Taupo

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Taupo Regional Information

Taupo is a town with a population of just over 20,000, located on the north-east shores of Lake Taupo in the centre of New Zealand's North Island. Taupo is part of the district of the same name. As a tourist destination, it offers stunning views of Lake Taupo and volcanic mountains to the south, including Mount Ruapehu. Its name is taken from the Maori language and means 'the great cloak of Tia.'

Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater lake in Australasia and provides the setting for many recreational water activities, from kayaking to canoeing, waterskiing, boating and scenic cruises. The more adventuresome may wish to seek the thrills of bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating and whitewater rafting. The lake is also an excellent place to try your hand at fishing for trout, and attracts anglers from throughout New Zealand and the world to fish from the plentiful supply of Rainbow and Brown Trout.

To the north of Taupo are the famous Huka Falls, arguably New Zealand's most visited attraction. An impressive and torrential 200,000 litres of water falls over the cliff each second, forming a thundering waterfall and offering a unique photo opportunity. You can get there by car, in a jet boat, or even on foot from Taupo, along the pathway on the eastern bank of the Waikato River.

Lake Taupo was created by an eruption around 181AD, providing testament to the power of the earth and its geological forces. The area's geothermal activity can be experienced firsthand throughout the region. The Craters of the Moon walk, at Wairakei Park, takes you through an area filled with bubbling mud pools, craters and steam vents. Visitors can also enjoy a soak in the hot springs and thermal pools at a number of locations in the area.

Just south of the lake is the Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's oldest national park and a World Heritage area that boasts three volcanic peaks: Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. The park provides scope for walking, mountaineering and climbing, and snow sports on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu.

Navigate with our great Taupo map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Taupo weather.

For more information on the Lake Taupo district, visit the regional information site.