New Zealand backpacker trail, and the hostel's social dynamic reflects the steady turnover of travellers moving between Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington on the North Island circuit. Regular evening social events organised by staff create meeting points across that population.
The lakefront bike track runs past the property and connects north to the Aratiatia Rapids and south toward the lake's geothermal bays. Taupo's departure point for Huka Falls is a short cycle or drive from the hostel, and Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttles depart from a nearby meeting point for the one-day guided or independent crossing of one of New Zealand's most regarded hiking routes.
Amenities
- lake views
- hot tub
- shared kitchen
- free Wi-Fi
- tour desk
- BBQ area
Location
76 Kaimanawa Street, Taupo 3330
-38.6856, 176.0717 View on map
Highlights
- Direct lakefront position with views across Lake Taupo to the Tongariro volcanic peaks from outdoor common areas
- Outdoor hot tub and BBQ area on the lake edge, available to guests year-round
- On-site tour desk with access to skydiving, bungy, jet boating, fishing, and Tongariro Crossing shuttles
- 10-minute walk to Taupo's central restaurant and shopping strip
- Part of the Base Network, providing standardised hostel facilities and social event programming
Tips for visiting
- Book a lakefront dorm bed or private room for clear views of the volcanic plateau on the southern horizon; interior rooms face away from the lake and miss this aspect entirely.
- The outdoor hot tub is most atmospheric at dusk when the lake light fades and Ruapehu's snow cap catches the last evening colour—no additional cost beyond the room rate.
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttle bookings sell out during peak summer (December–February); arrange transport and entry timing from the tour desk at least two days in advance.
- The lakefront cycle path is accessible directly from the hostel without crossing roads; bike hire can be arranged through the tour desk for half-day or full-day rides north toward Huka Falls.
- Taupo's supermarkets are a 10-minute walk from the hostel and substantially cheaper than buying food at cafes for every meal—the communal kitchen makes self-catering easy and keeps costs down.
When to visit
Year-round. Summer (December–February) for lake swimming and hiking. Autumn and spring offer good weather with fewer crowds. Winter remains active with Tongariro ski fields operating nearby.
Accessibility
Ground-floor rooms available. Contact the hostel directly regarding specific accessibility requirements and current room configurations.