Taupo

Lake Taupo, New Zealand.

Taupo is a quiet bathing resort on the banks of Lake Taupo, situated in the Central Plateau, in the heart of North Island. The area is a zone of intense volcanic activity, even if the most violent eruptions are just a mere memory and date back to over 2, 000 years ago. The volcanoes are however still active, but their destructive force has greatly reduced. In spite of this fact, they are still capable of offering the visitor wonderful, natural displays.

Mt. Ruapehu is among one of the many volcanoes, whose eruptions produce vapour, ash and rock.

Taupo is the main town in the area. Although for centuries the site of Maori tribes and visited for the first time by Europeans in 1840, the obstacles posed by nature, the poverty of the soil and the rigid cold winters, have been responsible for a development rate slower than in other areas of New Zealand.

Only in the last ten years, thanks to an intensive hydro-electricity project, a bettering of agricultural methods and the establishment of an efficient road system, has Taupo seen real and consistent growth. At the same time Taupo has experienced the rewards of such physical and financial investment, growing to become a leading tourist attraction in the area. Today Taupo is the capital of the trout fishing world, thanks to the presence of the largest still-water lake in the Australian hemisphere. The lake is home to trout of extraordinary proportions.

For the thrill-seekers Taupo does not lack the possibility of practising adventure and extreme sports including rafting, bungee jumping, paragliding and tandem skydiving. It is necessary to note that even though the town is of relatively small dimensions, a true public transport system doesn’t exist. Two taxi companies, together with a shuttle service, operate a service between the area’s main sights, at a reasonable price.

Tips for: backpackers • business travelers • luxury/exotic travel • hitchhikers • families • seniors • LBG travelers • pet owners

Attractions

The principle attractions of the area are found outside Taupo. In the town however, apart from the view of the volcanoes, which rise up beyond the lake, it is possible to visit the Regional Museum and Art Gallery, situated in Story Place. The museum, which houses displays detailing the history of the zone, is open every day from 10.30am to 4.30pm. The Spa Dinosaur Valley, is located in Spa Road and is a New Zealand version of Jurassic Park, complete with enormous concrete dinosaurs.

It is possible to visit thermal spas, situated close, including the AC Baths in Spa road, or the Taupo Hot Springs, located along the Taupo- Napier highway, about 1 km from the lake. In these complexes it is possible to enjoy a wide choice of hot water baths, private thermal baths, saunas, and massages and spend a whole day dedicated to your personal well-being. The Spas are open every day from 8am to 9pm.

Maps and transportation

Exploring Taupo

One of the finest and most interesting areas of geothermal activity in New Zealand, is without a doubt, Orakei Korako, situated between Taupo and Rotorua, at a distance of 25 km from the town. The park, famous above all, for its silica terraces, also offers the visitor a host of geysers, boiling mud pools and hot springs. The park houses the Ruatapu Cave, a magnificent natural cave containing a small jade-green lake. It is thought that the ancient Maoris used the water as a mirror when participating in the tribe’s various ceremonies, in which dressing of the hair was an important ritual.

Practical information and resources

Currency : New Zealand dollar

Electric supply: 230V, 50 Hz. Australian round three- pinned plugs are used

Climate : In spite of the fact that Taupo has a temperate climate, the zone is rather windy and cold, when compared with other areas in North Island The summer temperature from November to February varies from 10 °C to 25 °C, in winter from -3 °C to 12 °C. The warmest months are January, February and March, while the coldest are July and August. Language : English

Opening hours : offices are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, while the banks are open from 9am to 4:30pm. The shops are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30 pm and Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm. There is also late night shopping on Thursday or Friday until 9pm.

Telephones : The prefix for Taupo is 07.

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