Taupo & Tongariro Holidays

Where are Taupo & Tongariro?
Lake Taupo is in the middle of the North Island, slightly closer to Auckland than to Wellington; Tongariro National Park lies about an hour by road to the south west. Taupo town is just off the crossroads of two major highways, making it a straightforward inclusion on a self-drive tour. There are also regular flights to Auckland and Wellington from Taupo’s small airport.

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Outdoor adventures from Taupo
If you’re yearning to get your pulse racing or just immerse yourself in some astounding scenery, there’s no shortage of options. On the lake itself, glide by kayak to Mine Bay, whose extraordinary Māori rock carvings can only be seen from the water, or take in its sheer immenseness with a parasailing session or tandem skydive. You could hike along the Waikato River to the turbo-charged Huka Falls or get up close on a jet boat, or maybe challenge yourself with white-water rafting on the Tongariro. If you’re into fly-fishing for trout, it’s regarded as one of the best places in the world to do it, especially on the 30-plus unspoiled rivers and streams that flow into Taupo.

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Wild landscapes of Tongariro
The sprawling World Heritage wilderness of Tongariro is dominated by its three active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu – which have been shaping the terrain for around two million years. It’s mindblowing walking territory, whether you opt for short nature trails on Tongariro’s lower slopes, the epic six-day Round the Mountain track or something in between. As well as providing ever-changing panoramas of the volcanic cones, the paths that crisscross the 200,000-acre protected area lead to emerald-hued lakes, thundering waterfalls and steaming craters that hint at the geothermal power below the ground. Keep a lookout for endangered blue ducks on tumbling streams and brown kiwi in the depths of the alpine beech forests.

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Iconic day hike
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is widely regarded as New Zealand’s best one-day trek, with plenty of challenges – not least the unpredictable weather – but also breathtaking sights along the way. The 12-mile route between Mangatepopo Road and Ketetahi Car Park passes through dramatically raw volcanic landscapes, past ancient and not-so-ancient lava flows, providing spectacular views of red-hued craters and lakes stained vivid blue or green by minerals. Note that you’ll need a moderate to good level of fitness to tackle the crossing, the toughest of whose steep climbs goes by the name of the Devil’s Staircase, along with the appropriate footwear and clothing.

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