Every Labour Day weekend the annual Taupo Street Art Festival brings artists from around New Zealand to paint murals on its walls. Dubbed “Graffiato Taupo,” the celebration of colors has brought life to this already fun adventure town on the lake. Although the festival is in October, travelers can be seen year round roaming the streets and hunting out their favorite pieces of Lake Taupo artwork. Join us as we discover some of the most unique art in New Zealand in the little town of Taupo!
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Graffiato Taupo Street Art Festival
Starting in 2011, artists from all over New Zealand have been descending on Lake Taupo to paint the walls of the town. Not only is it the first street art festival in New Zealand, but it has transformed the once bare alleyways into colorful Lake Taupo artwork. Now what started off as a small street art festival brings artists from around the world! Today there’s over 85 murals to see as you stroll around Taupo.
Our Favorite Lake Taupo Street Art
We visited after the 2019 Taupo Street Art Festival, and were blown away by what we found. With our tourist map in hand, we walked through the many alleyways checking out this amazing New Zealand art.
In between the salons and bakeries we explored the Lake Taupo artwork scene, and found dozens of different murals. Here’s some of our favorite Graffiato Taupo street art you’ll experience on your walk around town.
Explore More of Lake Taupo
- 17 Fun Things to Do in Taupo New Zealand Around the Lake
- Taupo to Huka Falls Walk: Fun Route, Hot Springs, & More!
- Mount Tauhara: Fun 3 Hour Hike Above Lake Taupo New Zealand
- Taranaki Falls Track: 2 Hour Easy Hike to a Magical Waterfall
- 14 Helpful Tongariro Crossing Tips for the Epic Hike in NZ
Other Places to Find New Zealand Art
Although the Taupo street art scene is awesome, you should know there’s plenty of other great New Zealand art to see around the country! Traditional Maori art can be found on both islands in the form of carvings, jewelry, paintings, tattoos, and weaving.
Also, the migration of Europeans in the mid-19th century brought a more modern style that portrayed the incredible landscapes of New Zealand. Graffiato Taupo has now opened the doors to other similar festivals. However, if you’re flying into the north island be sure to stop in at the Auckland Art Gallery for the nations largest collection.
Have any questions on Taupo street art, or want to share some of your own favorite murals? Leave us a comment at the bottom of this post!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Where To Stay In Lake Taupo
Ultra Luxury – Serenity On Wakeman – Positioned perfectly on the water, this fantastic hotel has everything you’ll need for an upscale stay in Taupo. Enjoy stunning views from your private balcony, a delicious breakfast, and all the amenities you’d expect in lakefront luxury.
Fun Vacation – Acacia Lake View Motel – This comfy motel is located just a short walk from town and is directly across the street from Lake Taupo. Offering apartment and hotel style units, the Acacia Lake View is a great spot for both families and couples.
Travel Couple – Taupo Debretts Spa Resort – Ready for some more hot spring thermal baths? With your stay at Taupo Debretts Spa Resort you’ll be able to enjoy them any time of the day. This fun resort has many other spa treatments available, is just a quick drive from town, and has a range of room options.
Hostel Life – YHA Taupo Finlay Jack’s Backpackers – Located walking distance to the lake, bars, Huka Falls Jet, and famous Lake Taupo Bungy jump. This hostel offers both private rooms and dorm beds.
For more places to stay in Lake Taupo you can explore the latest prices here!
___________________________New Zealand Travel Planning
Jucy Van: The best way to explore New Zealand is with a Jucy camper! We spent over six weeks driving around the North and South Islands in a van and loved every moment.
Rental Car: If you’re not renting a van you’ll need a car to see this country. We use Discover Cars when traveling and enjoy having the freedom to get around.
Flights: It’s easy to find cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Auckland to Queenstown for $40 USD, and New Zealand to Fiji for less than $150!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go to if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over New Zealand! They have everything from tickets to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves to a Hobbiton movie set tour, and even a Northland hole in the rock dolphin cruise!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for insurance the last few years and they are always there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
