Some weekends are not about doing more. They are about choosing better.
A quiet round of golf. A morning beside the river. Fresh lake air. Native bush. Slow evenings. Space to breathe.
For guests looking to reconnect with the outdoors, Taupō offers the perfect balance of activity and calm. Whether your ideal weekend includes championship golf, fly fishing, lake views, long lunches or simply returning to a private villa at the end of the day, The Point Villas is a beautiful base for a restorative escape.
Set within the exclusive Whakamoenga Point estate above Lake Taupō, The Point Villas offers private, spacious villas surrounded by native bush and panoramic lake views. The estate is also only a short drive from Taupō township, giving guests both peaceful seclusion and easy access to the wider region.
A weekend made for the outdoors
Taupō is one of those rare destinations where the landscape naturally invites you outside.
Mornings can begin with birdsong and coffee on the deck. Days can be spent on fairways, rivers, walking trails or the lake. Evenings can be slow and quiet, with the privacy of your own villa to return to.
There is something deeply grounding about time outdoors. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand notes that connecting with nature can support mental wellbeing, reduce stress and help people feel more balanced.
That is what makes a golf and fly fishing weekend in Taupō so appealing. It is active, but not rushed. Scenic, but not crowded. Memorable, but still deeply relaxing.
Golf near The Point Villas
Taupō is a true golfing destination, with a mix of premium championship courses, friendly local clubs and relaxed social options. For guests staying at The Point Villas, golf can be as serious or as easygoing as you want it to be.
The Kinloch Club
For golfers wanting a premium experience, The Kinloch Club is one of the region’s standout courses.
It is New Zealand’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and is known for its championship design, undulating fairways, fast greens and elevated views over Lake Taupō. The course is designed to be both challenging and rewarding, making it a memorable option for serious golfers and visitors looking for a bucket-list round.
This is the course to choose if the golf itself is a major part of the weekend. It offers a refined, destination-style experience that pairs beautifully with a luxury stay at The Point Villas.
Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary
Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary is another exceptional Taupō golf experience.
Set within a predator-free wildlife sanctuary, Wairakei combines championship golf with conservation. The course is home to native birdlife and wildlife, including kiwi and takahē, and offers a uniquely peaceful setting where golf and nature sit side by side.
For guests who love the outdoors, this is a particularly special option. It is not just a round of golf. It is a walk through a protected natural environment, with birdsong, mature trees, wildlife and beautifully maintained fairways all part of the experience.
Taupō Golf Club: Centennial Course
Taupō Golf Club offers two 18-hole courses close to Taupō township, making it a practical and enjoyable option for guests wanting an accessible round during their stay. The club is set in a mature parkland environment near thermal activity and beneath Mt Tauhara.
The Centennial Course is the club’s premier 18-hole course. It offers an enjoyable challenge for a range of golfers and is a great choice for those wanting a full round without travelling far from town.
Taupō Golf Club: Tauhara Course
The Tauhara Course is the more relaxed of the two Taupō Golf Club options. It is described as flat, encouraging terrain that welcomes golfers of different levels, making it a good fit for a more casual game or for guests who want to enjoy golf without making the day feel too demanding.
This is a strong option for couples, families or groups where not everyone is an experienced golfer.
Kinloch Village Golf Club
Kinloch Village Golf Club is a relaxed, friendly option in the lakeside village of Kinloch.
The club describes the course as immaculately presented and suitable for either 10 or 18 holes. It is a lovely choice for a casual round, especially if you want to combine golf with time in Kinloch, trout fishing, walking, cycling or a relaxed stop by Whangamatā Bay.
This course suits guests who want something easygoing, scenic and less formal than a championship course.
Wairakei Resort Taupō 9-Hole Golf Course
For a shorter and more social game, Wairakei Resort Taupō offers a public 9-hole course.
The course is open to hotel guests and the public, with club and trundler hire available. It is a par 34 course and is well suited to family, friends or guests looking for a lighter golf option during their weekend away.
This is a good choice if you want to fit golf into the day without dedicating the full day to it.
Tūrangi Golf Club
For those happy to venture further south, Tūrangi Golf Club offers an 18-hole, par 72 course at the southern end of Lake Taupō.
The course is reasonably flat, tree-lined and includes natural water features. Tūrangi is also known for its connection to trout fishing, making this a great option for guests who want to combine a round of golf with a fly fishing experience in the same area.
This could work especially well for a Saturday or Sunday itinerary that includes both golf and time near the Tongariro River.
Reporoa Golf Club
Reporoa Golf Club is a more traditional country-style course, located in a peaceful rural setting.
It is known for its relaxed local feel, tree-lined fairways and welcoming atmosphere. For golfers who enjoy discovering hidden gems rather than only playing the major courses, Reporoa is worth considering.
This is a good option for guests who want a laid-back country round and a scenic drive through the wider Taupō region.
Mangakino Golf Club
Mangakino Golf Club is another relaxed option in the wider district.
The club is situated between Mangakino township and Lake Maraetai, with a flat to undulating course and picturesque views of the lake and surrounding forest.
This is best suited to guests who enjoy slower travel, country courses and exploring the wider Taupō surrounds.
Fly fishing in Taupō
Taupō is also one of New Zealand’s most well-known trout fishing regions.
For fly fishing, the area offers rivers, tributaries and lake-edge experiences that appeal to both experienced anglers and complete beginners. Love Taupō notes that the region has multiple rivers and tributaries that can be fished, with the Tongariro River described as a major highlight of the fishery.
For guests who are new to fly fishing, booking a local guide is a simple way to make the most of the experience. A guide can provide local knowledge, help with equipment, choose suitable water for the conditions and tailor the day to your experience level.
It is important to note that fishing in the Taupō Fishing District requires the correct licence, and many rivers in the district are restricted to fly fishing only. The Department of Conservation provides the current rules, regulations and licence information for the Taupō Trout Fishery.
Why golf and fly fishing pair so well with a villa stay
Golf and fly fishing are both unhurried by nature.
They ask you to slow down, focus and be present. A good cast, a quiet fairway, the sound of water, the feeling of fresh air and the rhythm of being outside all help create a weekend that feels restorative rather than rushed.
This is where The Point Villas fits so naturally into the experience.
After a morning on the golf course or beside the river, guests can return to complete privacy, lake views, generous living spaces and peaceful outdoor areas. There is no need to hurry back to a busy hotel lobby or crowded accommodation. Instead, the villa becomes part of the weekend itself.
It is where you can share a meal, open a bottle of wine, soak in the spa, sit by the fire, enjoy the view or simply do very little at all.
A sample golf and fly fishing weekend in Taupō
Friday evening: Arrive and unwind
Arrive at The Point Villas, settle in and let the weekend begin slowly. Enjoy the lake views, unpack properly and take the evening at your own pace.
For groups, this is a lovely time to enjoy dinner at the villa, have a sauna and hot spa, plan the next day’s tee time or simply sit outside and take in the quiet.
Saturday morning: Play one of Taupō’s standout golf courses
Start the day with a round at The Kinloch Club or Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary for a premium golf experience.
For something more relaxed, choose Taupō Golf Club, Kinloch Village Golf Club or Wairakei Resort’s 9-hole course.
Saturday afternoon: Return to the villa
After golf, head back to The Point Villas for a slower afternoon. Swim, sauna, relax in the spa, enjoy the deck, read, walk or simply take in the view.
This is the beauty of staying somewhere private. You can do as much or as little as you like.
Sunday morning: Try fly fishing
Spend Sunday morning fly fishing with a local guide, exploring one of Taupō’s well-known rivers or lake-edge fishing spots.
Experienced anglers may want to plan their own route, while beginners will likely get the most from a guided experience.
Sunday afternoon: A slow finish
Before heading home, enjoy a final coffee or lunch in Taupō. If time allows, take one last walk, visit the lakefront or return to the villa for a quiet moment before departure.
The goal is simple: leave feeling rested, refreshed and reconnected.
Make the stay part of the experience
A weekend in Taupō can be more than a quick getaway.
It can be a chance to spend time outdoors, reconnect with nature, enjoy world-class golf, experience renowned fly fishing and return each day to the privacy and comfort of your own luxury villa.
With lake views, peaceful surroundings and easy access to some of Taupō’s most memorable outdoor experiences, The Point Villas is perfectly placed for a weekend that feels both active and deeply relaxing.
Whether you are planning a golf weekend, a fishing escape, a couples retreat or a peaceful few days away with friends, Taupō offers the space to slow down.
And with our latest direct booking offer, there has never been a better reason to stay a little longer.
Explore our latest special offer and start planning your luxury Taupō escape.