Taupo is a town on the north eastern shore of Lake Taupo, a large super volcanic caldera known as the Taupo Volcano. This huge volcanic region has produced two of the world’s most violent eruptions in recent times. The Taupo Volcano itself has been inactive for over 1800 years and the area is now a beautiful adventure playground that looks out towards the mountains of the CentralPlateau. Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s largest lake at 622 square km’s and has a staggering number of activities to choose from on and around the lake. From trout fishing to skydiving there really is something for everyone. Not to mention, it’s vast diverse landscape, bush clad mountains, geothermal hot spots, powerful waterfalls and striking volcanic terrain. There were so many things to do here so we had to pick and choose.Here are our highlights:
Orakei Korako – the largest silica terraces in New Zealand.Active geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pools made this an incredible experience as we walked around the natural geothermal park.
Huka Falls – Nearly a quarter of a million litres of water per second erupting from a natural gorge, just downstream from Lake Taupo and thundering 11m into the Waikato River below. We visited the numerous viewing platforms and witnessed the Huka Jet which comes racing up to almost under the falls and spins its passengers around giving them the ultimate thrill.
Aratiatia Rapids – watching thousands of litres of water being released from the Aratiatia Dam creating a spectacular flow of water through a narrow gorge. One minute completely dry, next minute, white water rapids.
Cruise on the lake to see the Maori Rock Carvings – a catamaran ride out across the lake to Mine Bay to see the giant Ngatoroirangi Maori Rock Carvings, a large contemporary Maori art work which can only been accessed by water.
Bike ride around the lake – there are many places to hire bikes and e-bikes and many tracks to use them on. We took a leisurely bike ride on the Great Lake Pathway – Lion’s Walk, which was flat and lovely.
Sky dive (Jemma 16 years ago) – an amazing thrilling experience with great views of the lake.
We saw so many activities on offer and sat one morning having our coffee by the lake watching parasailers, jet-ski’s, doughboat’s, people trying to score a floating hole in one via the novelty golf experience, the seaplane taking off and landing on the lake, sky divers, fishermen, and just the general hub of activity around the town.
CHECK OUT OUR HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR TRIP TO TAUPO IN THE VIDEO BELOW!
