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.

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.

Craters of the Moon

In the 1950s a large area of land north of Taupo suddenly began to get hot and emit steam. Craters of boiling mud emerged, along with other geothermal phenomena. And so the Craters of the Moon was born.

The event was triggered by the lowering of underground water pressure by a nearby geothermal power station. Superheated water rose to the surface, escaping through any vent it could find.

Wooden walkways have been constructed to protect visitors from the heat of the soil. These are regularly moved as new vents emerge. One minute you're in clear air marveling at the eerie steam clouds, then with a shift in the breeze you're enveloped in a cloud and your sunglasses are completely fogged up.

The tracks lead to several viewing platforms on the edge of large craters. From here the relentless power of the earth's fiery core becomes truly apparent. Clouds of slightly sulphurous steam swirl all around you. There's a primeval appeal to this geothermal mayhem, and you can't resist breathing deep and pushing your face forward for more of nature's free health spa therapy.

Craters of the Moon is a free public attraction and the walkway is maintained by local volunteers, who also keep an eye on things at the visitor car park. The turn-off is well sign-posted on State Highway 1 north of Taupo.