Taupo

Situated near the centre of North Island, Taupo is perched on the banks of Lake Taupo, which sits on the caldera of the Taupo volcano. The lake sits inside a crater created by a massive volcanic eruption that was so large that the amount of ash released into the air caused the skies in Europe and China to darken and lowered the global temperatures. 

The most-visited tourist attraction in New Zealand is the Huka Falls in Waikato located just north of Taupo. This massive lake is around the size of Singapore and is perfect for boat cruises that go around the lake. The lake also offers plenty of opportunities for fishing as well. Taupo is a world-famous fishing destination and is home to the largest natural trout fishery in the world. Taupo also opens up into Tongariro National Park and opens the door to New Zealand’s most popular day walk. Taupo is also a great destination for adventure sports like kayaking, mountain biking, and diving.

The geothermal activity here also gives rise to steaming hot springs, hot mud pools, and geysers, all of which point to the origins of the crater and its surrounding area. In particular, the ‘Orakei Korako’, which translates to the ‘Place of Adorning’, is a huge geothermal park and offers stunning views with a myriad of colours that reflect the geothermal properties. The natural phenomena also feature something known as the Moon's Craters.