Aratiatia Rapids - Aratiatia Rapids 630 Aratiatia Road
Aratiatia Rapids free attraction Taupo | Aratiatia Dam viewing times - Aratiatiarapids.co.nz
Taupo's best free attraction, Aratiatia Rapids. Watch the dam open and flood the Aratiatia Rapids.13km from Central Taupo,opens 4 times a day in Summer
Aratiatia Rapids free attraction Taupo | Aratiatia Dam viewing times - Aratiatiarapids.co.nz
Aratiatia Rapids is one of the most popular natural attractions in New Zealand’s North Island – a must see on your visit to Taupo. Watch thousands of litres of water rush from the dam gates to transform the peaceful gully into raging rapids.
Aratiatia Dam and Aratiatia Rapids are located on the Waikato River, downstream of Lake Taupo, about 16km from Taupo town centre. The dam opens three times a day in winter and four times a day in summer. The whole family will love watching the water gush from the dam and fill the rapids below.
Aratiatia Dam release times
Summer (Oct to March) release hours – 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm
Winter (Apr to Sep) release hours – 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm
Viewing points
There are a number of viewing points where you can watch the opening of the Aratiatia Dam gates. You can view the release from the main Aratiatia Bridge beside the car park or walk five minutes to two different viewing points along the river.
Car parking
There is plenty of car and campervan parking at Aratiatia dam but it is best to arrive 10 minutes before the dam release so you have time to park and choose your preferred viewing point. Refer to our directions page on how to get to Aratiatia Rapids and dam.
History of Aratiatia
The name “Aratiatia” means “stairway of Tia” after the legendary Maori explorer Tia. He arrived at the rapids and was fascinated by the tiered form.
The Aratiatia Power station is the first hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, New Zealands longest river. Aratiatia Power Station was built in 1964 and is owned by Mercury.
Things to do near Aratiatia
From jet boating to river cruising to glass-blowing studios; there are plenty of other activities to enjoy during your visit to Aratiatia Rapids. Find out more on our Nearby page.
Contact Aratiatia Rapids
| Address : | Aratiatia Rapids 630 Aratiatia Road, Rotokawa 3377, New Zealand |
| Phone : | 📞 +79 |
| Postal code : | 3377 |
| Website : | https://aratiatiarapids.co.nz/ |
| Categories : | |
| Description : | Picturesque dam opening its gates several times a day to unleash a rush of water down the river. |
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Leon Khan on Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ There is a big parking area, the dam usually opens 3 times a day 10am, 12pm and 3pm I think are the times. You can stand on bridge near carpark to watch water flow out of the dam, then it's a 5min or so walk to 1st lower lookout, then another 5 or so mins to the top lookout platform
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Kelly Anso on Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great fun to watch the dam open. The walk to the top viewing platform is lovely. An alarm sounds 10 minutes, 5 minutes and 3 minutes before the gates open, so no need to rush (like we did) when you hear the first one ?
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Ann Hine on Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Just WOW,!! Got to see it both flowing .. and all drained out after the gates close. Amazing ?
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Crystal Take on Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Make sure you're there as the dam gate open to really enjoy the whole experience! Whether you stand at the bridge or walk the short distance through the bush to the lookout points, it's picturesque either way! Make sure you wrap up warm in the colder months though as it can be quite chilly!!
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Ella Cornelius on Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Definitely worth having a look at of you love waterfalls, streams and clear blue water. It took a while for the water to rise however, so I would recommend starting on the bridge closer to the flood gates and Walking down the track to the lookout spots.
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Nicole McLaren on Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Highly recommend a visit. Rapids are absolutely spectacular when let out. If you start at the road end watching the pool fill up for a couple of minutes then head to the mid viewing platform you'll get good views of both the rapids and pool filling. Rapids are let out for 15 minutes at 10am 12pm and 2pm in the winter and also 4pm in the summer.
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Maggie Thompson on Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This visit to the Aratiatia rapids today was fantastic. The gates are opened 3 times daily. To watch the water flow down through the gorge was thrilling. Then we went on a boat cruise down to the Huka Falls. Absolutely marvelous, a very informative guide who provided the best service. Highly recommend
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Melissa Rosamond Watt on Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This was a fab stop to watch the dam be opened and the rapids flow. Great for adults and kids alike. Be sure to go down the trail (across from the carpark) as you get a much better view than from the bridge. And free! Bonus for sure ?
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