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Telephone code: 07 www.laketauponz.com www.visitruapehu.com

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Taupo Bungy

42 TraverseTongariro River

Huka Falls

Turoa Ski Area

Lake Taupo

Whakapapa Ski Area

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Taupo

Orakei Korako

HIGHLIGHTS

Exploring a fascinating volcanic terrain while tramping the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (p 308 )

Hurtling to earth from 15,000ft at 200km/h strapped to a complete stranger in the world’s skydiving capital, Taupo (p 291 )

Carving fresh powder at Turoa Ski Area or Whakapapa Ski Area (p 309 )

Biking till your bum burns on the 42 Traverse (p 311 )

Paddling Lake Taupo (p 292 ) to check out the modern Maori carvings

Rediscovering the ‘lost valley’ of Orakei Korako (p 300 )

Rocketing up the Waikato River to the base of Huka Falls (p 298 ) in a jetboat

Plunging 47m over the Waikato River (p 292 ) on the end of a rubber band

Don’t think for a minute that this plateau is some boring old ‘elevated flat landmass’ as per the dictionary definition. For a start, it ain’t flat. In the middle of the plateau, at the heart of Tongariro National Park, are three massive peaks: Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. Then there’s New Zealand’s largest lake, Taupo: a vast, water-filled crater – the legacy of a volcanic blast that shook up the world and shattered the island more than 26,500 years ago. This is all part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, a line of geothermal surfacings that stretches to Whakaari/White Island via Rotorua; and the area is still active, with Mt Ruapehu often having a hissy fit, the last blast occurring in 2007.

And the drama doesn’t stop there, for this area now rivals Rotorua for back-to-nature activities and daredevil escapades. Perhaps you fancy fly-fishing in the world-class Tongariro River, hooning up to Huka Falls in a jetboat, or bouncing on a bungy over the Waikato River? Or this could be your chance to skydive. If rambling’s your thing, there’s always Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of NZ’s most achievable Great Walks, or the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, touted as one of the world’s top one-dayers. Then again, you could wait until winter, when the mountains are dusted with snow: there’s top skiing at Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields.

From river deep to mountain high, and out on the luscious lake, New Zealand’s diverse geology takes centre stage here and my-oh-my does it get its shimmy on.

Taupo & the Central Plateau

287© Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

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Climate Due to its altitude, the Central Plateau has a generally cool climate, with temperatures ranging from around 3°C in winter up to a maximum of around 24°C in summer. Above 2500m there is a small year-round snowfield, while July to October is the skiing season at Whakapapa and Turoa, and in some places

snow can linger on into spring. On the moun-tains, storms and freezing temperatures can occur at any time.

Getting There & Around Air New Zealand (www.airnz.co.nz) has regular flights from Taupo to Auckland and Wellington. The Tranz Scenic Overlander (www.tranzscenic.co.nz)

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(20km)To Napier

(123km)To Wairoa

(5km)To Rotorua

(60km)To Hamilton

(125km)To Stratford

(88km)River Rdvia WhanganuiTo Whanganui

(43km)To Whanganui

North (88km)To Palmerston

Mine Bay

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Rang

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Waikato

Tokoroa

Rotomahana

Galatea

Murupara

Waiotapu

Waimangu

Parekarangi

Golden Springs

Reporoa

Broadlands

Mihi

NgakuruRerewhakaaitu

Atiamuri

Upper Atiamuri

Mokai

Waipapa

Barryville

Pureora Arataki

Mangakino

Whakamaru

Orakei Korako

Benneydale

Te Kuiti

AramataiKopaki

Aratoro

Minginui

Te Pohue

Tarawera

Te Haroto

Kuripapango

Iwitahi

Rangitaiki

Tahorakuri

Flaxmere

Opapa

Otamauri

Taupo

Wairakei

Wharawaka

Waitahanui

Hatepe

Te RangiitaMotuoapa

Kinloch

Acacia Bay

Tangiwai

Whakapapa Village

Tokaanu

Moerangi

Karioi

Tihoi

Rangipo

Turangi

Pungatawa

Pukeokehu

Omatane

Erewhon

Taihape

Mangaweka

Moawhengo

Utiku

WaiouruMangaetoroa

Raetihi

Kaitieke

Ohakune

Horopito

Mokauiti

Tuhua

Mangatupoto

Okahukura

Piriaka

Taumarunui

Te Maire

Mapiu

Ongarue

Kakatahi

MangamahuOtairi

National Park

Waiteti

Mokai

JunctionTohunga

JunctionKuratau

ValleyWaikite

ForestKaingaroa

Hangatiki

StablesRiver Lodge

Butcher's Pool

Conservation Area

Conservation Area

Tongariro Forest

Rangataua

Poukawa

Lake

Ohakuri

Atiamuri

Moawhango

Kuratau

Whakamaru

Maraetai

Waipapa Lake Rerewhakaaitu

Lake Rotomahana

Lake

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LakeLake

Runanga

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Lake TaupoLake

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Ahimanawa Range

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Ripia River

Tutaekuri River

Rangitikei

Taruarau

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Moawhango

Makatote River

Tokoroa Airfield

AirportTaupo

Forest ParkRuahine

Forest ParkWhirinaki

ForestKinleith

Forest ParkKaimanawa

Forest ParkKaimanawa

National ParkTongariro

Forest ParkPureora

Forest ParkPureora

ForestKaingaroa

Mt

(2797m)Mt Ruapehu

(1078m)Mt Hauhungaroa

(1165m)Mt Pureora

(1042m)Titiraupenga

Map (p298)See Taupo & Wairakei

& Around Map (p305)See Tongariro National Park

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CENTRAL PLATEAU 0 30 km0 20 miles

288 TA U P O & T H E C E N T R A L P L AT E A U • • C l i m a t e l o n e l y p l a n e t . c o m