Taupo- New Zealand
Airing Date: Jul 28th, 2007
278km South of
Auckland,
Lake Taupo lies in a volcanic caldera which was created from a huge volcanic explosion 26,500 years ago, and today is the largest freshwater lake in Australasia (616 square kilometres).
One way to view the lake is t otake a tour on the Barbary Yacht, a 1920's yacht, rumoured to have once been owned by Errol Flynn. The Barbary sails up close to the famous mega Maori rock carvings where you will learn about the history of the Maori tribes in
Taupo.
Throught the whole
Taupo region, signs of Maori history can be found. Central North Island is known for its thermal spring activity and there is one place which will mesmerise you with its variety land formations more than anywhere else. When you visit
Orakei Korako be ready for gushing geysers, hot springs in different colours, bubbling mud pools and some of the largest and most amazing silica terraces in the world. As its name translates, this place was a "place of adorning" for Maori women prior to ceremonies, where mud baths were all part of the beautification process.
Exploring Central North Island by car is easy. The Thermal Explorer Highway allows you to do just that. From
Taupo this highway takes you south to
Napier and
Hastings, or north up to
Rotorua and
Auckland. Just north of
Rotorua lies
Okere Falls where you can see the madmen raft down the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall.
Further Information:
Air New Zealand one way to Taupo- from: $405 ex Sydney; $411 ex Melbourne; $417 ex Brisbane; $628 ex Perth. For more information visit:
www.airnewzealand.com.au Prices correct at 28/6/07 Prices available online and include taxes, subject to fluctuation, conditions apply.
Bayview Wairakei Resort- Double Rooms from $123 a night. For more information visit:
www.wairakei.co.nz Prices correct at 26/6/07. Including taxes, subject to fluctuation, conditions apply.
Jucy Car Rentals- From $23 per day.
www.jucy.co.nz Prices correct at 26/06/07. Including taxes, subject to fluctuation, conditions apply.
