The town has a population of 21,000 yet there is plenty to do! Taupo is famous for Trout Fishing. The lake is well stocked with trout and people come from all over to fish the lake. Taupo is a gorgeous city that has it all! Taupo has the best deal in New Zealand for Skydiving, with one of the packages a 'limo' will pick you up from your accomodation and take you to the airport for the skydiving. Kayla and I saw the 'limo' and in actuality its a stretch Honda Civic! We had a good laugh. Some highlights include thermal parks, volcano hikes, boating, bungy jumping over the Waikato River and Maori culture expierences. From Downtown you can take a short 5 minute walk to the waterfront and see Mt. Ruapehu before you in the distance.
Mt. Ruapehu (rua “pit”, pehu “to explode”) is an active volcano and only one of three in the world to have snow and ice surrounding its crater lake. It has 8 glaciers which are the only glaciers on the North Island. The last major eruption was in 1996 and the last lahar was in March 2007. Despite the danger, Mt. Ruapehu is the largest developed ski area in New Zealand.
To the North East of the City is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It is a 6-8 hr hike through MT. Tongariro, which is also considered an active volcano. However its last eruption was in 1926. Its recommended to hike it from Nov-May, and due to a lack of time I wasnt able to take the hike.
Taupo has a third volcano, Mt. Ngauruhoe. The Maori consider it to be apart of Mt. Tongariro and geologist have confirmed this belief. Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro are part of a line of volcanic activity that stretches across the Pacific Ocean called the Pacific Ring of Fire.
{information taken from www.visitruapehu.com and lonely planet guide book}
I did take a stroll along Lake Taupo and encountered a few friendly birds.
The Australian Black Swan
an albatros
the black billed gull
Paradise Duck
On our way back from the walk, we saw an incredible sunset! Kayla captured it beautifully.
No comments:
Post a Comment