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Lake Taupo, New Zealand
At the heart of New Zealand’s central volcanic plateau sits the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, Lake Taupo. This huge, shining expanse of water, moving between aquamarine blue and jade green, is crystal-clear to a depth of 13 metres. It is home to one of the best wild trout fisheries in the world, more than 30 species of water bird, several types of native fish and native koura (crayfish).
Most days, the lake is beautifully calm, but its creation was one of the most spectacularly violent natural events in history. The gigantic Oruanui eruption, 27,000 years ago, shot volcanic debris 50km into the air, covered the North Island in a thick layer of volcanic ash, and created the caldera that is now the lake.
You can enjoy fishing charters, scenic boat tours, waterskiing, kayaking, paddle-boarding and the extraordinary Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay. The Great Lake Trails, which are part of Nga Haerenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trails network, run around the shoreline.
In the mornings Lake Taupo can be shrouded in mist, which usually rolls back by midday to reveal the sparkling waters beneath. The surface of the lake is often dotted with pale balls of pumice, a volcanic rock so light it floats on water.
Things to do in Lake Taupo
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Lake Taupo map
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Scenic attractions
Tongariro River
Flowing north from the snow-clad peaks of Tongariro National Park, through the picturesque town of Turangi, the pristine Tongariro River is one of the world’s best places to catch trout.
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Scenic attractions
Waikato River
Born on the eastern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, the longest river in New Zealand drains Lake Taupo through Taupo town, blasts through a narrow rock chasm to create the Huka Falls, then winds more peacefully northwards towards Port Waikato, south of Auckland.
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Scenic attractions
Huka Falls
At Huka Falls nearly a quarter of a million litres of water per second erupts from a natural gorge and thunders 11m into the Waikato River below.
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Scenic attractions
Tongariro National Park
A diverse and awe-inspiring landscape born from volcanic eruptions and carved by ice age glaciers, Tongariro National Park is a place of natural wonders and spiritual significance.
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