Top Taupo Outdoor Adventures: Explore, Discover, and Thrive
Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s biggest lake, so offers a pretty spectacular playground for pretty much any outdoor enthusiast, and that’s very true. From the shimmering waters to the pretty rough volcanic landscapes surrounding it, you, like your typical explorer, are seriously spoiled for activities. Ready to get out there and very fully experience what Taupo can offer you? This is a list of a few adventures you absolutely can’t skip, packed with both thrills and unforgettable experiences.
Sailing the vast Lake Taupo
Seriously, let’s start off on the waters of the lake, right? A pretty peaceful sailing experience on Lake Taupo just, actually, can’t be beat, you know? So, with the prevailing breeze in your sails, you will get to seriously take in the expansive views in seriously every direction. You might even get to try your hand at crewing or, basically, take the helm, it depends on the kind of tour you end up going with, alright?
There is the chance to visit the famous Maori Rock Carvings, you know? Like your average ancient art enthusiast, that would almost absolutely blow your socks off. Towering about 14 meters above the lake, that’s a sight you really will remember. It’s also a perfect way to hear about the history and culture of the region. Is that a good combo or what? I mean, seriously! The cruises basically provide different options. Some provide drinks and lunch, or it may depend on what you are looking for.
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Hiking Tongariro National Park
Now, should we leave the water for a bit and make tracks for Tongariro National Park? Good! You really are in for a visual treat. The park itself has very different volcanic peaks, like Mt. Ngauruhoe that played Mount Doom in “The Lord of the Rings.” Pretty cool trivia to casually drop to, like your tour group or your partner, basically. There are various trails there, depending on ability and inclination. So what about something short and relatively straightforward, like the Taranaki Falls track that leads past very lovely waterfalls in, basically, under a couple of hours, right?
There’s, of course, that famed Tongariro Alpine Crossing – a full day hike. Though a bit intense, it’s, like, rated as one of the world’s best day treks, which sounds interesting, that is. Seriously, get to walk across a volcanic landscape dotted with striking crater lakes, I mean, could it get much better? Even though it can sometimes test, like, even experienced hikers, the unreal views really, totally make it worth the effort and sweat.
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Whitewater Rafting on the Tongariro River
Time to add an, like, a bit of adrenaline to the list. Not far from Lake Taupo, alright, is the Tongariro River, a very fantastic place for, like, whitewater rafting. In a way, even if you, basically, never touched a paddle, loads of different rafting outfits offer experiences that fit almost all levels.
Get, like, ready for pretty intense rapids that might get the blood flowing, alright, but there’s more: That same river winds its way through the untouched scenery that will, honestly, pretty much blow you away, alright. Honestly, very professionally-led trips make certain you’re both safe and soaking in pretty spectacular views the entire time, so that is pretty comforting to hear!
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Exploring Huka Falls
Oh, just a little outside Taupo are those fairly famous Huka Falls, they are a really breathtaking sight to see and, too, they’re just super accessible. It’s that volume of water that seriously astounds people, very seriously. You can watch this pretty powerful display from several viewpoints and, I mean, that might be it. So for an even better, or really amazing, perspective, you might wanna think about taking a jet boat ride that just about goes right up to the bottom of the falls. What an amazing story that would make! So get your cameras really ready, ’cause that mist coming off is actually just unreal!
It’s really hard not to have an pretty enjoyable moment. There are places to go for walks there too and it could be a fantastic break if you’ve been actually engaging in lots of extreme experiences. It’s nearly hard to see this level of natural force, but it actually is actually in nature, so what? The lookout is absolutely free and there actually also lots of car parking area, like your standard park. As I was saying, a tour is pretty necessary if you want to get closer, alright, the actual jet boats go surprisingly close to the falls – almost dangerously close!
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Mountain Biking in the Craters of the Moon
So fancy going mountain biking through a geo-thermally active landscape? You really should. The Craters of the Moon pretty near Taupo seriously offer a unique riding adventure and you’ll, you know, cycle through trails that wind you right through steaming vents, bubbling mud pools and very impressive crater formations, or just average trails. It’s just out of this the world. Anyway the cycling itself varies in, um, intensity which might really mean a leisurely pedal through or, maybe you fancy getting gnarly? I do.
Rentals and stuff is available from most local spots in Taupo and loads supply gear too, right. Oh, be prepared for very awesome sights that contrast against the geothermal action there. Honestly that pretty dramatic combo actually has people very amazed with how good, I mean, awesome mother earth actually is. Keep an eye on the weather too, eh?
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