Part #3 Taupo Take 2
Departing Napier we will travel 2 hours to Taupo – our next stop on the NZ North Island Trip of 2023.
Taupō was created nearly two thousand years ago by a volcanic eruption so big it darkened the skies in Europe and China. The resort town of Taupo sits on the edge of New Zealand’s largest lake, which is well stocked with sizeable trout.
The major entertainment on the road from Taupo to Napier is the fantastic scenery. There’s a bit of everything—rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. At Tarawera you can walk to the hot springs, which are above the Waipunga River. You might also want to stop at the Waiarua Falls lookout, to view the twin waterfalls.
Coming from the sleek lines of Art Deco Napier we move to the shabby chic
The house is on the lakefront and a short stroll into town along the waters edge.
Just north of Taupō you’ll find New Zealand’s most visited attraction, the magnificent Huka Falls, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder over the cliff face every second. Not your majestic tall waterfall but quite a natural thing and seeing it just brings home the power of water. Whilst we were there in 2019, two blokes decided to go over the falls in an inflatable lilo, needless to say, it didn’t end well.
The Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river, moves gracefully north from Lake Taupō between banks 100 metres apart. Just before the Huka Falls it enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock. The effect is nature’s large-scale equivalent of a fire hose feeding into a very fine nozzle.
The previously placid waters roar and rumble at great speed along the ravine before bursting out over Huka Falls to crash into the turbulent pool 11 metres below. A foot bridge right at the top of the falls puts you in a prime position to get up close and witness the powerful display of water blasting by.
To follow the build up to the falls you can hike the Spa Park to Huka Falls trail, an easy one hour walk that begins where the river is still tranquil and wide. Passing through exotic and native forests, the track emerges again alongside the river and the roar of the falls grows louder at every turn. Around the falls there are several great vantage points from which to enjoy their full splendour and capture some very impressive photographs.
But what Taupō is really known for is fishing. The town of Turangi has the largest natural trout fishery in the world; this is the place to cast a line and look for the big one.
Or… Visit the Mine Bay Māori rock carvings, in the late 1970s master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell had completed his 10-year training period with Māori elders. He came to his grandmother’s land at Lake Taupō to mark the occasion with a significant carving.
Then there is the Great Lake Trail, skirting the shore of New Zealand’s largest lake, the Great Lake Trail features lush forest and wetlands, waterfalls, beaches and panoramic views from a series of lookouts. It is part of the NZ Cycle Trail and is easily accessed from the resort town of Taupo. The whole ride can be spread over two days, or broken into shorter sections of various lengths and difficulty. Overall, the track is smooth and flowing, but a number of moderate hill climbs make this most suitable for reasonably fit riders, or you can opt for an E-bike to save you the hill climb.
Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary
Imagine the experience of playing golf on a world class championship course, immersed in the natural beauty of a wildlife sanctuary. The predator-free sanctuary offers a safe haven to fallow deer and many birdlife including endangered kiwi & takahē.
When we played here last year they had temporary greens, so we didn’t see it at its best and I think I can safely say that this is the course that we are most looking forward to playing. It just has a Zen feel about it. We have a bit of leisure time if the cycle trails, hikes or fishing doesn’t take your fancy a replay at Wairakei is highly recommended.
Kinloch Club
A world-class championship course that pays homage to the great links courses of the British Isles. Test your skill against challenges designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, one of the games most renowned strategic thinkers, as you take in stunning views overlooking the sparkling blue waters of Lake Taupo.
Hopefully you are just a bit excited. We are…
Wairakei Terraces
The reason you will need to bring your swimmers, John and I loved this place. Basically you are on a volcano with heaps of geothermal activity below you and all the goodness that thrives in these hot natural waters, you get to experience. Because the water is too hot for us to experience, they have built terraces so that it cools as it hits the air. The temperature in the water at the top terrace will be hotter than at the bottom terraces. We will experience this as we relax and recount our fantastic experience at Wairakei Golf Course earlier. We also have massages booked for all.
Tongariro Crossing Walk
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is heralded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is regarded as among the top ten single-day treks in the world.
Many who complete the 19.4 km (12 mile) journey will tell you the climbs can be steep and the weather unpredictable, though worth it in every aspect. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is located in the Tongariro National Park – New Zealand’s oldest national park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tongariro National Park is rich in both cultural identity and dramatic, awe-inspiring natural scenery. Unique landforms, including the volcanic peaks of Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu ensure the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered a world-renowned trek.
John is doing this walk, should anyone want to join him – weather permitting of course.
Or… You relax in our jacuzzi at the house.