The Lake Taupo region has some of New Zealand’s purest, untouched, unspoiled, uncrowded country. The national park was created in 1887 when it’s three big volcanoes, Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, were gifted to New Zealand by the Ngati Tuwharetoa people.

On the western side of the Lake is the Pureora Forest Park. To the east of the Lake, the Kaimanawa Forest Park contains vast ancient beech forests. At the Pureora Forest Park you can walk through ancient rainforest so untouched, some of New Zealand’s rarest flora and fauna still thrive here.

In 186AD, the Lake Taupo volcano erupted in an enormous explosion that ejected about 800 cubic kilometres of earth over the north island, forming a volcanic plateau. Noted by the Chinese, this is believed to be the largest volcanic eruption ever recorded.

The resulting hole in the ground became Lake Taupo after it filled with water draining off the surrounding hills. The lake is the size of Singapore.

Taupo's Record Breaking

• Lake Taupo is the largest fresh water lake in Australasia.
• The 186AD eruption is believed from the largest super-volcano in the world. Taupo's ash has been found in ice cores drilled in Greenland.
• Kaingaroa Forest near Taupo, is the largest man made forest in the world.
• Tongariro National Park was New Zealand’s first national park and a World Heritage Area.
• Mt Ruapehu has the largest ski area in New Zealand with 1,800 hectares of groomed snow.
• Mt Ruapehu is one of the world’s most active volcanoes going off about 60 times since the mid-1940s. It’s closely monitored and most are minor tremors. If the skiing volcanic cones gets your vote, head for this hot winter destination.
• The Waikato is New Zealand’s largest river.
• 
  The Tongariro River at the Southern end of Lake Taupo is one of the best trout rivers in the world; a ‘temple of the sport’ as one overseas magazine raved.

Local Knowledge

With Maori names, the letters ‘wh’ are pronounced like an ‘F’. The ski region on Mt Ruapehu is called Whakapapa. Go on, you’re allowed to giggle like a 13-year-old boy.

Regional Attractions Accessible From Taupo

• 
  Tongariro World Heritage National Park contains three magnificent volcanoes - Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe
• Mt Ruapehu has the award winning Turoa and Whakapapa ski areas on its slopes. Being in volcano country, the region is also famous for its many geothermal attractions.
• Tokaanu township has the ultimate health spa experience; the chance to luxuriate in bubbling, hot natural mineral waters with nothing above you except the stars.
• Wairakei, just minutes north of Taupo, has boiling mud pools, thermal valleys and steaming geysers plus brilliantly coloured silica terraces.
• The Whirinaki rainforest, is where local Maori offer an eco-cultural experience with fully escorted walks, treks and wonderful "manaakitanga" (hospitality).

Best Views

At a slow, steady walking pace, it should take 2 hours to get to the top of Mt Tauhura, on Lake Taupo’s northeastern shore. It is 1088 metres above sea level with the best views over the lake and Taupo town and, on a clear day, over most of the plateau. Take a warm, waterproof jacket as the weather can change quickly.

Best Months

The elevation means things can get cool here. For walking, fishing, mountain biking and other outdoorsy adventures, stick to the warmer months (December to February are the warmest). If it's a ski holiday then July to October are best. If you're into fishing, February and March are best for brown trout, and June to September for rainbow trout, but the Tongariro River has good fishing all year round.

Clothing

Hiking boots, binoculars, ski gear, a handful of dry flies (not dead ones; the ones you catch trout with).

Shopping

At Lake Taupo, there is everything from antiques and arts to designer knitwear and fishing flies. The local shops are many and varied - catering to the local residents as well as the steady stream of travellers. The Lake Taupo Arts Trail is a self-guided tour that will lead to some of the region's finest creative work.

Other Facts

Telephone Area Code: 07
Population: 20,310
Local emergency contact number for all Police, Fire and St John Ambulances: 111

Activities

Day Tours in Taupo

Taupo's activities centre around the volcanoes and lake. It can offer the visitor some great holiday experiences as outlined below:

	Huka Falls Jet Probably more exciting than driving a Formula 1 Race Car, the exhilarating power of the Huka Falls Jet is an experience you will never forget. This would have to be the best 30 minutes of sheer fun you'll spend. Zooming in at water level under the spectacular Huka Falls is a unique experience.
	Helicopter Flights Helicopter is an excellent way to see all of Taupo & the mountains in a very short time. Very experienced and informative flights around Taupo & surrounding scenic routes are available.
	Taupo Trout The Taupo Trout are a legendary size. Anything under 4 pound (1.8kg) is considered a minnow. At the National Trout Centre beside the Tongariro, a new under river viewing room lets you get a trout’s-eye view of the action. Even if you’re a novice, the chances of catching a gleaming, silver trout during your stay are very good.
	And Even More Visitors can sky dive over the lake, four wheel drive on volcanic farm land, peruse constantly active geothermal landscape, learn about local authentic Maori culture and myths, play golf on internationally acclaimed golf courses, enjoy a flight over a world heritage area, ski on an active volcano or even bungy jump over New Zealand’s largest River – the Waikato.

Things to do in Taupo

This list will assist you in accessing attractions and activities that Taupo has to offer.

	Taupo Activities If it’s relaxation and rejuvenation you require, why not soak in a thermal hot spring, try some of the best trout fishing on the globe, take a cruise to the famous Maori Rock carvings at Mine Bay, find a secluded beach or indulge in boutique shopping.
	Huka Falls & Thermal Swimming Hole An easy walk from Taupo along the Waikato River is the impressive Huka Falls. Wear your swimmers under your walking gear as there’s a hot swimming hole just off the walkway fed by a thermal creek.
	Taupo's Hot Water Beach Walk along Taupo’s Lake Terrace about five minutes out of town for Hot Water Beach. It’s not quite as big as the one on the Coromandel Peninsula, but even on the coldest days hot water seeps to the sand’s surface at low tide. Take care though as sometimes it can be really hot.
	Mountain Bike Riding Mountain biking around the lake or in the forests just outside of Taupo should use up some excess energy. Hire a bike get a map of bike trails around the lake and tracks near the geothermal hot steam and mud pools the Craters of the Moon.
	Walking / Tramping People hail the Tongariro Alpine Crossing as one of the best single-day walks in New Zealand. But it’s not easy and you have to be in good condition. The weather can change rapidly, so make sure you’re fully equipped and always tell someone where you’re going and when you intend to be back. The DOC (Department of Conservation) office in Whakapapa Village has maps and brochures and displays current weather conditions. For the less-serious walker, there are some good, short walks from Whakapapa, including a two-hour ramble to Taranaki Falls.

Activities Outside Taupo

These activities are available around Taupo.

	Mokai Gravity Canyon The Flying Fox If Bungy is a bit much, then try the most extreme Flying Fox in the world... And you can choose to swing with a friend or two... So imagine being launched from a ledge 175 metres above a river canyon before swinging down a 1 kilometre zip line at speeds up to 160KPH !!!
	Mokai Gravity Canyon The Swing The big question is "To Fox, or To Swing??". And the sweet answer is "Swing First" then "Fox as a 'Grand Finale'". The Swing is the newest activity, consisting of a giant bridge swing, with a mind-blowing 50-metre free-fall from the Mokai Bridge before arching into a massive swing through the canyon below. Swingers can go solo or in tandem with a friend, so who has excuses ??
	Mokai Gravity Canyon The Bungy The most daring of us take 'The Bungy'. This Bungy jump is the highest bungy off a bridge in all of New Zealand at 80 metres... Also, one of the best things about this Bungy is that you can go solo OR test the strength of a friendship with a tandem leap. How very romantic!
	Mokai Gravity Canyon The Chair If Bungy and the Flying Fox are a bit much, then try 'The Chair'... And you can choose to swing with a friend... So imagine sitting on a specially built chair and being dropped 80 metres into a river canyon below.
	Wairakei Terraces See a replica Maori village, treasured Maori carvings, indigenous cultural performances and enjoy a traditional hangi feast.

Diary of Events in the Taupo Region

Coach Tours Which Include Taupo

The following fully escorted coach tours are our top 3 which include Taupo.

Best of New Zealand Fully escorted coach touring to see New Zealand's many seasons from cruising the rugged rocky coastline, Bay of Islands beaches, Maori native culture, glow-worm caves, Rotorua's geysers & hot mud pools, NZ's capital city, Interislander Cruise, fur seals & optional whale watching flight, touring past NZ's highest mountain, alpine scenic lakes, ski capital Queenstown, a tour of an historic castle, cruising on Fiordland past waterfalls & rock seals in Milford Sound, staying near icy glaciers and garden city Christchurch- all in 17 days.

North & South Island Tour Auckland to Christchurch In 11 days from Auckland to Christchurch, via the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Kaianua, Napier, Wellington, Blenheim and Kaikoura, accompanied by your guide, this coach tour covers most of New Zealand. Enjoy special city tours all the major centres. Cruise out to natural phenomena of 'Hole in the Rock', spotting dolphin pods along the way. Cruise on the Interislander. Visit Banner's Theatre, a winery for tasting's, a working Dairy Farm. At Rotorua get down amongst the mud pools, see sky high geysers, Paradise Valley Springs, a sheep shearing demonstration and the Skyline Gondola & Luge. Enjoy the scenery including Huka Falls. Also visit the Kauri Museum, Waitangi Treaty Grounds and a car museum.

Ultimate New Zealand Departing Auckland for Christchurch, this 20 day fully escorted guided coach tour includes a refreshing 3 day trek along Greenstone Valley for untouched, stunning scenery. Reward for this effort is a special overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner as it navigates to the hidden Fiordland chasms. City tours of Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Dunedin & Christchurch orientate with style, whilst natural attractions like Rotorua's geysers and hot mud, Huka Falls, Mt Cook and the stunning West Coast Glaciers are sure to impress. A Maori Hangi, a Scottish Haggis, a winery visit, dinner at the Skyline Restaurant in Queenstown and working fruit orchards will satisfy the gourmets.

Films Made in this Region

In Taupo - Without a Paddle 2004, and Sons for the Return Home 1979. In Tongariro - Willow 1988, Wild Horses 1984, Strata 1983 and Utu 1983. In Mt Ruapehu - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2003, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 2002, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001, and The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey 1988.

Eating & Sleeping

Regional Specialties & Cuisine

Taupo enjoys delectable cuisine at one of the many restaurants and cafes or cocktails at one of the groovy lounge bars.

Unique to Lake Taupo is freshwater prawn, but grown at the world’s only geothermally heated prawn farm near Huka Falls.

The lake is also a magnet for trout fishermen, and trout are a predominant force on most menus here. Some of the local guides who operate charter boats on the Lake actually guarantee you’ll catch a trout. And you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten fresh manuka-smoked Rainbow-on-rye.

For a further fascinating insight into the customs and history of the Tuwharetoa people, visit Wairakei Terraces where you can see a replica Maori village, treasured Maori carvings, indigenous cultural performances and enjoy a traditional hangi feast. The region supports excellent lamb and beef.

Accommodation