LAKE TAUPÖ - Lake Taupo

TAUPÖ
ignite your senses
GREAT LAKE TAUPÖ OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE 2012
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THE LOCALS LOVE THIS PLACE BECAUSE OF ITS
RELAXED PACE OF LIFE AND THE WIDE RANGE OF
ACTIVITIES ON OFFER.
Taupö is a vibrant community with a bustling café and
restaurant scene, and varied nightlife. The boutique
nature of the shopping area and ongoing calendar of
events makes this a destination to suit all visitors.
The outdoor lifestyle is second to none here with easy
access to the bush, lake and mountains. Time away
is about enjoying the simple things in life and Taupö
certainly delivers on this.
TAUPÖ MUST DO'S
• Take a ride on the iconic Lions Train – no family
holiday in Taupö is complete without taking the little
ones on the train based on the Tongariro South
Domain. Operates holidays and weekends.
• Get out on the lake and catch a trout – you’d be crazy
to come to Taupö and not get out on the lake. Contact
the i-SITE Visitor Information Centre or see pages 42-44
for details on scenic cruises to the unique Maori Rock
Carvings and fishing options.
• Fish and chips on the lakefront – Eat alfresco, just like
a local. Take in the spectacular views while watching
the sun sink behind the mountains.
• Visit two of the best vantage points along the
Waikato River, Lake Taupö’s only water outlet and
the longest river in New Zealand, for some serious fastmoving
water action. The Huka Falls are the country’s
most visited natural attraction, and can be visited by
car, foot, bike, jet boat, riverboat or helicopter,
accessed off SH1. The Aratiatia Rapids are a unique
experience - watch as the dam opens daily at 10am,
12pm, 2pm & 4pm - summer, and 10am, 12pm and
4pm – winter. Some must do ‘rapid action’. Situated a
short distance off SH5.
• Soak in a thermal hot pool – Choose from one of
Taupö’s mineral water pool and aquatic facilities, where
you can experience the benefits of the mineral waters;
or stay at one of our many accommodation providers
who have their own thermal hot pools.
• One of the best ways to see the region is from the
air – take a scenic flight from Taupö and get a unique
perspective on the mountains of the Tongariro National
Park, the Kaimanawa Ranges, and beautiful Lake Taupö.
• Gardens galore – visit some of the beautiful public
parks and gardens open in the district, such as the
Botanical Gardens and the Rose Garden. For location
information ask at the local i-SITEs.
• Lake Taupö is the site of the world’s largest eruption
in the last 5,000 years. The results of its earth
shattering creation can be seen everywhere with active
volcanoes, spectacular steaming cliffs, geysers, boiling
lakes, bubbling mud pools and floating rocks called
pumice. Visit the Craters of the Moon or one of the
other significant geothermal sites in this region and
the Volcanic Activity Centre, to learn more about our
fascinating area.
• Tee off in Taupö – the Taupö region is blessed with
seven golf courses in close proximity, from a nine hole
resort course to the world class Wairakei International
Golf Course. Enough to keep keen golfers active for
at least a week.
• Enjoy the many walking and mountain biking tracks
this region has to offer, suitable for all ages and
fitness levels. Trail maps are available at the local
i-SITEs.
TAUPÖ IGNITE YOUR SENSES
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