Epic Swim Lake Taupo - 13 January 2024

New Zealand's finest, and aspiring distance swimmers meet every year in the fresh-water playground of Lake Taupo for the Lake Taupo Epic Swim. Whether you are a solo freestyler or want to grab three of your swimming friends for the relay, Riverside Apartment is the perfect place to stay. The apartment sleeps up to six and our location is perfect, walking distance from the lakefront.

Hydro Thunder on the Lake - 27-28 January 2024

Incredible off-shore power boating creating a truly amazing spectacle. Get out on the water or check out the action from Lake Terrace or visit the Hydro Thunder FB page for more details.

Taupo Summer Concert - 27 January 2024

2024 will see another stellar line-up of artists and bands performing live at the Taupo Domain. This year features icons Simple Minds, Texas, Collective Soul and Pseudo Echo. One of the hottest dates on Taupo's event calendar means our apartments normally book out a year in advance. Greenstone Entertainment will let us know the final line-up in the first few months of the year, so get ready to soak up the atmosphere, get your tickets and most importantly - don't forget to book your Taupo accommodation. For more information about the 2024 Taupo Summer Concert check the Greenstone Entertainment site.

Kinloch Triathlon - 10-11 February 2024

For beginners to competitors, the Sovereign Tri Series is one of the biggest festivals of triathlon in New Zealand. In the height of summer, Kinloch hosts this great event with short-course 300m / 9km / 3km (swim / bike / run) races for individuals or teams up to the standard triathlon distances of 1500m / 40km / 10km for the teams or individual triathletes.

Check it out at the Kinloch Triathlon website. The Kinloch Tri event normally falls on the second week in February each year.

Great Lake Relay - TBC

Unfortunately the future of the Great Lake Relay is in doubt, watch this space for updated information.

The Great Lake Relay is regarded as the best team-building exercise of all time. Every year around 4,500 participants run and walk the 155 km course around Lake Taupo in teams of 10 to 18. The addition of the Nature Valley Length caters for teams of five to eight members and covers the 67.5 km from Pukawa on the south-western shore to Taupo township. Solo runners / walkers cover the same distance. Book early to reserve Riverside Apartment for your team. This event can be held on the third Saturday in February of each year, however in 2023 it has shifted to March.

Taupo Ironman New Zealand - 2 March 2024

Established in 1999 the Taupo New Zealand Ironman event is considered the world's most international with approximately half of the competitors coming from outside of NZ. 2024 celebrates its 40th year so the event will be huge. Perhaps we are biased but we think it is also the most beautiful course of any Ironman too. Riverside Apartment is an ideal base for the Ironman as it has plenty of bedding for the athletes and their support teams (sleeps up to six) and lots of space downstairs with a double secure garage for the bikes and equipment! Book early for Taupo's premiere sporting event - traditionally held on the first Saturday in March each year.

Taupo Home and Garden Show - 12-14 April 2024

The Taupo Home and Garden Show returns to the Great Lake Centre. Gather some great ideas and information to transform your house or garden. New innovations, seminars, expert advice, latest trends and products will be available under one roof from the many exhibitors.

Taupo Supercars ITM SuperSprint New Zealand - 19-21 April 2024

Racing returns to Taupo with the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship. Expecting more than 9,000 overseas visitors plus tens of thousands of domestic tourists, the ITM Taupo SuperSprints is an event not to be missed.

The NZ Government has contributed $5M to ensure the event is run in Taupo until at least 2026. This is a peak demand event and as such we encourage our motor-racing fans and guests to inquire early for 2025 as we have already booked out 2024.

Taupo Trail Festival - 26-28 April 2024

A new event in 2024, the Taupo Trail Festival is a celebration of "everything trail" and Taupo's trails are amongst the best anywhere. Mountain bike events include the Kids Craters MTB Event (yeah, wear them out on their loop track - "just one more lap, Jimmy!") - and the Craters Classic MTB for the big people. Running options are the fun Craters Multi-Lap Night Run (don't worry, it's not a backyard ultra run-til-you-drop thing - there's a 2 hour time limit set - and the Craters Forest Trail Run/Walk. The Craters Forest Trail event has many distances ranging from a 2km kids dash to a 21km half marathon and walkers are also welcome. An individual or team rogaine event (think orienteering but in no set order for finding the control points!) is held on the Saturday. Book your Taupo Trail Festival accommodation at Riverside Apartment for a relaxing and well-located holiday apartment. Double-car garaging ideal for storing your car and your bikes. More information about the Festival at the Taupo Trail Festival website. This event is normally held on the last weekend in April.

Taupo Marathon - 3 August 2024

The Taupo Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km and 5km event continues in 2024 in its 31st year, taking in amazing scenery as thousands of runners pound the pavement in this key event in Taupo. Book now. This event is normally held on the first weekend that spans into August each year, it occasionally varies from the Saturday to the Sunday. For more information check out the website.

Kinloch Offroad Challenge - 7 September 2024

Off-road running at its best - from 5km to the full off-road marathon - choose your level of pain then ease back and relax once you've booked Riverside Apartment for your stay. More information at their website. This event is normally held on the first or second Saturday in September.

NZ Junior Rugby Festival - 18-22 September 2024

Registration and weigh-in on the Thursday, games at Owen Delany Park in Taupo from Friday through to Sunday followed by the prize giving on Sunday afternoon. Typically there are more than 100 teams at this fantastic grass-roots rugby event even some from overseas. Grades from Under 9s (39kg) to Under 13s (73kg). More information on the NZ Rugby website.

Taupo Ultra Marathon - 12 October 2024

Run the Great Lake Trail solo or as part of a group in this endurance event that has distance options of 24, 50, 70 and 100km. Book Riverside Apartment for your stay - there's room for the whole team (and supporters). More information at the Taupo Ultra Marathon website. The Taupo Ultra Marathon is normally scheduled for the second Saturday of October.

McCartney Invitational - 11-13 October 2024

The Taupo AFC hosts the McCartney Invitational Soccer Tournament every year in the last weekend of the October school holidays. If you are looking for accommodation for this event, Riverside Apartment is the ideal place to stay as we can host up to six people across both apartments with double-car garaging, free kayaks and onsite swimming pool (heated for the October school holidays) for the kids when they are not playing. More on the McCartney Invitational (Taupo AFC) Facebook page.

Graffiato Street Art Festival - 26-28 October 2024

New Zealand's best and longest running street art festival takes place in Taupo every Labour Weekend. In 2024 it will be in its 14th year and brings an ever-increasing number of street murals into this vibrant town. Wander the streets and be surprised by the talented individuals that put their works on public display - even when the festival is not under way. Well-known artists such as Chimp, Erin Forsyth, Haser, SWiFTMANTiS and Ahsin Ahsin have produced works, some easier to find than others! Check out the Taupo Street Art walking map and discover some amazing art works in this beautiful lakefront town.

BDO Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - 30 November 2024

New Zealand's largest bike event sees up to 10,000 riders from all around the world coming to take part over year. Highly rated as one of the best recreational events in the world, the 2024 event will be the 46th year... read more about it. Remember that our secure double garage is perfect for storing your valuable bikes as well as your support wagon!

Taupo IronMan 70.3 - World Championship 14-15 December 2024

The iconic 70.3 event will be epic as Taupo is finally named as the host. Get in fast, our accommodation books out very quickly and demand will be unprecedented.

More events and information

Please visit www.GreatLakeTaupo.com/Events for the full list of events in the Great Lake Taupo region.