As the unofficial trout fishing headquarters of New Zealand, Turangi invites you to call in and drop a line. The town is on the banks of the Tongariro River, Lake Taupo is only four kilometres away and the Tauranga-Taupo River (another trout haven) is just to the east. For the ultimate trout experience visit the Tongariro Trout Centre, a hatchery run by the Department of Conservation. Turangi’s visitors don’t all come to fish; the town is an ideal base for hiking adventures into the Tongariro National Park. It’s also just 40 minutes from the Whakapapa ski area on Mount Ruapehu and about five minutes from Tokaanu’s hot pools.
Functional facts: Approx. population 3900, i-SITE Visitor Centre, good range of shops and accommodation.