Location: Taihape
Top Things to do in Taihape
8 Things to Do in Taihape That You Shouldn't Miss
Taihape is located near the middle of the North Island in the Rangitikei District of New Zealand. It services a large rural community and lies on State Highway 1, which runs North to South through the centre of the North Island.
Restaurants in Taihape
1. River Valley Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
River Valley is an adventure company that operates from River Valley Lodge, an Adventure Lodge situated 32 kilometers east of the central North Island town of Taihape. What is River Valley all about? River Valley is all about rafts and horses. In fact 3 generations (since 1982)of guides have brought adventures based around river rafting and horse back riding to the general public. Rafting ranges in duration from half day Grade 5 trips on the Rangitikei River - often called one of the world's top half day Grade 5 trips - to gentle floats in the midst of spectacular scenery on our Scenic rafting trips. Horse Trekking. The core of the River Valley Stables riding experience is the natural horse training techniques used to train our horses. This produces horses that are responsive and happy. All riding takes place over the beautiful hill country of this area - the northern Rangitikei.
Reviewed By shelovestoeat - Monmouth, United Kingdom
We booked a trip, drove down the tortuous 30km track, only to be told the trip wasn't running due to high water levels. No attempt had been made to contact us to cancel despite our phone number being on the booking form and our having emailed that morning with a question. Clearly we did not blame them for weather, we would not even have blamed them for a human error, we did blame them for their pathetic excuses, lack of apology and the fact that they didn't so much as offer us a drink by way of apology.
When we pointed out we had wasted the whole day we were sarcastically told we were only an hour away! By helicopter maybe! There are many other rafting centres, I suggest you choose one that cares about their customers.
2. Gravity Canyon
Overall Ratings
5 based on 76 reviews
Visitors can experience the most extreme flying fox (Zip Line) in New Zealand. Imagine being launched from a canyon ledge 175m above the Rangitikei River before racing down a 1km long zip line at speeds of up to 160kph! This amazing adventure activity quite literally takes your breath away!
Reviewed By Ingy13 - Auckland NZ
Short well sign posted 15 min drive from the main highway approaching Taihape. A lovely clean,well maintained business with options for bungy jumping, canyon swing and flying fox. The cafe could look at having some home baking to accompany the coffee,but the cold drinks and toasted sandwiches hit the spot. The staff are great and very friendly and the viewing
platform and decked area offer great views of the rides and the canyon. My hubby and son rode the flying fox together and loved it! The walk up the hill to the top platform tested my hubby's fitness,but he said it was well worth it, Be prepared to pay for your own Go Pro recording which is the same price as the photos/video footage they can do for you. A great excursion! Great place! Well done team!
3. Gumboot Statue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Julie M - Wellington, New Zealand
Loved spying this giant gumboot as we drove into the country town of Taihape. The rain was pelting down and there was that boot, sitting pretty among the manicured flower beds. This town holds an annual gumboot throwing contest. The competition is taken seriously. Taihape is also a great refreshment stop with excellent cafes and takeaways.
4. Ad-Deen Mosque
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Saifudin A
An ideal place to stop, pray and rest along SH1. Outdoor sitting available to soak in the sun. Lay your own mats and sleep under the sun
5. Mount Stewart Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By AMsays - Thornhill, Canada
Behind the giant gumboot in Tiahape is this reserve. What stood out in this small reserve is the main trees are labelled in an attempt to provide some insight and the amount of singing birds. The path is not often used so it is overgrown in sections but it is worth it. Only 12 minutes to the summit where you will get an outstanding view of Tiahape. There is a branch in the path half way up - to the right leads to the the summit where you get your views. The left branch was more steeper and I felt I would see more, but there was a fallen tree blocking the path so I couldn't go any further...
6. Lazy H Horse Treks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By islandgirl88 - Boston
We chose this place because we wanted to ride in that section of NZ. We picked the overnight trip. The horses were full of energy but the guide insisted we stay at a walk. The hut was a joke. The "beds" were old broken down, lumpy and dirty. My husband slept on the couch which was not too great either. While we knew it would be an outhouse, the smell almost made me vomit. The guest book had commentary about mouse droppings on the beds (why they kept that guest book out is a mystery.) The guide gave no information about the area or spoke only when spoken to. The trip could have been so much better given the beauty of the countryside and the willingness of the horses. The "ride" consisted of 1.5 hours of walking each day. We got a much better riding elsewhere. For the money they charge you can get a much better elsewhere. If you do choose this place I would avoid the overnight trip and ask in advance about whether the ride will be just a walk.
7. Taihape Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By majnz - new zeland
I'm not a golfer, but a mate who came over from the UK is and he loved this course. In fact he went there every day of his stay. It's challenging and ridiculously cheap (his words).
8. Paengaroa Scenic Reserve
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Antipodean13
Very quiet native bush walk on the way out of town. Lots of native birds such as tui and wood pigeon along with rimu, beech, tawa, matai and rata native trees. Some good hills and a nice views across to Mt Ruapehu.
