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Lake Taupo is a very large body of water in the central region of the North Island. It is the largest lake in New Zealand as per surface area, and seems to go on for days!It is drained by the Waikato River, which is also the longest river in New Zealand, which makes this area very vital to the North Island. Its major town is Taupo (original name we know), and there is a ton more information available online.
The Tongariro NP is New Zealand's first National Park and a World Heritage site with active and extinct volcanoes, spectacular scenery, as well we high cultural and religious significance for the Maori people. I was unlucky with the weather, but the mountains looked amazing even in a cloudy, depressing day.(For LOTR fans: Tongariro NP became Mordor in the film and Mt. Ngauruhoe stood in for Mt Doom)
The Huka Falls are the largest falls on the Waikato River which is one of New Zealand's longest rivers and it drains Lake Taupo - the largest freshwater lake in all of Australasia.The name Huka is the Maori word for 'foam', plenty of that when they are running at their fastest!DON'T MISS THESE FALLS, we thought they were really impressive, a sight to see! The Waikato River, normally up to 100 metres wide, abruptly narrows to just 15 metres as it crosses a hard volcanic ledge. This of course causes a huge volume of water to collide together, forming the spectacular powerful falls and rapids.Every second up to 220,000 litres of water gushes through the gorge and shoots out over 8 metres beyond to a beautful blue/green pool.The water then bursts out of its rapids, and back into the Waikato River.We did the easy riverside walk, there were more great views along here of the falls and rapids...
One of our day trips was to have a look at lake Ohakukri. This lake forms the reservoir for the Ohakuri hydro electric power station and is the largest artificial lake of the Waikato river system. Perhaps a shame that the making of this lake drowned two thirds of the Orakei Korako geothermal area, including two of the world's largest geysers, Minginui Geyser and Orakei Korako Geyser.We stopped at the lakes edge, and viewed the thermal activity on the other side. We didn't take the boat across, weather wasn't good, so decided against it, plus we had already been to quite a few areas. If you do take the boat, it takes you across Lake Ohakuri to the thermal area of Orakei Korako where hot springs, geysers, caves, mud pools and terraces make up the region. It really did look quite good from what we could see!What you should see...............There are 23 active natural geysers and evidently...
On our wanders around Taupo, we came across a Plane at McDonald's. Buy your Macca's, then head into the plane to eat it! Probably an experience that children would love, certainly different!Think Planes & food must be a "New Zealand" thing, this was the second one we saw on our travels.
Mount 'Roo-a -pe-hoo", [ this is how you pronounce it] in Maori translation relates to its volcanic history. Rua = pit and pehu = to explode. At 2 797 metres, Mt Ruapehu is the highest mountain in the North Island, and is an active Volcano.Mt Ruapehu's eight named glaciers are the only glaciers in the North Island and the sacred Crater Lake (on top of the mountain) is one of only three in the world surrounded by snow and ice.Whakapapa Village is New Zealand's highest settlement with permanent residents and is one of the gateways into New Zealand's first National Park. We saw a big Chateau ...."Chateau Tongariro which was built in 1929, reminded us of the Chateau's in Canada.There is cheaper accommodation including camping areas. We couldn't do much here because of the weather, this was a shame.Taupo airport is the nearest airport.
These waterfalls are located in the Tongariro National park.Tawhai Falls is a tiny 5m waterfall that is reached by walking through beech and brown tussock grasslands. The falls tumble over the edge of an ancient lava flow and are situated at the lower elevations of Tongariro National Park.It was only a short 20min walk to them, and because of all the recent rain, they were quite impressive! We didn't see it, but people paddle over these falls, that would be quite a sight!
The craters of the moon area is still active and in expansion: the steam vents and craters are constantly forming and/or changing. There was a set boardwalk that we did, taking you amongst all the craters, steam vents and mud pools. Along the walk there was plenty of interesting information on what we were viewing. The walk is very easy and is about 2.75 km long. The path goes clockwise, follow the path, do not leave it! Close to the end there is a possible extra loop called the Ridge lookout loop; the view from the ridge is nice and you will give you a good picture of the area.Allow approximately 45 minutes to complete the loop and an additional 20 minutes for the upper lookout (this section is steep and stepped in places but the view is well worth the effort ) OPEN...................8.30am - 6pm December - 6th April (end of daylight saving) 8.30am - approx 5.30pm During the winter...
Visit the Rapids, then visit the Power station to see how the energy is harnessed. We found it to be very interesting.The power station was built in 1958, the first of its type in the world.The Wairakei power station is due to be phased out from 2011, replaced by the Te Mihi geothermal power station. The use of steam from the field has had a number of visible effects on the local environment. Visible geothermal activity has increased (due to changes in the water table / water pressure allowing more steam to be created underground, upsurging at places like Craters of the Moon), while there has also been some land subsidence and reduction in steam volumes from the field after some decades of use. So far, total electrical production has been sustained or increasedThe hot geothermal fluid that is extracted is originally cold rainwater that had percolated downwards and been heated by hot...
Located 10ks north of Taupo, the Spill gates from the Dam are opened, and a wall of water rushes through a narrow gorge at 90,000 litres per second. The gates are shut a half hour later, and it turns back into a placid stream. At Aratiatia, the Waikato river falls naturally 28metres in one kilometre. This natural drop has been harnessed for Hydro electric power, the headwaters are diverted to a power station. There are excellent view points on high rocks to see the turbulent water rushing down. The gates are opened 3-4 times daily. 10am, 12, 2 and in summer, 4pm.There is a scenic walking trail between Huka Falls and the Rapids, following the Waikato river, takes approx 4 hours return.FREE!
Huka Lodge Lake Taupo
1 Review and 58 Opinions This luxury lodge is very upscale, private and a favorite of World Leaders and Celebrities. In the...
Bayview Chateau Tongariro Hotel Tongariro National Park
1 Review and 200 Opinions The Grand Chateau sits on the outskirts of Whakapapa village with a backdrop of volcanos. It was...
Bayview Wairakei Resort Taupo (town)
1 Review and 83 Opinions We arrived and were greeted by really nice, professional frontdesk staff and immediately felt...
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