The lake front is a 5 minute stroll away (hot water beach) with cafes, restaurants and a children's playground. The Taupo botanical gardens are 5 minutes away. If you fancy some pampering, the De Brett Hotel and Spa is 10 minutes walk or a two minute drive away. The De Bretts also offers hot springs for family fun or a relaxing soak. The Taupo main centre with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants is an easy 30 minutes stroll along the lake front with attractions such as hole in one golf, lake front coffee caravan, gelato stand (in summer) and fun mini golf course on the way. Kayaks, paddle boards and sail boats are available to hire on the lakefront during summer, or if you prefer something more relaxing, charter tours are available from the boat harbour at the end of Ferry Road. Taupo is the central North Island hub for world renowned trout fishing, golf, jet boating, mountain biking, parasailing, bungy jumping, great lake walkways, and is the gateway to the central plateau ski fields and amazing Tongariro Crossing day hike.