Holidaying around Lake Taupo is

something my family and I have

been doing since I was a small

child. Dad was a keen fisherman

who would drag me out of bed at 5.30am to

go trolling on the lake. The red cobra was the

best lure to use back in the 1970s and today

is still rated one of the most popular. It is so

rewarding when you catch a good-sized

rainbow trout and smoke it in manuka. The

flavours are tantalising and similar to salmon.

You are spoilt for choice with so many

activities and sights to see. If you are an

adrenalin junky then Taupo offers you sky

diving above the stunning scenery,

parasailing on the lake and the famous Taupo

Bungy above the mighty Waikato River. You

can ride in the high-speed Hukafalls Jet boat

that takes you to the base of Huka Falls or

take a scenic flight in the float plane or in the

Helisika Helicopter.

Taupo and Turangi are geothermal regions,

so it’s great to soak in the mineral hot pools

for health and relaxation. Taupo has De

Brett’s Hot Springs and Wairakei Terraces.

Tokannu Hot Thermal Pools are a few

kilometres North-West of Turangi. Taupo also

has a non-commercial hot pool Otumuheke

Stream, Spa Park. The stream flows into the

mighty Waikato River. The further you are

from the stream, the cooler the water as it

mixes with the cold Waikato River. You can

also take an hour walk each way from Spa

Park along the Waikato River Banks to Huka

Falls. Along the way you will see the

legendary Huka Lodge where many a famous

person has stayed.

Another great walk is climbing Mt

Tauhara, which is 10 minutes out of Taupo.

You don’t need to be an experienced tramper

and it is child-friendly. My children, when

they were 10 and 11, had no problems. It

takes two hours to climb to the summit and

what a majestic view greets you with views

across the lake to the mountains, sprawling

forests and in the far distance east to White

Island off the coast of Whakatane.

New Zealand’s only Prawn Park is 10

minutes north of Taupo, just up the road from

Huka Falls. The Prawn Park offers a

Restaurant on the edge of the beautiful blue

Waikato River where you can watch the

Hukafalls Jet doing spins. The Prawn Park

offers tours, prawn fishing, killer prawn golf,

geothermal foot baths, prawn bikes, the

Gauntlet, trout viewing, feeding and hand

feeding baby prawns.

If you are wanting to experience being out

on the lake then head down to Boat Harbour

on Ferry Road in Taupo as there is a number

of charter boats eager to take you fishing or

to view the famous Maori Rock Carvings

which were carved with traditional techniques

and tell the history and mythology of the

local Ngati Tuwharetoa.

Shopping in the town centre offers

boutique stores with all of the big city

designer labels. Quaint cafes fill the

pedestrian friendly streets. Indulge in the

region’s diverse selection of award winning

restaurants. You won’t find trout on the menu

but most restaurants will be more than happy

to cook your catch of the day. Just let them

know in advance. My personal favourite

restaurant in Taupo is the Brantry located on

Rifle Range Road. In the Turangi region it

would be Tongariro Lodge and at Little Waihi

the Lakehouse Restaurant on the southern

edge of Lake Taupo, where you can watch

Lake TaupoMagicalit is the largest

freshwater lake in Australasia and about the size of

Singapore. melODie Davies

enjoys swimming in the fresh blue lake

against the backdrop of snow-capped volcanic

mountains.

29Travel DigesT, March 2013

TD_Mar2013 17_36.indd 29 18/02/13 4:49 PM

the boats come into the jetty to enjoy a

scrumptious breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Turangi is on the doorstep of the World

Heritage Tongariro National Park which

includes the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the

most popular one day walk in New Zealand.

Enjoy some of the best New Zealand trout

fishing and outdoor activities in the world.

Tongariro Lodge resides on the banks of the

renowned Tongariro River on the southern

shores of Lake Taupo just north of Turangi.

The Tongariro River is New Zealand’s most

famous fly fishing river. The lodge is one of

the world’s supreme fishing lodges and is a

popular corporate retreat for conferences and

weddings. You can wine and dine casually by

reservation at the lodge gourmet restaurant

that specialises in fine wines and New

Zealand game.

When staying in Taupo I like to stay on the

water’s edge to absorb the breath-taking lake

and mountain views. On Lake Terrace I enjoy

staying at The Cove which offers a cosy suite

with a thermal private spa pool plus fantastic

friendly service. Boulevard Waters Motor

Lodge is another great place to stay with

modern suites, in-room spas and full kitchen

facilities.

For hotels, I

recommend

Millennium Hotel &

Resort Manuels,

Wairakei Lodge just

across the road from

the Wairakei

International Golf

Course, or the

newest

accommodation in

Taupo, Hilton Lake

Taupo which offers

sweeping vistas of

the great lake and

the Onekeneke

thermal valley.

Located just out of

town on the Napier /

Taupo Highway next

to DeBretts Hot

Springs and only 15 minutes from Taupo

airport. You can sample Simon Gault’s menu

at the Hilton’s restaurant Bistro Lago and if

you are in the market for an impressive venue

for a grand celebration or corporate event,

then the Hilton can deliver.

For me, the best part of staying at Lake

Taupo is the feeling of freedom. The world

seems to slow down and encourages you to

share the spiritual experiences of what this

beautiful part of the world has to offer. It

always makes me feel free and alive and

rejuvenated – a million miles from the

drudgery of the real world. ✈

Chris Jolly Outdoors crew, with a prize catch of the day – a tasty rainbow trout – in front of Mt Tauhara.

Right on the lakes edge at the Southern end of the lake near Tokaanu. Represents excellent food, service and atmosphere.

Planning a birthday party, anniversary dinner, staff function, family get together, wedding, then come and see Natasha and Francis at Lakeland

House Restaurant. We cater for small private occasions to large celebrations. We will customize a menu to suit your requirements.

This establishment is open 7 days a week, 10.00am – 3pm for lunch and 6.00pm – Late for dinner , or just pop in for a coffee and cake.Bookings essential phone: 07 3866442, 88 Waihi Road Turangi.

taupo

30 March 2013, Travel DigesT30

• AnintimateMotelwith16suites• Eachsuitehasthermalspapool• Friendlypersonalisedservice• Superkingbeds• Cable/SatelliteTV• Businesstravelerswelcome• Diasbledfacilities

Phone 0508 843 2683to check out our Specials213 Lake Terrace, Taupowww.thecove.co.nz

Cosy & Affordable Lakefront Accommodation

TD_Mar2013 17_36.indd 30 18/02/13 4:59 PM