If you’re an avid thrift shopper hunting for unique finds while exploring the picturesque town of Taupo in New Zealand, we’ve got you covered.
Taupo is well known for its breathtaking scenery and outdoor pursuits, but it’s also got some undiscovered treasures in the shape of second-hand stores. These thrift shops provide a wide range of previously owned goods, including retro apparel, oddball collectibles, and home goods.
We’ll look at the top six op shops in Taupo in this guide, revealing the places that visitors who are looking for unique and reasonably priced finds in this quaint North Island town really must go.
Taupo’s Top 6 Op Shops
Here are the six op shops we’ve determined to be the best ones for quality second-hand items in Taupo:
- SPCA Op Shop – rated 3.8 out of 5
- The Op Shop Taupo – rated 4.1 out of 5
- Red Cross Shop – rated 4.3 out of 5
- The Salvation Army – rated 3.7 out of 5
- Hospice Shop Taupo – rated 4.6 out of 5
- Care Op Shop – rated 4.4 out of 5
1. SPCA Op Shop
| Best Known For | Clothing, Jewellery, Homeware, Kitchenware, Linen, Toys, Furniture |
| Website | https://www.spca.nz/opshops?shop=taupo-op-shop |
| Telephone | +6473773946 |
| info@spca.nz | |
| Address | 32 Oruanui Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday
- 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday
- 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Reviews
“Excellent service, friendly staff, and moderately priced items for a good cause. Every other day, I go and am always impressed.”
“Excellent op shop with reasonable prices and a well-organized layout.”
“Outstanding support and reasonable pricing. They also have a good range of secondhand books.”
2. The Op Shop Taupo
| Best Known For | Recycled Clothes, Accessories, Household items, Books |
| Website | https://www.theopshoptaupo.com/ |
| Telephone | +6473786595 |
| admin@theopshoptaupo.com opshop.taupo@xtra.co.nz | |
| Address | 46 Tītīraupenga Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Thursday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday
- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Reviews
“Awesome little Op shop with loads of great bargains.”
“I got some good books and my better half got some high-quality apparel. Also, the person behind the counter is quite friendly.”
“It is a huge thrift store with a wide selection and reasonable prices. It’s worth a stop if you’ve forgotten something you need. Men’s jackets are a little scarce. Men, on the other hand, rarely replace their apparel, thus guy stuff is a little harder to come by. However, there is an abundance of other apparel.”
Related articles:
- The 13 Best Tauranga Op Shops
- The 13 Best Wellington Second-Hand Shops
- The 4 Best Whakatane Thrift Stores
3. Red Cross Shop
| Best Known For | Clothing, Accessories, Footwear, Curtains, Books, Toys, Kitchenware, Homeware, Manchester, Electronic appliances |
| Website | https://www.redcross.org.nz/about-us/contact-us/map-of-new-zealand-red-cross-locations/ |
| Telephone | +6473770886 |
| shop.taupo@redcross.org.nz | |
| Address | 79 Te Heuheu Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Thursday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday
- 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Reviews
“A lovely group of females. And a fantastic Op shop. It’s a great spot in Taupo to stop by because you never know what you’ll find.”
“A wonderful little op shop that is well worth a visit. They offered some fantastic apparel deals as well as a plethora of cheap toys for the kids. I would recommend it to others.”
“Taupo’s Best op shop. This place is cFresh, well-organized by size and colour, and a joy to shop in.”
4. The Salvation Army
| Best Known For | Recycled household goods, Clothing and Furniture |
| Website | https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/help-us/family-stores |
| Telephone | +6473784472 |
| public.relations@salvationarmy.org.nz | |
| Address | 77 Spa Road, Taupō 3330, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday
- 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Reviews
“Second-hand shop with good grade and pricing.”
“The store is beautifully put up and huge, with some good displays of comparable items. There isn’t much parking accessible in front, but it’s good if you don’t mind walking down the side street.”
“I enjoy shopping in thrift stores, especially Salvation Army stores. There is a lot of variety, and everything is in wonderful condition. It feels good to know I’m receiving a decent deal while also contributing to community care and support.”
“The best op shop I’ve ever gone to (and I’ve been to a lot!) This shop’s inventory, pricing, quality, layout, and atmosphere are all excellent. I’m very glad I went while in Taupo.”
5. Hospice Shop Taupo
| Best Known For | Used Clothing, DVD’s, Books and Puzzles |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/LakeTaupoHospiceRetail/ |
| Telephone | +6473773493 |
| shoptaupo@laketaupohospice.co.nz | |
| Address | Totara Point Shopping Centre 15/29 Tōtara Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Thursday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Friday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Saturday
- 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday
- 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Reviews
“I love this shop and go there every time I visit Taupo. The business is well-organized, and the prices are generally competitive. They have a wide range of everything. However, the yarn/wool in the craft section is overpriced… as much as new in the shop across the street.”
6. Care Op Shop
| Best Known For | Second hand Clothes, Shoes, Bags, Crockery, Kitchen items |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/CARECOMMUNITYNZ |
| Telephone | +64272225776 |
| careopsmanager@gmail.com | |
| Address | 34 Nukuhau Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Thursday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday
- 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Reviews
“Superb range and selection. Nice kitchen appliance area. The cattery upstairs is always spotless, and the babies are content. Helen is incredible. My boyfriend adores her. All revenues from the shop are used to save the lives of animals around the Taupo and the larger Taupo area. I’m thrilled to be able to help this thrift store.”
“Everything is in abundance. A must-see for op shoppers or anyone shopping for affordably priced products.”
FAQ on Taupo Thrift Stores
SPCA Op Shop, The Op Shop, Red Cross Shop, The Salvation Army, Hospice Shop, and Care Op Shop are some of the best second-hand shops in Taupo near you.
Taupo Op Shops often welcome high school students seeking community service hours, providing valuable volunteering experiences and fulfilling their requirements.
Well, some Op Shops in Taupo work with mental health organisations, sponsoring wellness initiatives in their local communities or providing cash for awareness campaigns.
Yes, it’s possible to find formal wear, including wedding dresses and tuxedos, at some Op Shops in the Taupo region. While availability may vary from store to store and over time, many Op Shops receive donations of gently used or sometimes even new formal attire. These items might include wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, suits, tuxedos, and accessories suitable for formal occasions or weddings.
Conclusion
And that brings us to the end of this article. The diverse selection and welcoming atmospheres of Taupo’s top six op shops make them an essential stop for locals and visitors alike.
With their rich collections and commitment to giving pre-loved items a new lease on life, these second-hand shops stand testament to the joy of thrift shopping in this picturesque New Zealand town.
