Taupo

The focus of this region is Lake Taupo – New Zealand’s largest lake (619 square kilometres) and the heart of the North Island. Lake Taupo was created by a volcanic eruption so big the sun went hazy in China (relax, that was a few thousand years ago). Almost everywhere you look there’s a volcano. Just a few minutes north of the Lake at Wairakei you’ll find geothermal fields, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers. The Lake Taupo district is an area of considerable beauty and diversity, offering a wide range of activities, adventures and scenic opportunities. Often described as the jewel in the crown of the North Island, Lake Taupo is set amidst clean, green countryside, spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful native bush and some of the largest pine forests in the Southern Hemisphere. The area’s lakes and rivers are very popular for a variety of both winter and summer water sports, including sailing, water skiing and jet boating, with its neighbouring countryside providing the perfect environment for a number of land sports, including skiing, hiking and mountain biking. The region has long been known as the trout fishing capital of the world, offering some of the best angling in New Zealand for rainbow and brown trout, in both the lake and its two major rivers – the Tongariro and the Waikato.

A few minutes south of the Lake is Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s first national park and a World Heritage area. It was created in 1887 when its three magnificent volcanoes, Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, were gifted to the people of New Zealand by the Ngati Tuwharetoa people. The Tongariro National Park is also home to the famous Tongariro Crossing – a scenic trek through some of the most spectacular volcanic scenery in the country. The Tongariro Crossing is often described as the best one day walk in New Zealand. On a quieter note, Lake Taupo also offers every opportunity for you to unwind and relax, be it with a round of golf on one of the many top quality golf courses, or a cruise around some of the more secluded bays on the lake. A leisurely stroll can often lead to a natural hot spring on the side of the river, while the whole region offers plenty of sheltered picnic spots, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Come winter, the region comes to life as a ski destination, ideally located just a short drive from Taupo is Mt Ruapehu and the Whakapapa ski field – the largest ski area in New Zealand – offering a variety of runs perfect for both skiing and snowboarding at a beginners to advanced level.

If you need a break from the ski field, 65 different activities between Taupo and MT Ruapehu means you can always find something else to do. Thermal activity elsewhere in the region includes natural hot pools and springs, Craters of the Moon – a 30 minute walk around steaming craters and boiling mud pools, and Orakei Korako – a hidden valley of silica terraces and leaping geysers. And no visit to the Lake Taupo region is complete without visiting the mighty Huka Falls. Watch captivated, as nearly 300,000 litres of water per second hurtles through the narrow chasm that makes this waterfall the most visited attraction in New Zealand. Whether you are after a relaxing break or an adrenaline pumping destination, Lake Taupo offers an experience for everyone!

Still looking for activity ideas around Taupo? Take a look at our article on Things to do in and around Taupo.