Top Lake Taupo scenic highlights
Lake Taupo has scenery on the grandest scale - the mountains and lake dominate
the landscape, changing their colour palate subtly as the seasons slide by.
Selected highlights at a glance
Lake Taupo - a volcanic crater as big as Singapore
Just about everywhere you look in the Lake Taupo region, you'll see a volcano.
The most serene is Lake Taupo itself, created by an eruption so big the sun went
hazy in China. Hot spots still exist where warm water oozes to the surface at
the lake's edge.
At 616 square kilometres, Lake Taupo is the largest fresh water lake in Australasia
with water so clean a few zillion trout call it home. All year round, the lake
is a focus for water activities - water-skiing, parasailing, jet skiing, fishing,
cruising, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and float-plane landings. There
are 47 rivers and streams feeding into Lake Taupo and just one outlet - the Waikato
River, New Zealand's longest river. Taupo township is located right on the edge
of the lake, with many hotels offering views across to the snow-capped volcanoes
of Tongariro National Park.
The thundering waters of Huka Falls
New Zealand's most visited natural attraction, Huka Falls provides a fantastic
photo opportunity - more than 220,000 litres of water tumble over the cliff face
every second. Located in Wairakei Park, just 5 minutes drive north of Lake Taupo
or a half hour riverside walk, the waterfall can be seen from several viewing
platforms.
Craters of the Moon - feel the heat!
This is a walk with a difference. Named for its other-worldly atmosphere, the
Craters of the Moon thermal area in Wairakei Park sprang up in the 1950s, when
the nearby power station lowered underground water levels. The 30 minute walk
visits bubbling craters, mud pools and steam vents. You can also see a lot of
interesting plants that have adapted to thrive in the hot, steamy conditions.
Enjoy this fantastic geothermal area free of charge along well-formed pathways
with elevated viewing platforms.
Volcanic 'Mount Doom'
The Tongariro National Park World Heritage Area at the southern end of Lake Taupo
isn't just legendary for its dramatic and eerie scenery. What makes the area especially
unique is its accessibility - you can ski on an active volcano or take a one-day
hike from alpine meadow to mountain summit, with stunning volcanic landscapes
along the way. Thanks to a geologically turbulent past, the area provided the
Lord of the Rings crew with the raw material they needed to create mystical Middle-earth,
including Mordor, Emyn Muil, Mount Doom and the Plains of Gorgoroth.
Fast water entertainment at Aratiatia Rapids
Every day at 10am, noon and 2pm (in summer, 4pm is added to the list) the spillway
is opened at the Aratiatia Dam. At a rate of 90,000 litres per second, water rushes
down the Aratiatia Rapids. The rapids are located on the Waikato River, just 10
minutes drive from Taupo township on State Highway 5 towards Rotorua.
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Seasonal Tips
DURING YOUR VISIT
Spring is an excellent time to hike the trails around Tongariro National Park. Pack enough food and clothing for a whole day and embark on the famous Tongariro Crossing – regarded by many to be New Zealand’s finest one day walk. Other short walks can be found near Turangi – hike along the banks of the Tongariro River or walk to mystical Lake Rotopounamu. Near Taupo, you can stroll along the Great Lake Walkway or follow the Waikato River to Huka Falls.
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