Lake Taupo is in the centre of the North Island and, with a surface of 616 square kilometres, is New Zealand's largest lake by surface area.
This beautiful lake is about the size of Singapore - more of an inland sea really. It was created nearly two thousand years ago by a volcanic eruption so big it darkened the skies in Europe and China. Visit the Craters of the Moon and you'll see evidence of the lake's fiery birth in the geysers, steaming craters and boiling mud pools.
At some of Lake Taupo's beaches, swimmers and paddlers can enjoy warm, geothermal water currents. Other scenic highlights include the magnificent Huka Falls, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder over the cliff face every second, and the Aratiatia Rapids. Across the lake loom the massive volcanoes of Tongariro National Park, just 1-2 hours' drive away.
Taupo is a great lake for water-skiing, sailing and kayaking. The forests surrounding the lake offer hiking and mountain biking to suit all levels of experience. But what Taupo is really known for is fishing. With the largest natural trout fishery in the world, this is the place to cast a line and look for the big one.
There’s a genuinely friendly local culture in Taupo township and the surrounding areas, and accommodation is plentiful. So why not stay a while?
