In the summer sit by the lakeside, stroll around Taupo's Waipahihi Botanical Gardens, dive in and cool off, fish, water ski, parasail or paddleboard on the sapphire waters of the great lake. In the winter head south to the country’s largest commercial ski resort, Mt Ruapehu, and get amongst the action on one of the two mammoth ski fields on offer, Whakapapa and Turoa. Hiking, road and mountain biking, fishing, golf, swimming and everything in between are waiting for you around Taupo.

You can appreciate the awesome view of Lake Taupo and its volcano's, forests, and mountains from the air in our famous floatplane, aeroplane or helicopter. The beauty of this volcanic plateau in the central north island is a spectacular landscape, in colour and contours. You may choose to take to the sky for a scenic flight, hunting or fishing or be more adventurous by sky diving, so make sure Taupo is the place you experience it.

The Great Lake Taupo region is part of both the Taupo Volcanic Zone, an area stretching from White Island down to Tongariro National Park and the Thermal Explorer Highway, a meandering route which takes in some of New Zealand’s best geothermal activity. We are home to three impressive volcanoes, including the iconic cone-shaped, Mount Ngauruhoe (or Mount Doom for you Lord of the Rings fans). Add to this spectacular steaming cliffs, geysers, boiling lakes, bubbling mud pools, floating pumice rocks and natural thermal pools perfect for a soak at the end of a long day exploring.

Hire a Lake Taupo fishing charter, take a lake cruise and spend the day relaxing and enjoying the beautiful views of Lake Taupo or take a scenic cruise from Taupo to the Maori Rock Carvings. Those who enjoy fishing should not pass up the opportunity to experience unbeatable trout fishing in Taupo or along the world famous Tongariro River.