Taupō is preparing for another significant sporting weekend as the ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand event returns to town, bringing with it a series of road closures and temporary facility changes starting Thursday.
Pre-event road closures will begin from 7am Thursday, February 27, with Lake Terrace closing between Rifle Range Road and Tui Street for bridge installation. This closure will remain in place until midday Sunday, March 2, with detours in place. Additionally, Rifle Range Road will be closed from Lake Terrace to Roberts Street until 8pm Saturday.
The event's main hub, including the village and finish line, will be located at Tongariro North Domain. Saturday will see the most significant traffic impact, with Broadlands Road closing from 6am to 6:30pm, affecting access to the Broadlands Road Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre. The East Taupō Arterial (ETA) Broadlands Road off-ramp will also be closed during this period.
Public transport users should note that the Tongariro Street Bus Stop will be temporarily relocated to Pāora Hapi Street from 2am Saturday until 2:30am Sunday. For marine users, the Taupō Boat Harbour and Marina will remain accessible via Redoubt Street throughout the event.
While most road closures will be lifted Saturday evening as the event concludes, the Lake Terrace section between Rifle Range Road and Tui Street will remain closed until midday Sunday for bridge removal.
Event organisers are encouraging the community to come out and support the athletes, maintaining Taupō's reputation as one of the world's most welcoming sporting destinations.
For detailed information about event scheduling and activities, residents can visit the official IRONMAN website at www.ironman.com/races/im703-new-zealand/schedule.
Map: road closures in Taupō and how to get around
Map: Broadlands Road closure and how to get around
Full list of road closures
PRE EVENT ROAD CLOSURES STARTING THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY
- LAKE TERRACE: Rifle Range Rd to Tui St (detour in place for bridge install), 7am Thursday 27 February to 12pm Sunday 2 March
- RIFLE RANGE RD: Lake Terrace to Roberts St, 7am Thursday 27 February to 8pm Saturday 1 March
ROAD CLOSURES ON EVENT DAY, SATURDAY 1 MARCH
- TONGARIRO ST NORTHBOUND LANE: Ferry Rd to Spa Rd, 2am Saturday 1 March to 2.30am Sunday 2 March
- TONGARIRO ST SOUTHBOUND LANE: Tūwharetoa St to Roberts St, 2am Saturday 1 March to 2.30am Sunday 2 March
- ROBERTS ST: Tongariro St to Ruapehu St, 2am Saturday 1 March to 4pm Sunday 2 March
- LAKE TERRACE: Ruapehu St to Mere Rd, 2am Saturday 1 March to 2.30am Sunday 2 March
- RUAPEHU ST: Roberts St to Lake Terrace (motel access only via southbound slip lane) 2am Saturday 1 March to 2.30am Sunday 2 March
- LAKE TERRACE: Mere Rd to Napier Rd, 6am to 7pm Saturday 1 March
- KAIMANAWA ST: Lake Terrace to Roberts St, 2am to 7pm Saturday 1 March (EV charging and fire station access only)
- RIFLE RANGE RD: Lake Terrace to Mere Rd, 2am to 7pm Saturday 1 March
- RIFLE RANGE RD: Mere Rd to Tauhara Rd, 6am to 7pm Saturday 1 March
- TAUHARA RD: AC Baths Ave to Miro St, 6am to 7pm Saturday 1 March (slip lane in place Miro St to Hatton St, 6am to 6.30pm)
- BROADLANDS RD: Miro St to Taupō boundary, 6am to 6.30pm Saturday 1 March
- VIEW RD: Aratiatia Rd to Broadlands Rd, 6am to 3pm Saturday 1 March
- CENTENNIAL DRIVE: Rakaunui Rd to Broadlands Rd 6am to 3pm Saturday 1 March
- BROADLANDS RD: Rotorua Boundary to Reporoa, 6am to 6pm Saturday 1 March
- VAILE, HALCROW & HOMESTEAD RDS: Broadlands Rd to Broadlands Rd, 6am to 4.30pm Saturday 1 March
- EAST TAUPO ARTERIAL (ETA) BROADLANDS RD OFF RAMP (OFF RAMP ONLY): 6am to 6pm Saturday 1 March
PARKING RESTRICTIONS - NO PARKING WILL BE AVAILABLE AS FOLLOWS:
- TONGARIRO ST NORTHBOUND LANE ONLY: 2am Saturday 1 March to 2.30am Sunday 2 March
- LAKE TERRACE: Ruapehu St to Napier Rd, 2am Saturday 1 March to 2am Sunday 2 March
- RIFLE RANGE RD: Lake Terrace to Tauhara Rd, 5am to 6.30pm Saturday 1 March
- TAUHARA RD: Rifle Range Rd to Miro St, 5am to 7.30pm Saturday 1 March
- RAINBOW DR: Lake Terrace to Kowhai Rd, 6.30am Saturday 1 March to 12 noon Sunday 2 March
