Up, out & active in Lake Taupō

IN A REGION THAT’S BEEN CHISELLED BY TECTONIC WIZARDRY, GET READY FOR A LANDSCAPE OF THERMAL VALLEYS POTMARKED WITH MAMMOTH LAKES AND STAMPED WITH VOLCANOES.

Lake Taupō, the biggest lake in Australasia and roughly the size of Singapore, is also one of the world’s most formidable super volcanoes. Quite remarkably, the Chinese and Romans both recorded seeing red-scorched skies during a colossal eruption in around 180 AD. The region’s hot pools and steaming springs are tell-tale signs of the magma sitting below this serene lake. For now, the beast is sleeping, so you can make the most of the water. Kayaking to Mine Bay, where Māori designs are carved into the cliff face is a popular must-do. To the south, in the Ruapehu district, lies the Tongariro National Park. Home to three almighty volcanoes – Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe and Tongariro. In winter a snow-blanketed Ruapehu is heaven for powderhounds, while in summer, the one-day Tongariro Crossing is rated as one of the world’s best hikes and covers a 20km path of steep ridges, scree slopes and emerald lakes.

Cycling, Huka Trails

Destination Great Lake Taupō

For unprecedented views of Mt Ngāuruhoe, which also goes by its stage name of Mt Doom having starred in The Lord of the Rings, book in for high tea at the stately Chateau Tongariro, or jump on the Sky Waka gondola and fly up the hillside with all three mountains in your viewfinder.

Nearby Tūrangi is the unofficial trout capital of New Zealand so don’t forget to pack your rod. At day’s end you can rest your angling arms at Tokaanu’s thermal hot pools, just five minutes down the road.

Welcome to a part of the world where a hot-headed Mother Nature spewed out some of her most awesome creations, or if you follow Māori legend – the fiercest fights occurred between the North Island’s tallest, mightiest mountains.

Taupō

Bare Kiwi

Whatever your appetite for activity is, Taupō delivers...

1. Lake Taupō has an international reputation as a trout fishing haven. Brown and rainbow trout can be hooked year-round with a licence.

2. Slip into New Zealand’s only lagoon-style pool with swim up bar and café at Lake Taupō Holiday Resort.

3. Taupō has been awarded Silver Level Ride Centre status by the International Mountain Biking Association. Craters Mountain Bike Park has 62km of excellent tracks through Wairākei Forest.

4. Ease away your aches in the all-natural (and 100 per cent free) hot pools of Otumuheke Stream in the recently upgraded Spa Thermal Park.

5. Get a bird’s-eye view with a Taupō skydive. On a clear day, you can see both tips of the North Island.

6. At 47 metres high, Taupō Bungy is New Zealand’s highest water-touching bungy jump.

7. Swoop across Waikato River on the Cliffhanger, an extreme 44-metre-high swing.

8. Visit Huka Falls to witness 220,000 litres of water spill over a 11-metre-high ledge every second. A bridge crosses the chasm, or you can book a jet boat or river cruise to get even closer.

Fly fishing in Lake Taupō

Destination Great Lake Taupō

ABOVE MAIN IMAGE: Taupō © Bare Kiwi