Base yourself on the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, in the centre of a region offering outdoor activities in an unforgettable volcanic landscape.

In the heart of New Zealand’s North Island you’ll find the impressive Lake Taupo alongside a remarkable triad of volcanoes, lynchpins of a varied landscape that offers all manner of activities. Tucked alongside the northern shores of the lake, the town of Taupo is an ideal base for exploring, but further south a scattering of smaller towns offer a laid-back alternative. The Taupo region is crammed with experiences and activities that will fix themselves in your memory: the astonishing sight of 220,000 litres of water per second pouring over the roaring Huka Falls, the awe-inspiring volcanic mountains Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaruhoe jutting out of the barren Central Plateau, and the early morning sunshine sparkling on Lake Taupo as you take a stroll along the shore and sip your morning coffee.

Destination-nz.com highlights

Cast a line and hope the trout are biting in Australasia’s largest freshwater lake – at 616 square kilometres Lake Taupo is as big as Singapore Island. Marvel at the gushing geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud pools of the geothermal wonderland that is Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park – renowned as one of the best thermal areas remaining anywhere in the world. Lose your breath as your jet boat spins 360 degrees at the base of Huka Falls – and you thought this place couldn’t get any wilder!

Notable culture

Catch a lake cruise to see New Zealand’s most striking Maori rock carving – that of the Maori Priest Ngatoroirangi at Mine Bay.

Moment in history

Trout are not native to New Zealand – they were introduced to the Taupo region in 1898 – but they’ve adapted so well that the local Rainbow Trout average 1.8kg and fish up to 3.6kg are not uncommon in winter.

The iconic experience

Feel the wind rushing past you as you skydive from a plane at 9,000 feet and gain a proper appreciation of just how big Lake Taupo really is – more than 170,000 thrill-seekers have experienced tandem skydiving in the Taupo region.

Plan your trip with a detailed map of this region and peruse our suggested travel itinerary. Read More Sights, activities and top picks to make planning easier. Read More