One of the main tourist attractions of New Zealand, the volcanic Lake Taupo offers excellent opportunities for a wide variety of activities from sailing, windsurfing and fishing to skydiving, jet boating and other adventure sports. Lake Taupo is also known for its scenic landscapes and many international sport events being held here.
Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater lake in Oceania, located on the North Island of New Zealand. It is formed into a caldera of a volcano that exploded 1,800 years ago, and there is still volcanic and geothermal activity in the area. The little town of Taupo, located in the northeast corner of the lake, contains most of the tourism services in the area. Lake Taupo is a major tourism destination with over 1.2 million visitors annually.
Volcanic sights. Lake Taupo is a major center of volcanic and geothermal activity, and there are many mud pools, geysers and hot springs suitable for bathing. Some of the popular places in the Taupo Volcanic Zone include Craters of the Moon, the Wairakei Steam Field and the valley of Orakei Korako. The Mount Tauhara volcano is located just 6 km / 4 miles from Taupo. For deeper understanding of the area's geology and geography, visit the Volcanic Activity Centre in Taupo.
Adventure sports like bungee jumping are popular in Taupo, especially in the scenic Hell’s Gate section of Waikato River. An increasing number of international sport events in Lake Taupo are held annually and receive a great number of spectators. You can find many scenic flight operators in Taupo, also known as a skydiving mecca. Skydiving in Lake Taupo is excellent because of its impressive sceneries and wide range of services. Fishing in Lake Taupo is especially good, and the Maori rock carvings along the shores of the lake are also worth seeing. You can explore Maori culture and arts also in Taupo's museums and art gallery.
Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater lake in Oceania, located on the North Island of New Zealand. It is formed into a caldera of a volcano that exploded 1,800 years ago, and there is still volcanic and geothermal activity in the area. The little town of Taupo, located in the northeast corner of the lake, contains most of the tourism services in the area. Lake Taupo is a major tourism destination with over 1.2 million visitors annually.
Sights and activities in Lake Taupo: volcanoes, fishing and adventure sports
Lake Taupo is famous for its great variety of activity and sports opportunities. The lake has many scenic bays and coves, making it a great place for sailing, kayaking and windsurfing. The Waikato River that flows from the lake offers excellent possibilities for rafting and jet boating. It also hosts the most spectacular waterfalls in New Zealand, the Huka Falls. The Aratiatia Dam in Waikato is opened several times a day, producing an impressive recreation of the Aratiatia Rapids.Volcanic sights. Lake Taupo is a major center of volcanic and geothermal activity, and there are many mud pools, geysers and hot springs suitable for bathing. Some of the popular places in the Taupo Volcanic Zone include Craters of the Moon, the Wairakei Steam Field and the valley of Orakei Korako. The Mount Tauhara volcano is located just 6 km / 4 miles from Taupo. For deeper understanding of the area's geology and geography, visit the Volcanic Activity Centre in Taupo.
Adventure sports like bungee jumping are popular in Taupo, especially in the scenic Hell’s Gate section of Waikato River. An increasing number of international sport events in Lake Taupo are held annually and receive a great number of spectators. You can find many scenic flight operators in Taupo, also known as a skydiving mecca. Skydiving in Lake Taupo is excellent because of its impressive sceneries and wide range of services. Fishing in Lake Taupo is especially good, and the Maori rock carvings along the shores of the lake are also worth seeing. You can explore Maori culture and arts also in Taupo's museums and art gallery.
Lake Taupo travel information and practical tips
Traveling to Lake Taupo is easy by road and air.
Photo: Rich Childs, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
The small airport in Taupo receives domestic flights from the main cities in New Zealand, and there are many regular buses to Taupo from most towns and cities in North Island. You can also travel to Taupo by your own car. Rental cars in Lake Taupo area, as well as scooters and bicycles are available in Taupo town. The town itself is small and compact enough to be explored by foot, but a rental car is useful if you want to get to know the surrounding areas a bit better. There are also local shuttle buses from Taupo to all popular tourist attractions in the region.
Climate in Lake Taupo is more continental than in many other places in North Island, as it is situated in an inland area on a high plateau. Lake Taupo has warm, pleasant summers from December to April that are the best time to visit Lake Taupo, and cooler but still temperate winters from June to September.
Visitor services around Lake Taupo are well developed. There is a multitude of accommodation and hotels in Lake Taupo area, concentrated in Taupo town where you can easily find accommodation to suit your taste and budget. Restaurants in Taupo also offer a good variety from fast food to fine dining, and there are many nightlife options in the town. Lake Taupo is a safe, English-speaking destination with no major crime problems. However, it can get very crowded during the main summer holiday season. The occasional volcanic activity may pose some safety problems.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Rotorua, Tauranga
