| Taupo is an ideal base to explore the Central
North Island Plateau and makes it the perfect place to unwind
and to take a few easy day trips that will cover most of the
stunning scenery and pure fun New Zealand has to offer.
Lake Taupo is situated on the crossroads
of Thermal Explorer Highway and the Pacific Coast Highway. From
here you can take an easy day trip to Art Deco town - Napier
-, the gannet colonies at Cape Kidnappers and vineyards of Hawkes
bay, or the Maori culture, boiling mud pools and geysers of Rotorua,
the abseiling and black water rafting of Waitomo Caves, or the
dolphin swims, Big Game fishing and whale watching on the Bay
of Plenty coast at Whakatane and Tauranga.
Drive around the famous 'Volcanic Loop' highway
to see Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe or walk the
famous Tongariro Crossing or one of the other volcanic trails
in the Tongariro National Park.
During July and August when the tops are
covered with snow your are able to ski on an active volcano -
Mt Ruapehu is home to the Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields, the
largest in New Zealand.
Regional Attractions (within 2 hours radius
from Taupo)
Day walks in Tongariro National Park:
visitors can enjoy walks ranging from
10 minutes to a full day. Most walks begin within walking distance
or a short drive of Whakapapa Village - 80 minutes drive from
Taupo).
- The Tongariro Crossing: this
one-day, one-way 17 km/11 mile tramp takes seven to eight
hours, going past volcanic features and the beautiful Emerald
Lakes. It begins and ends at different points so visitors
will need to organise transport.
- Ngauruhoe summit: the
walk to the summit is often done in conjunction with the
Tongariro Crossing, but for a more leisurely trip with time
to spend at the top, it is best done separately. The return
trip is 16 km/10 miles and takes six to seven hours.
- Ruapehu crater: the
easiest and safest way to climb to Mt Ruapehu's crater is
to join a guided walk with Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. Over the
summer months and weather permitting, walks leave daily from
the base of Whakapapa skifield at around 9.30am
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