Find Full Flight Mode
Taupō was made for stepping back and switching off. It’s the kind of place where the constant hum of notifications, emails and social feeds fades fast when there’s something else… like the heavy pull of a fly line.
This isn’t about cutting yourself off completely. It’s about choosing presence over pings, fresh air over feeds and IRL ('in-real-life' - we saved you the Google) moments over the ones that disappear in the algorithm. It’s about switching your phone to Flight Mode - not just for the journey here, but for the entire weekend.
So if you're ready to toggle to Taupō, let us paint the picture for how you can step away, switch off and soak it all in.
A Flight Mode Fishing Weekend on the Water
The best way to disconnect is to get lost in the rhythm of the water. Fishing is all about patience, timing and reading the elements - absolutely nothing to do with push notifications.
Fueled by a morning coffee on the way to a private fishing spot, you arrive just as the mist rises off the water, with nothing ahead but the simple question of where to cast your first line. Get lost in the tactile process of tying a fresh knot or slowly creeping up on a feeding fish, being careful not to spook it.
Step aboard a private fishing charter, where the only alerts come from a bobbing indicator. Let a local guide lead you to secret spots, deep drifts and untouched streams where the trout are plentiful and the distractions are non-existent.
Wade into the Tongariro River, casting into gin-clear currents, where the only thing you’ll check is whether you’ve got the right fly to fool a trophy trout.
Leave your phone in the glovebox and lose track of time. Is it midday? Is it 3 pm? The sun is getting lower, that's all you need to know.
Swap the usual rush for a slow afternoon fish from the shore, followed by a soak in a hidden geothermal pool, letting those important business meetings or busy schedules fade away. Out of office activated.
Writer’s Drift: Fishing Memories
"I still remember the first time I stood knee-deep in the Tongariro, the morning fog rolling off the water like something out of a dream. My phone was back in the car, be.
Hours passed in what felt like minutes, and when I finally clambered out of the river, despite my soggy waders, I felt lighter, as if I'd rebooted my own system!"
Expert Tip: Fish Together, Not Just Side by Side
Fishing doesn’t have to be a solo mission. It can even be a little bit romantic — couples can fish too!
Instead of both having lines in the water at the same time, take turns at casting. One person can spot the fish, read the water and call the shots, while the other focuses on the perfect cast to present the fly. When the moment comes, one hauls in the fish, while the other nets it. It’s more rewarding, more interactive and more memorable.
By the time the weekend ends, you’ll have reset your body clock to nature’s cadence — sunrise, sunset. There's always time for one more cast. You have the last cast, I’ll spot the fish.
Check in: Nature-Based Stays for a Complete Escape
Taupō boasts a range of eco-style retreats, glamping spots and remote lodges where every detail is designed to pull you into nature and away from distraction.
Glamorise your weekend with some ‘glamping’ or eco camping. Think posh camping with all the home comforts, from luscious king-sized beds to scenic open-air showers — perfect for a fully unplugged stay.
There’s something extra special about waking up under canvas, the early morning air crisp, the only sound a tui calling from the trees. No screens, no scrolling — just a slow, quiet start to the day, brewing coffee over an open flame and stepping straight into nature before the world wakes up.
