Craters of the Moon, Taupō: Visitor guide with ticket prices, hours and must-know tips

Craters of the Moon is a geothermal walkway within the Wairakei Tourist Park, just north of Taupō, New Zealand. This 2026 guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.

This guide was updated in April 2026 to confirm the current $10 adult admission fee and the steady 4:00 PM last entry cut-off time.

Quick facts about Craters of the Moon

Feature	Details
Opening hours	9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily (last entry 4:00 PM)
Ticket prices	$10 for adults, $5 for children
Address	171 Karapiti Road, Wairakei Park, Taupō 3377
Nearest public transport or parking	Free on-site car park
Typical time needed to visit	45 to 60 minutes

Craters of the Moon opening hours

Craters of the Moon operates year-round, opening daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The only exception is Christmas Day, when the entire facility is closed to the public.

Visitors must be aware that the last entry is strictly at 4:00 PM to ensure everyone has sufficient time to complete the walking loop before the gates are locked. These operational hours do not typically change between the summer and winter seasons.

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Craters of the Moon ticket prices

General admission to the main walkway and upper lookout costs $10 for adults and $5 for children aged five to 15 years old. Children under five enter for free, while a family pass covering two adults and up to four children is available for $25.

Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. Craters of the Moon is not part of any international city pass schemes, but visitors often combine their trip with other nearby Wairakei Tourist Park attractions like the Wairakei Terraces, Huka Prawn Park, and Huka Falls, which require separate entry fees.

How to get to Craters of the Moon

The attraction is located at 171 Karapiti Road, situated within the Wairakei Tourist Park approximately 10 minutes north of the Taupō town centre. Visitors will need to drive or take a taxi, as there are no direct public bus services that run to the site.

From State Highway 1, motorists turn onto Wairakei Drive and then follow the prominent signposts onto Karapiti Road. The entrance to the walkway is located roughly two kilometres down this sealed road.

Parking at Craters of the Moon

A spacious, free on-site car park is available immediately outside the visitor kiosk. It provides ample room for standard vehicles, campervans, and large tour buses.

Parking is strictly for visitors actively walking the geothermal trails, and all vehicles must be removed by the 5:00 PM closing time. There are no parking time limits while you are inside the attraction.

How long to spend at Craters of the Moon

Most visitors take between 45 and 60 minutes to complete the main loop and the optional upper viewpoint track. The walking pace is generally slow, as visitors frequently stop to take photographs and read the interpretive signs.

Those with limited mobility who only walk the flat, lower boardwalks often complete their visit in 30 to 40 minutes.

Accessibility at Craters of the Moon

The primary loop track is built using wide, flat, and well-maintained wooden boardwalks. This main pathway is fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible, providing a barrier-free route through the majority of the geothermal field.

However, the optional Upper Walkway extension involves a moderate climb with multiple wooden steps. This specific section is steep and is not suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or prams.

Inside / what to see at Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon is an active geothermal field that emerged in the 1950s after the nearby Wairakei power station lowered underground water pressures, causing superheated steam to vent to the surface. The landscape is a shifting environment of steaming earth.

Visitors follow a set route that winds through bubbling mud pools, hissing fumaroles, and large, deep craters. Because the underground activity is dynamic, vents frequently shift, collapse, and regenerate, meaning the landscape changes noticeably over time.

The soil surrounding the vents features yellow and red mineral deposits, contrasted against patches of specialized, heat-tolerant vegetation, such as prostrate kanuka, that manages to survive in the hostile environment.

Informational panels are positioned along the boardwalks to explain the geological forces at work and the history of the Wairakei geothermal system.

For safety reasons, visitors are strictly required to remain on the boardwalks at all times. The ground surrounding the paths is unstable and extremely hot, posing a severe burn risk to anyone who strays off the designated trail.

Practical visitor tips

Topic	Tip
Timing	Visit early in the morning when the cooler air makes the steam clouds appear much thicker and more prominent.
Crowds	The walkway rarely feels overcrowded due to the continuous, one-way flow of the loop track.
Layout	The site is entirely outdoors and highly exposed; there is almost no shade, making a hat and sunscreen essential.
Entry process	Tickets are purchased at the small visitor kiosk located right at the edge of the car park before entering the trail.
On-site logistics	Basic restrooms are located near the car park, but there are no food or drink concessions available inside the park.

Frequently asked questions about Craters of the Moon

Question	Answer
Is Craters of the Moon suitable for children?	Yes, the main boardwalk is flat and easy for children to walk, but they must be kept on the path at all times.
Do you need to book tickets in advance for Craters of the Moon?	No, walk-up tickets can be easily purchased at the entrance kiosk upon arrival.
Is Craters of the Moon open on Sundays?	Yes, the attraction operates seven days a week, including Sundays.
Are bags allowed at Craters of the Moon?	Yes, you can carry a daypack with water and a camera on the walkway.