Two Tremendous days in Taupo (NZ)!

Two Tremendous days in Taupo (NZ)!

 

Christmas and New Year are very traditional family times – especially I guess because we live so far away from the rest of the family in New Zealand. Each year we try to have a couple of solid family days away and each year it is a challenge to find somewhere that will suit all ages. Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake (approximately the same size as Singapore), has really come up tops in this respect.

These are a few favourite tips – some sort of variation of sightseeing and making the best of our  time together.

Two Tremendous days in Taupo (NZ)!

1. Whilst there are loads of places to stay in a location right on the lake is absolute bliss – great for feeding the birds after breakfast, watching the locals and other tourists wander by, escape for a quick run along the lake, dip your feet in the hot waters on the lake shore and simply enjoying the tremendous view. See: The Reef Resort or Sacred Waters, amongst others.

2. Taupo is absolutely famous for it’s adventure activities and whilst many are only suitable for some of us – the four wheeled buggy’s are truly something that can be enjoyed by almost everyone!

3. Visit the famous photo bridge at Huka Falls – situated along the Waikato, New Zealand’s longest river. See the spectacular view of more than 220,000 litres of water blasting by every second. There are also a few lovely walks from here!

 

4. Take a boat trip to the famous Maori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay. They are over 10 metres high and only accessible by boat – or for those of you more energetic there is a 4 hour kayak tour available. There are many different boats you can take but my personal favourite is the Ernest Kemp Replica Steamboat – free tea, coffee and biscuits included – smile.

 

5. Visit the Lava Glass Blowing gallery. What truly impressed us was the fabulous glass sculpture garden. There is a slight entrance fee but most of this gets refunded if you buy something there. We loved it as the creations were each and every one like precious pieces of art. Leave yourself enough time for a bite to eat at their lovely cafe.

 

As you can imagine there are loads of other attractions at Taupo but these were what we chose to do as an extended family and this way we celebrated a solid couple of days with each others company! The one thing though that really struck me was the lack of fish we could buy. Having childhood memories of Taupo being so famous for Trout fishing I was sooo looking forward to buying some wonderful fresh fish for dinner. As it turns out the regulations for how may fish one is allowed to catch these days are extremely rigid and trout are no longer sold commercially – I will confess to having resorted to buying frozen fish as compensation!!!

Taupo the place for everyone!

Hope the New Year has started well for all of you.

Yvonne x

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