Reporoa, New Zealand + Add a trip
Q&A for Taupo
-
Dopplr asks “What's good to explore in Taupo?”
-
Dopplr asks “Tell us something good about Taupo.”
-
+
Getting There
Automobiles
If you intend exploring the area by far the easiest way is by car. Avis (www.avis.co.nz) has a counter at Taupo Airport, 8km south of town. Otherwise numerous shuttle bus services run year-round between Taupo, Turangi and the Tongariro National Park, and up to the Whakapapa ski fields (about 90 minutes away) during winter.
Planes
Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.com) has regular flights to Taupo from Auckland and Wellington.
Trains
The Tranz Scenic Overlander (www.tranzscenic.co.nz) runs between Auckland and Wellington and stops twice in the region: at National Park and Okahune.
-
+
Local Knowledge
Dialing
Country code for New Zealand: 64. Taupo: 07. In the south of the region, near Ohakune: 06 (drop the zero if calling from an international number).
Reads
Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien (mountainous park Tongariro, near Taupo, makes a cameo appearance in Peter Jackson's film of the books as Mordor's Mt Doom). Hamish Campbell and Geoff Hicks' Awesome Forces:The Natural Hazards that Threaten New Zealand if you want to scare yourself silly about how volcanoes, tsunamis and earthquakes could impact on this amazing environment.
Do go / Don't Go
The elevation means things can get cool here. If you want to go walking, fishing, mountain biking and have other outdoorsy adventures, stick to the warmer months (December to February are the warmest). Ready to ski and indulge in all the après on offer? July to October is the time for you. If you're into fishing, February and March are best for brown trout, and June to September for rainbow trout, but the Tongariro River has good fishing year-round.
Cuisine
The Kiwis are proud of their amazing produce and you'll find it all - excellent lamb and beef, especially - on offer around the Taupo region. As it gets colder, most of the restaurants, particularly those around the ski fields, will bump up the big winter-warmer flavours.
Taxis
There are three taxi companies operating in Taupo, but you're best to book one. Try Taupo Taxis (+65 (0)7 378 5100).
Tipping
Not expected and waiters/waitresses don't rely on tips to earn a living, but 10 per cent on top of the bill is appreciated if you've had a great meal with good service.
Currency
New Zealand dollar (NZ$).
Packing
Hiking boots, binoculars, ski gear, a handful of dry flies (not dead ones; the ones you catch trout with).
-
+
Worth Doing
Arts
There's a strong Maori culture here, the home of the Tuwharetoa iwi (tribe). At Wairakei Terraces, about five kilometres north-east of Taupo, take part in the evening Maori Cultural Experience (+64 (0)7 378 0913; www.wairakeiterraces.co.nz). Displays of traditional greetings, stories and dance culminate in a hangi (a meal cooked in coals below the ground) and the awe-inspiring haka, a war dance familiar to anyone who's ever seen the All Blacks play.
And...
Here's something for the 13-year-old boy in everyone. When it comes to Maori names, the letters 'wh' are pronounced like an 'f'. The ski region on Mt Ruapehu is called Whakapapa. Go on, you're allowed to giggle.
Shopping
Not really a destination for spending hours splashing cash, but worth a look is Kura Gallery at 47a Heu Heu Street, Taupo (+64 (0)7 377 4068), which shows and sells contemporary ethnic art, from paintings and sculpture to jewellery. Also try Zea You Contemporary NZ Art, on the corner of Heu Heu and Ruapehu Streets, Taupo (+64 (0)7 378 1361). On Saturday morning, the Riverside Park Markets (off Tongariro and Redoubt Streets, Taupo) sells local produce, art and craft, clothing, collectibles and more.
Viewpoint
This is an area not short of a good vantage point, but climbing to the summit of Mt Tauhura, on Lake Taupo's northeastern shore, isn't as difficult as accessing other good lookouts in the vicinity. If you walk at a slow and steady pace, it should take about two hours to get to the top, 1088 metres above sea level. From there, you can see over the lake and Taupo town and, on a clear day, over most of the plateau. The weather changes quickly around here, so even on this short walk make sure you take a warm, waterproof jacket.
Something
Actually this is two free things rolled into one. An easy walk from Taupo along the Waikato River is the impressive Huka Falls, an absolute must-do. Many people scoot to the bottom in a jet boat, but if you do the walk, wear your swimmers: there's a hot swimming hole just off the walkway fed by a thermal creek.
-
+
Diary
March Some of the world's fittest athletes head to Taupo to take part in Ironman New Zealand (www.ironman.co.nz), a one-day race that includes a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run. Don't worry, you can join the rest of watching from the footpath.. July During Ohakune Carrot Carnival (www.carrotcarnival.org.nz), held on one Saturday a year, this mountain community goes veggie crazy. There's a parade, stalls, entertainment and, naturally, a carrot cake competition. September Taupo Day-Night Thriller (www.daynightthriller.co.nz) is the biggest mountain bike event in New Zealand, with about 3,000 riders pouring into town to take part in a 12-hour race on an eight-kilometre track near the Spa Park. October The tiny town of Taihape claims to be the gumboot-throwing capital of New Zealand, and so each year they have a festival, Gumboot Day (www.taihape.co.nz), to award the Golden Gumboot to the person who hurls a rubber shoe the furthest. Those crazy Kiwis.