Taupo sits in a postcard-perfect setting on the northeastern shores of Lake Taupo. The lake sits in the caldera of a volcano that begun erupting 300,000 years ago. Taupo has become the Queenstown of the North Island with an abundance of adrenalin pumping activities on offer. It is the skydiving capital of the world – their drop zones operate the most tandem skydives each year out of anywhere on the planet!
We had just two days to spend in Taupo, to enjoy some of what it has to offer.
Our time in Taupo began with a kayaking trip on the Waikato River, the longest river in New Zealand. After our hike across the Tongariro Crossing we were all in need of a restful day but it was not to be. Our kayaking trip was organised by Taupo Kayaking. We were doing “The Squeeze”, an 11 kilometre kayak followed by a walk up a hot stream through “The Squeeze”, to a hot waterfall. The kayaking felt like true wilderness with just us and our guide on the mighty Waikato River. As we kayaked downstream we passed a thermal area, Orakei Korako. Here we experienced the hot springs flowing into the river making it hot and steamy close to the bank. It was really strange to put your hand into the river and find that the water was hot!
After about two hours of paddling we arrived at “The Squeeze”. We left our kayaks for a short walk up a hot stream, squeezing our way through narrow lava tunnels, at times waist deep in water. After about fifteen minutes we arrived at a hot waterfall. Here we spent some time bathing in the hot pool and standing under the cascading hot waterfall.
Then it was back through “The Squeeze” and a thirty minute kayak to our finish point. By this time we were all pretty tired and glad of the sandwiches, cakes, fruit and hot tea that awaited us.
The Huka Falls was next on our list. These falls mark where the Waikato River is slammed into a narrow chasm , making a ten metre drop into a surging pool. The Maori call this torrent Hukanui, Great Body of Spray. Great views of this torrent can be had both from the footbridge across the chasm and at the lookout on the other side. Apparently kayakers shoot these rapids and waterfall late in the day. We didn’t see anyone on our visit!
We were staying at the Taupo Top 10 in our trusty camper van. This campsite has a beach style heated swimming pool that shows nightly movies on a big screen. After two such ‘big’ days we spent the evening in the swimming pool, heated to 28C, watching the movie Karate Kid. What an end to another special day.
After a good nights sleep, day two started with a visit to the Volcano Activity Centre where we learned all abut the region’s earthquake and volcanic activity. This included a live seismograph keeping a watch on what’s currently going on! The boys loved the Earthquake Simulator, which bumps and jolts you as in an earthquake of Richter magnitude 6. Here we also watched short movies on the recent Christchurch earthquakes, as well as the eruptions of Mount Ruapehu.
It was then on to the Huka Prawn Park, the world’s only geothermally heated freshwater prawn farm. Our short guided tour taught us about the process of prawn production before we were let lose with fishing rods to see if we could catch any prawns. Catching prawns is a tricky business and takes some patience! Eventually we ended up with eight which were later cooked for us at the on-site restaurant. Before eating we headed out on a fun activity trail based around water and prawns. It was then back to the restaurant for a delightful lunch. The restaurant offers all manner of prawn delights and of course cooks any prawns you may have caught. Ours were delicious although didn’t last very long..!
WHERE WE STAYED
Taupo Top 10 was our home for two nights. This is a fantastic large holiday park with a full range of activities. At the centre is a heated beach style swimming pool with a giant movie screen. It’s very novel to be able to sit in a heated pool while watching a movie, supping a drink from the swim up bar!
