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Introduction: Lake Taupo’s sparkling waters draw fishing and boating enthusiasts from around the world. On crisp clear mornings the distant peaks of the Tongariro National Park beckon, promising outstanding scenery and a myriad of activities. Taupo boasts the largest tandem skydiving drop zone in the world, NZ’s highest water touch at the Waikato River Valley bungy, and 80km of purpose cut mountain biking tracks. Soaring over the peaks on a scenic flight will give a bird’s eye view of this beautiful region. Jet boating in the Lake’s tributaries is sure to provide some thrills, while a network of scenic walks, guided or freedom kayaking trips to the rock carvings at Mine Bay, thermal hot pools, and wilderness horse treks cater for those wishing for a more tranquil experience. Taupo has a fine range of eateries, a comprehensive choice of accommodation, and wide-ranging civic amenities including five first-class golf courses, and the Taupo Museum, where ‘Ora - Garden of Wellbeing’, 100% Pure New Zealand’s gold medal winning entry to the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show, has been reconstructed. With an attractive retail centre and a score of visitor attractions, there’s plenty to do close to town. Further afield, the southern reaches of the Lake are renowned for trout fishing and white water rafting. Beyond, standing like sentinels on the horizon, the peaks of the Tongariro National Park mark the southern extreme of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Here you’ll find the North Island’s two public ski fields, Turoa and Whakapapa, and a choice of walking tracks include the renowned 18.5km Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Taupo Volcanic Zone
Stretching in a northeast/southwesterly direction from the submarine Whakatane Volcano (85km beyond Whakaari/ White Island) to Mt Ruapehu, the Taupo Volcanic Zone is considered to be the southwestern end of the Pacific Rim of Fire. It is approximately 350km long by 50 km wide, and scientific studies indicate that the earth’s crust in this region may be as little as 16km thick. Maori legend has it that fire demons, sent from Hawaiki to save Te Arawa tohunga Ngatoroirangi from freezing on the slopes of Mt Ngaruhoe, surfaced from beneath the ground along the way as they searched for him. Each time they surfaced, great plumes of flame erupted with them. On seeing they still had some way to go, they would plunge underground once more, racing in their efforts to save him. Thus a great underground river of fire was created along their trail, forever connecting Whakaari and Ngaruhoe. The places where the demons surfaced remain visible to this day, still venting the molten pathway below.
