Jon takes us back across the ditch this month to Taupo, New Zealand.  You might want to pack some waders, because chances are, with Jon as our guide, there will be some fly fishing involved. 

New Zealand is well known as the home of the All Blacks, the Kiwi, the Maori, 45m sheep and the former home of too many people now living in Australia (including our wonderful Louisa!)  Apart from being a great place to migrate from, it is a tourist destination of world-wide renown attracting more international tourists per head of population than Australia.  While Queenstown, Auckland, Bay of Islands (see Newsletter #5) and Mt Cook are counted amongst the more popular tourist destinations, this article focuses upon a lesser-known and more adventurous tourist destination – Taupo.   

The Taupo township is located at the northern end of the lake, where the lake discharges impressively through the famous Huka Falls into the Waikato River, NZ’s longest river.  Hydroelectric power stations on this river generate 13% of the country’s electricity.  

Taupo is best known as a summer tourist destination, although in the winter it is also the gateway to Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields and the world’s best Rainbow (Steelhead) Trout fishery in the Tongariro River (yes, I just had to mention the fishing!).  Taupo is a great adventure tourism destination, boasting white water rafting, jet boating, kayaking, water skiing, sailing, lake cruises, bungy jumping, bushwalking, skydiving, canyoning, mountain biking, hunting and fishing.  For the less adventurous, there are plenty of geothermal pools to explore or laze in (Taupo doesn’t have an odour like Rotorua) and day spas for those looking to be pampered.

For me, it was the fishing I had come for and I was not disappointed.  Using the services of a local guide, two of us caught 140 Rainbow and Brown Trout up to 7lb on fly.  The weather, rivers, scenery and local company were awesome and I am going back again next February.   

The township of Taupo has successfully morphed through a series of economic bases, having established initially in support of farming activities, followed by forestry.  The geothermal potential of the area was then capitalised upon, with the town finally yielding to tourism and lifestyle themes.  The town boasts a large number of impressive and pretty motels, resorts and spas, all boasting an excellent view over the lake and most within easy walking distance of the town centre.  The town is quite attractive and a great candidate for Tidy Town of the year.

The town of 22,000 people has yet to be adversely impacted by suburban sprawl: State Highway 1 still runs through the town centre; there are no out-of-centre shopping centres; and the town centre is very walkable, boasting a good range of cafes, restaurants and independent boutiques.  

Anyone thinking of visiting NZ needs to be aware that they speak a different language over there.  A few tips to remember are: