"Lake Taupo, water, water and more water" Top 5 Page for this destination Lake Taupo by iandsmith

Lake Taupo Travel Guide: 137 reviews and 278 photos

Somewhere......beyond the clouds

I had looked at the maps and had a vision. I had this vision of a snow clad mountain reflected in the water. It would be a photographer's dream. I also realised that said mountain was a long way away, but that didn't matter, it would be magnificient anyway.
I waited for days. In fact, it was the fifth day of our week before we got a worthwhile glimpse.
Despite its distance, the mountain was still impressive, if not reflective, and acted like a magnet to me. I had to go ski it, just to say I'd been there because, in reality, I was as sick as a dog with some virus that had waylaid me on day two and from which I was still recovering.
That's one thing I'll always remember about my trip to Taupo.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Heaps of accommodation, restaurants, nice lake, nice parks
Cons:Very touristy
In a nutshell:I enjoyed my stay when I wasn't sick but a week would do me

Last visit to Lake Taupo: Aug 2007
Intro Updated Mar 2, 2011
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Reviews (15)

The Tongagriro experience Favorites (2)

There's lots of drives to take when you're holidaying in Taupo and my trip to Whakapapa took me past the start of the... more travel advice

An emerging source Favorites (2)

One of the things about Taupo that you never forget is the steam and pipes just to the north west of the town. I can... more travel advice

A standout in a street Restaurants (2)

I'm trying desperately not to name this place but, I have to hand it to them; putting an aeroplane at the front of your... more travel advice

10 minutes after the leader went through - Lake Taupo

Halfway there Sports & Outdoors (1)

There was quite a kerfuffel. People everywhere, some of them running. Actually, most of them were running; the occasion... more travel advice

Things to Do (10)
See All Flying high

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Comments (5)

willy_wonka Mar 2, 2011 at 6:37 PM Report Abuse

hahaha liked your no name mentioned restaurant tip! one thing that strikes me about NZ, coming from brown perth, is how green it is! i would like to get to nz myself one day. nice work ian.
toonsarah Jul 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic photos - beautiful light and wonderful details. I loved "Close up of a fence" in particular. I enjoyed your account of gliding too, including the communications breakdown ;)
TheWanderingCamel Oct 7, 2007 at 10:38 PM Report Abuse

I must get to the North Island one of these days,so far all my NZ travelling has been in the south - think I'l give the skiing a miss though!! Always good to read your adventures, Ian. leyle
deecat Oct 2, 2007 at 4:19 PM Report Abuse

Ian, you certainly are an adveturer! From the [in my estimation] dangerous ski adventure and the "loop de loop" plane ride, you must enjoy danger. Very diversified and educational page which I enjoyed.
Darby2 Sep 18, 2007 at 6:43 PM Report Abuse

Huka Falls can't hold a candle to Helmcken Falls in Wells-Gray Park, British Columbia.