Top Lake Taupo scenic highlights

Top Lake Taupo scenic highlights

Huka Falls

The Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, moves gracefully north from Lake Taupo between banks 100 metres apart. Just before the Huka Falls it enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock. The effect is nature's large-scale equivalent of a fire hose feeding into a very fine nozzle. The previously placid waters roar and rumble at great speed along the ravine before bursting into space out over Huka Falls to crash into the turbulent pool 11 metres below. A foot bridge right at the top of the falls puts you in a prime position to get up close and witness the frightening display of more than 220,000 litres of water blasting by every second.To follow the build up to the falls you can hike the Spa Park to Huka Falls trail, an easy one hour walk that begins where the river is still lazy and wide. Passing through exotic and native forests, the track emerges again alongside the river and the roar of the falls grows louder at every turn. Around the falls there are several great vantage points from which to enjoy their full splendour and capture some very impressive photographs.The Huka Falls car park is about 1.6 kilometres north of Taupo. A bus from Taupo passes several times a day on a circuit of the local attractions.

Lake Taupo

This beautiful lake is about the size of Singapore - more of an inland sea really. It was created nearly two thousand years ago by a volcanic eruption so big it darkened the skies as far away as Europe and China.The lake's volcanic origins are still evident today, from steam vents and warm water currents at the beaches to the ever-present views of the massive volcanoes in adjacent Tongariro National Park. There are several active geothermal areas to visit, where the earth hisses steam and mud boils in pools.With 47 rivers and streams flowing into the lake, this area is renowned for trout fishing and kayaking. The Waikato River is the only river flowing out of the lake - at 425 kilometres in length it's New Zealand's largest natural waterway. For all New Zealanders, the Waikato River has always been a great provider - from fish, eel and freshwater lobster, to drinking water, irrigation and hydro-electric power.The forests surrounding Lake Taupo offer hiking and mountain biking adventures to suit all levels of experience.The resort town of Taupo, on the northern shore of the lake, is a skilled and experienced host. There's a large visitor information centre ready to help you get the most from your visit.

Mine Bay Rock Carving

In the late 1970s master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell had completed his 10-year training period with Maori elders. He came to his mother's land at Lake Taupo to mark the occasion with a significant carving.On a boat trip around the Western Bays he saw the cliffs at Mine Bay and recognised the opportunity to use them as a canvas for his work. Matahi decided to carve a likeness of Ngatoroirangi, a visionary Maori navigator who guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupo area over a thousand years ago. In recognition of the cross-cultural nature of New Zealand, Matahi also carved two smaller figures of Celtic design, which depict the south wind and a mermaid.The main carving is over 10 metres high and took four summers to complete. The artwork is Matahi's gift to Taupo. He and four assistants took no payment other than small change donations from local bar patrons to cover the cost of the scaffolding.The carving has become an important cultural attraction for the region and a clear demonstration that traditional Maori knowledge and skills continue to be passed from generation to generation.The Mine Bay rock carvings can only be reached by boat and are best viewed up close from a kayak.

Kaimanawa Forest Park

East of Tongariro National Park, the Kaimanawa Forest Park is a large area of ancient native forests, shrublands and tussock grasslands.Popular for hunting, fishing and overnight treks for experienced hikers, the park also offers shorter walks and picnic areas for day visits and short-term campers.There are several easy walks off Kaimanawa Road, 15 kilometres south of Turangi on State Highway 1. The Pillars of Hercules walk (10 minutes return) climbs steep steps to a spectacular gorge - the powerful Tongariro River passes through this narrow chasm. The viewing bridge offers views of Mount Urchin and sometimes a glimpse of the rare native whio (blue duck) upstream.The Kaimanawa Forest Road Walk, a 20-minute loop track, leaves from the Urchin camping area. This pleasant walk through native forest is known for the variety of native trees it offers within such a small area.The Tree Trunk Gorge track also leaves from the Urchin camping area and is the only off-road track open to mountain bikers. The track ends at Tree Trunk Gorge Road, which is off State Highway 1.There are several other walking tracks located off Kiko Road in the northwest of the park and Clements Mill Road in the north.

Top Rotorua scenic highlights

Top Rotorua scenic highlights

Lake Rotorua

This beautifully peaceful lake has a violent history. One of several large volcanoes in the Rotorua region, its underlying magma chamber collapsed after a massive eruption around 200,000 years ago. The collapse created a circular caldera about 16 kilometres wide, which filled with water to form the North Island's second largest lake.Geothermal activity continues below and around Lake Rotorua. Clouds of steam drift around the shore and the water has a high sulphur content, resulting in a magical green-blue colouration. Mokoia Island, in the centre of the lake, is a rhyolite dome formed by slowly oozing lava. This island was the setting for one of New Zealand's greatest love stories - the tale of Hinemoa and Tutanekai. The beautiful maiden Hinemoa was the daughter of an influential chief. She lived on the eastern shores of Lake Rotorua and was regarded puhi (sacred), which meant that her tribe would choose her husband. Many suitors came seeking her hand, but none met the approval of her tribe. On Mokoia Island lived a family of several brothers including Tutanekai, the youngest. At a tribal gathering, where young warriors practiced their fighting skills, Tutanekai saw Hinemoa and fell in love. Tutanekai's weaponry prowess and good looks caught Hinemoa's eye, and she too was smitten. However, neither could see a future together - Tutanekai was considered too lowly born to wed Hinemoa. Poor, sad Tutanekai would sit on the shores of the island playing sorrowful music on his flute. The music would waft across the lake to where Hinemoa waited forlornly. Aware of what was going on, Hinemoa's people made a practice of pulling the tribe's heavy canoes all the way up the beach. But they didn't count on Hinemoa's ingenuity.One night Hinemoa fashioned a life-belt from empty gourds and swam towards the sound of Tutanekai's flute. She finally made it to Mokoia Island and headed straight for the island's hot pool, Waikimihia, to recover from her cold swim. While she was warming herself, Tutanekai's slave came down to the pool to fetch water. In a gruff voice, Hinemoa called ‘Mo wai te wai?’ (For whom is the water?). The slave answered ‘Mo Tutanekai’ (For Tutanekai). Hinemoa grabbed the calabash he was carrying and smashed it on the side of the pool. When the slave returned to Tutanekai and told him what had happened, Tutanekai went to investigate. The two lovers were at last united, and Hinemoa's tribe accepted Tutanekai as her husband. A very happy ending. Today the history and natural beauty of Mokoia Island can be explored on a guided tour. Visitors can also enjoy a soak in Waikimihia (now known as Hinemoa's Pool), on the south eastern side of the island.

Whakarewarewa Forest

Just five minutes south from downtown Rotorua, a beautiful forest awaits your exploration. It was established in 1901 as an experiment to test the suitability of different native and exotic forest species for commercial planting. The management of this forest has included deliberate strategies to welcome recreational users.In an area of the forest known as The Triangle, there is a mountain bike park with two circuits, a BMX track and a labyrinth of custom-made single tracks ranging from easy to terrifying. Created in partnership with experienced mountain bikers, the trails have names like Check It Out, Gunna Gotta, North Face, The Tickler and Be Rude Not To. Bikes can be hired in town and guided tours of the trails are also available.With tracks this good, the bikers are not tempted to stray onto the many hiking and running trails, so everyone gets space to enjoy this magnificent forest in their own favourite way. Perhaps the most famous area is the grove of giant coastal Californian redwoods. This is such an impressive feature that the park is often referred to simply as 'the Redwood Forest'.

Government Gardens

Originally known as Paepaekumana, the Government Gardens are situated on the lake's edge in downtown Rotorua. This site is of legendary and historical importance to local Maori people, for here many significant battles have taken place.In the late 1800s, the Maori people gifted 50 acres of this land to the crown "for the benefit of the people of the world". The land was a scrub-covered geothermal area with several therapeutic pools. The scrub was cleared and formal gardens planted. Several large trees remain from those early days, including multi-trunked Japanese firs and an unusual Californian weeping redwood.Realising the opportunity to create a South Pacific spa attraction, in 1908 the New Zealand government opened a large and elaborate bath house, built in the Elizabethan Tudor style of architecture. Today this magnificent building houses a museum and an award-winning exhibition on the days when people came from all over the world to 'take the waters'.In the early 1930s a second building, the Blue Baths, was constructed in an ornate Mediterranean style. These were among the first baths in the world to allow both males and females in the same pool. Rather than medicinal, the purpose of the Blue Baths was fun - a chance to socialise in the style of Hollywood movie stars. Fully restored to their original glory, the Blue Baths offer you the chance to relax in heated waters in an architecturally stunning setting.

Ohinemutu

Ohinemutu was the region's original Ngati Whakaue settlement. The location was chosen for its lakeside setting and abundant geothermal energy for cooking, bathing and heating. In pre-European times, Ohinemutu was the main centre for the Lake Rotorua region - visitors and food arrived at this bustling settlement before going on to the surrounding villages.Today Ohinemutu is a suburb of Rotorua city, but the village retains a sense of importance. Standing on the forecourt of the marae, as steam rises through the pavers from the earth below, you can feel the spirit of this significant place. The carving on the large meeting house is exquisite and highlighted by hundreds of inlaid shiny paua shells. Towards the lake's edge is the magnificently decorated Saint Faiths church. Inside the church, Maori carvings and woven panels add a unique dimension to the European Tudor-style architecture. The quality of this century-old artistry leaves you in no doubt of the importance of this building to Maori people. A memorable feature is a window etched with the image of Jesus clad in a Maori cloak - he appears to walk towards you across the surface of the lake.At Ohinemutu you can see how the Maori and European cultures have collaborated. Visitors are welcome to explore the area on foot, taking care to treat sacred places with respect.

Geothermal activity

New Zealand straddles an active fault line where two giant pieces of the earth's suface are in a constant state of collision. In the South Island they meet and push upwards, creating the towering Southern Alps; around the central North Island, one piece is creeping slowly under the other, generating enormous amounts of subterranean heat and volcanic activity.All around Rotorua, sneaky threads of steam drift upward from parks, river banks and drains. The unmistakeable scent of sulphur wafts through the air. Minutes from the city centre, geysers of boiling water roar from the ground and pools of bubbling mud gurgle and belch.Geothermal and volcanic activity have sculpted the landscape in every direction. The many beautiful lakes are water-filled craters from violently explosive eruptions. Giant sleeping volcanoes rise all around and gently oozing lava has created conical hills and islands. Silica terraces and the edges of ponds have been beautifully coloured by minerals extracted from deep inside the earth by the rising superheated water and steam.Since the arrival of the first Maori settlers, people have harnessed this vast renewable energy source for cooking, heating and, more recently, electric power production. You'll discover that a relaxing soak in naturally heated water is the perfect end to a day of geothermal exploration.

THE MOST POPULAR PLACES IN NEWZEALAND

THE MOST POPULAR PLACES IN NEWZEALAND

Auckland
Tamaki-makau-rau

Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping - you’re beginning to get the picture of Auckland.
In the Maori language, Auckland is known as Tamaki-Makau-Rau - ‘the maiden with a hundred lovers’. It earned this name because it was a region coveted by many tribes.
Auckland’s blend of harbour, islands, Polynesian culture and modern city environment has created a lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world.
The natural assets of Auckland have made it a dream destination for all kinds of travellers, from doing-it-on-the-cheap backpackers to cost-is-no-issue super yacht owners.

Wairarapa
Wairarapa is tucked away in the south-east corner of the North Island, at the foot of the rugged Tararua Range. Maori called the region “Land of Glistening Waters”.
If you arrive from Wellington, you’ll wind your way over the Rimutaka hills and along the route trodden by early European settlers 150 years ago. The vast Wairarapa valley will open up before you, fringed by mountains to the west and rugged coast to the east.
European settlement dates back to the 1840s, but Maori history is much older. Archaeological research has shown that parts of the Wairarapa coast have been occupied for at least 800 years.
Essentially rural with off-the beaten-track charm, Wairarapa promises a diverse experience for those who appreciate great wine, gourmet food, astonishing wildlife and natural beauty. Rolling vineyards, acres of apple orchards, fields of lavender, olive groves, heritage museums and quaint historic towns combine to make Wairarapa an appealing destination.

Auckland's volcanic cones

Auckland sits on top of a large volcanic field that has produced around 53 volcanic scoria cones in the last 140 thousand years. Each of the cones is monogenetic, which means it was formed by a single bubble of magma that rose from deep within the earth. This means the next eruption is likely to occur on the thinner crusted areas between the existing cones.Wherever you are in Auckland, a green volcanic cone is never far from view. Two of the more prominent examples are Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill). Maungawhau, meaning mountain of the whau tree, is the highest of all at 196 metres. It has an oval base caused by three in-line craters. Maungawhau's lava flows covered 5.6 square kilometres and the 'bubble' contained enough lava to fill 32,000 Olympic swimming pools. Maori people lived on Maungawhau until around 1700 when the pa (fortification) was abandoned. Changes to the natural shape of the cone are clearly visible today, providing evidence of Maori terracing, food pits and house sites.Maungakiekie, meaning hill of the kiekie vine, was home to one of the largest Maori settlement structures in New Zealand and included three pa sites. Terracing and pits can be found all over the cone. The mountain has been a reserve since 1840 and in 1901 an affluent early Aucklander had the vision and generosity to gift his adjacent farm to the city as a park. Today they offer an extensive recreational area for visitors and the residents of Auckland. With walking tracks, glades of forest, picnic areas and paddocks of sheep and cattle, there is delightfully rural feeling to this inner city enclave. Maungawhau, Maungkiekie and many of the other larger cones offer long-range, 360 degree views of the surrounding land and sea. Because Auckland is on a narrow isthmus you can easily see from one side of New Zealand to the other.

Long Bay Regional Park

Long Bay certainly lives up to its name. This seaside reserve includes a kilometre-long sandy beach that gentle slopes down to the waters of a coastal marine reserve. Green hillsides provide a buffer from the neighbouring suburbs and a broad, flat grassed area with large shady trees flanks the beach along the length of the bay. There's plenty of room to throw a ball, fly a kite or simply relax in the sun. And it's a safe beach for swimming, so a refreshing dip is on the agenda during summer and autumn.The parkland continues north of the beach for about two kilometres before turning inland along a broad river. A walking track passes along the sandstone cliff tops offering panoramic views across the Hauraki Gulf. The trail leads through patches of native forest and side tracks reveal remnants of World War II gun emplacements. The original farm homestead has been restored and is open for visitors.Facilities at the park include toilets, changing rooms, showers and barbecue sites. Long Bay Regional Park is on the eastern coast about 30 minutes drive north of Auckland's city centre. There is a regular public bus service.

ETC.

Top Northland scenic highlights

Ninety Mile Beach

Ninety Mile Beach is the fabled strip of sand that stretches from Ahipara to Scott Point, five kilometres south of Cape Maria van Diemen. Truth be told, it is actually 88 kilometres long.This beach is officially a highway, but is really only suitable for 4WD vehicles. Rental companies won’t allow their cars on the sand, mostly for safety reasons. The easy way to drive along the beach is to catch a coach tour from Kaitaia.Beach activities range from surfcasting and swimming to bodyboarding down the sand dunes. A special treat is digging for tuatua (a native shellfish) in the sand at low tide. Flanking the beach is the Aupouri Forest, which provides a green escape from the hot sun.Once a year, usually during the last week of February, 90 Mile Beach hosts a five day fishing competition. Hundreds of anglers surf cast from the beach, hoping to catch the biggest snapper.

Kawiti Caves (Waiomio Caves)

The Kawiti Caves are a few kilometres south of Kawakawa; they’re also known as the Waiomio Caves. This cave system attracts many visitors with its bizarre karst features, stalactite formations and spectacular glow worm display. The family running tours of the cave are descendents of Chief Kawiti, a hero who fought alongside Hone Heke at Ruapekapeka. The meeting house and marae complex at the caves are his memorial.A highlight of the tour is an encounter with a friendly eel, the guardian of the cave. Once inside you’ll discover ‘inner space’ in the glow worm cave. The ceiling of the cave looks like the night sky - each glow worm is a blue-green coloured star. 'Arachnocampa Luminosa' is a glow worm unique to New Zealand. It is the larval stage of a two winged insect that emits light to attract food.

Nature Introduction in NZ

Natural Environment
With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, often spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, and it is no surprise that New Zealand’s pure natural environment is so attractive to visitors from other countries. And the great advantage of New Zealand is there are many different landscapes, environments, and ecosystems so close to each other.

Fauna Unique flightless birds, the world's heaviest insect and a 'living dinosaur'. Eighty million years of isolation in a time capsule - the unique native wildlife of New Zealand.
Flora Whether you spend time in the wilderness areas of National Parks or lovingly manicured private gardens, you'll find an abundance of fascinating native plants found nowhere else on earth but New Zealand
Climate and WeatherNew Zealand has mild temperatures, high rainfall, and lots of sunshine. You can also enjoy hot summers, beautiful spring and autumn colours, and crisp winter snow.
Geography and GeologyNew Zealand has a stunning variety of landforms — from spectacular alpine glaciers and massive mountain ranges to rolling green farmland and long sandy beaches.

History of New Zealand

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth - the last major landmass to be discovered.

It has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both our Maori and European heritage.

Amazing Maori historic sites and taonga (treasures), some dating back almost a thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial buildings. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country we have become.

About New Zealand

History of New Zealand, the Youngest Country

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth - the last major landmass to be discovered. It has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both our Maori and European heritage. Amazing Maori historic sites and taonga (treasures), some dating back almost a thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial buildings. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country we have become.
Nature Introduction

Natural Environment
With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, often spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, and it is no surprise that New Zealand’s pure natural environment is so attractive to visitors from other countries. And the great advantage of New Zealand is there are many different landscapes, environments, and ecosystems so close to each other.

Culture Introduction

Our Culture
New Zealand has a unique and dynamic culture. The culture of its indigenous Māori people affects the language, the arts, and even the accents of all New Zealanders. Their place in the South Pacific, and their love of the outdoors, sport, and the arts make New Zealanders and their culture unique in the world.

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