This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Turangi.
Turangi, New Zealand is located in the center of the South Island of New Zealand, just south of Lake Taupo. It is a great base for outdoor activities and most people come here to do the Tongariro Crossing or to go fishing in Lake Taupo. Other than that, it is a bit of a sleepy town with not a lot going on.
The town center is really compact, with a shopping mall and a supermarket. There are some restaurants/fast food takeaway places, but nothing really special. On Saturdays there is a market in town and at Awhi organic farm, which is located around three kilometers from the town. The i-Site is located next to the shopping mall and has good information about activities in Turangi. The bus stop is also located in the same place.
Because Turangi makes an excellent starting point for the Tongariro Crossing, it is popular with backpackers. There are several Turangi, New Zealand hostels available; they are mostly of good quality. If you arrive by bus, you might want to choose a hostel in Turangi, New Zealand that is close to the bus stop. Hostels in Turangi, New Zealand that are not within walking distance of the bus stop sometimes offer a pickup service, so this is worth checking out. All hostels in Turangi, New Zealand offer tours and a shuttle service to the start of the Tongariro Crossing. Some have their own bus, others book you on a shuttle from another company. The prices and departure times of these shuttles can differ and it is worth to shop around.
Besides the Tongariro Crossing, there are companies that offer fishing trips, but these are quite pricey. Turangi also has a few nice hiking trails in and around the village, you can pick up a map from the i-Site. There are some whitewater rafting companies and there is a climbing wall for rainy days. There's enough to do to keep you busy for a day or two!
Written by local enthusiast for Turangi hostels
Paulien