Aratiatia Rapids Viewpoint
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Aratiatia Rapids Viewpoint
5 minute walk
Aratiatia Rapids Viewpoint is a very short walk to watch the impressive dam release of the Waikato River.
The spillway at the Aratitia dam is opened daily at 10:00 am, 12:00 noon, 2:00 pm (winter and summer) and also 4:00 pm in summer.
Details
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Organisation |
DOC Central North IslandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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4.5/5
11May24.
As previous reviews, the fill is a bit slow but all the same is very impressive.
We were fortunate to arrive, unplanned, at about 11.50 so had time to get in position.
Glad we went
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2.5/5
The water was beautiful but didn’t meet my expectations.
It’s not really rushing out but more filled up a large area quickly. The Huka Falls was better but worth the trip if in the area during the times.
AL![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(24,73,220)" /><path d="m 150 630 Q 150 150 -330 150 Q 150 150 150 -330 Q 150 150 630 150 Q 150 150 150 630 z" fill="rgb(101,122,251)" /><path d="m 150 521 Q 182 118 -221 150 Q 182 182 150 -221 Q 118 182 521 150 Q 118 118 150 521 z" fill="rgb(154,133,4)" /><path d="m 150 195 Q 110 190 105 150 Q 110 110 150 105 Q 190 110 195 150 Q 190 190 150 195 z" fill="rgb(231,182,35)" /></svg>)
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3.5/5
It is nothing compared to Huka Falls.
It is free and nice to see, but be there on time. It filled up slowly and lacked something dramatic.
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5.0/5
Spectacular view!
Very impressive when the valley gets flooded by the ice-blue water. Much less people as at the Huka Falls.
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4.0/5
Interesting place.
The key to appreciating it 100% is to arrive to the bridge 15 mins before. Then walk 10 minutes to the middle view point until the water is released and once the first water pools are full walk as fast as possible to the highest view point located 5 minutes walk from the middle point.
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5.0/5
Great!
Make sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to dam opening. The first viewpoint is an easy 5 minutes walk. The second one (higher + little more challenging walk) is 8 minutes walk from first viewpoint (so 13 minutes from car parking area). People who watched "The Hobbit - Desolation of Smaug" will recognise this place ;-). You can also access the higher viewpoint via an asphalted access further up the main road for wheelchairs and so on. A must see when near Taupo.
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4.0/5
Close to the same are nice walkways, dam opens every few hours, which has become an event for tourists, more impressive than the Huka Falls.
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4.0/5
Some great lookouts - get there in time to walk to the higher vantage points.
Also strolling by Lake Taupo - great ambience.
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4.0/5
on set hours the overflow of water takes the natural way.
Wonderful to see and learn about 'White Power'.
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5.0/5
This walk is great taking in the opening of the Dam gates, filling the rapids and pretty Huka Falls with good viewing points.
Stunning.
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