Taupo

Taupo’s unmissable lake is the scenic focal point for fun and relaxation, and during the summer months it becomes a hive of recreational activity. To get an idea of the scale of the lake, it’s very close in size to Singapore. When viewed up close it looks more like an inland sea. It was created nearly 2,000 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption and that legacy lives on today.

Around the lake, the temperate forests offer hiking and mountain biking to suit all types of skill level and style. And just north of Lake Taupo, you’ll find the country’s most visited natural attraction – the roaring Huka Falls, which tumble over a cliff at a rate of more than 58,000 gallons per second.

While Lake Taupo is an excellent spot for water skiing, paraponting, skydiving, sailing and kayaking, this area is arguably best known for outstanding freshwater fishing. Just a 40-minute drive southwest of Taupo you’ll find Turangi; a town with the reputation for being the home of the largest natural trout fishery in the world. Sitting on the west bank of the mighty Tongariro River, this is the place to cast a line and hook that big one.

Turangi is also a handy launching pad for exploring the wild and rugged Tongariro National Park, whether it be walking the famed Tongariro Alpine Crossing track or hitting the slopes at the highly popular Mount Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields.