Lake Taupo Travel Guide

Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s crowning glory. Clear blue waters, clean fresh air, eye catching volcanic peaks and lush green landscapes that surround the largest freshwater lake in the country. Lake Taupo covers 606 sq. km. in area and rises 357m above sea level, Lake Taupo has a tremendous history. A huge volcanic explosion in the year 186 AD created the Lake, the explosion and its after effects were felt as far away as China and Italy.

Taupo means the cloak of Tia, the Maori who discovered the lake and slept by it draped in his cloak. The area is still very much active with lots of thermal springs to dip in. The Lake is situated bang in the middle of the North Island in the Central Plateau and the town of Taupo with a population of 19,000 is on the northeast corner of the Lake. The Tongariro National Park with its huge volcanic peaks lies across the town. Now the Lake is the world's trout-fishing capital with some of the world’s largest trout swimming around.

Book in advance before going, especially in the peak summer season.

Though Lake Taupo is the trout fishing capital of the world, it is not possible to actually buy the fish here. If you want to eat it, you got to catch it, take it to the restaurant and get them to cook it for you!