We now offer either a full breakfast in the dining room or a tray-served breakfast in your room. The Olive Rabbit is a boutique bed and breakfast in Turangi where you can relax and access the southern end of Lake Taupo. We are set in a quiet and semi-rural spot in the old historical fishing settlement, on the river side of town. Farmland is across the road and our neighbours are holiday homes making this often a quiet and serene place. We host four rooms in the guest wing, each with private bathrooms, queen beds, or king singles, and deluxe linen and fittings, complete with free wifi and televisions. All rooms open out onto a three-sided, wrap-around verandah surrounded by cottage plantings. There are also café tables for outside dining. At the rear is a furnished, shared patio backed by a plot of natural bush. There is also a guest-fridge with tea & coffee making facilities, and storage space for guests. We can provide cut lunches, at an additional charge, especially for the Tongariro Crossing day, plus a fee-charged laundry service. We work hard to make your stay a relaxed and unforgettable one and love to share our place with others.

We have recently purchased this piece of paradise and love our new way of life, away from the bustle of city life. Mary, with a teaching background, is revelling on the new focus and hosting people from all cultures and countries, while Tim, with an agricultural background, is well settled into the quiet rural setting and loves to meet and chat with new people while he still keeps his hand in with contracts in the rural sector. We love to travel, share our experiences and listen to guests’ stories. Breakfast conversations are often a time of sharing cultures and getting to know one another. We have a personal knowledge of travel around New Zealand and enjoy helping guests to plan their ventures both in the Turangi/Taupo area and throughout New Zealand. No question is too difficult as we shall research for and with you. We have family living at the back of the property, whom you may meet, plus a very independent calico cat who is forbidden in the guest wing. We are friendly and welcoming and are committed to ensuring guests’ stays are strongly memorable as we try to stand out in the crowd.

The Olive Rabbit is a perfect base to explore the National Park such as the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Sky Waka gondola to NZ’s highest restaurant for a meal or snack, viewing of various Lord of the Rings scenery shots such as Meads Wall, the many short walks around or near the mountain, white-water rafting, or fish the rivers and lake, ski in winter, or just a therapeutic soak in the Tokaanu hot pools only ten minutes away. Guests can also choose to relax at our place. We respect privacy and ensure a calm and serene stay for everyone. The Olive Rabbit is minutes away from eating options: the Turangi Tavern for a basic kiwi meal, to Rust for burgers and tapas, the Italian Valentino’s restaurant, plus Indian and Chinese takeaways to bring home or enjoy at the river or lake. Lakeland House is a ten-minute drive to a small restaurant on the lake’s edge, and the newly-opened Hare & Copper Eatery is five minutes out of town where main meals and shared plates can be enjoyed in a rural setting either in the restaurant, on their deck or sprawled on the vast lawn. There is so much to do in Turangi and its environs, just make sure you stay long enough to enjoy this wonderland.