What To Do In Taupo While Waiting For A Half Ironman? Go Op Shopping!

Not too long ago, my husband participated in the Taupo Half Ironman 70.3 (70.3 refers to the distance in miles, for those of us not in the Ironman world – 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run)

To be there on time it was a very early start for us, but once he was at the start line, and I had taken a few photos of the event, it was time to decide how to fill in my time until he was back. 

As someone who loves op shopping, it was a no brainer!

So, off I went. I only managed to visit a few op shops, as for some reason several were closed due to event road closures, and others were just closed thinking they wouldn’t get many visitors, but I know I wasn’t the only one wandering around shopping. There definitely are more to visit next time I can get to Taupo, if they are open.

The shops I visited in Taupo are:

Care Shop – 34 Nukuhau Street.

SPCA Shop – 32 Oruanui Street, Taupō 3377

Salvation Army Shop – 77 Spa Road

Red Cross Shop – 79 Te Heuheu Street

Second Time New And Used Furniture – 77 Spa Road

It was wonderful to see that most of the op shops I visited were priced accordingly, whereas others, I felt like maybe I had stepped into an Antique Shop! In almost all the stores though, the staff had great stories to tell, and it was so lovely to hear about their passions. 

If shopping isn’t really your thing, or you need other fun things to do while you visit:

• Take a wander along the lakefront, and get the obligatory selfie with the “Love Taupo” sign.
• You can’t miss the incredible Huka Falls. Free to visit, and just stunning to see. 

• Take a ride in the doughboats – https://www.doughboats.com/

• Visit Spa Thermal Park, and walk about 5 minutes and soak in a free hot spring in Otumuheke Stream. There’s even a coffee stall and bathrooms there now, so you may never want to leave!