As we get ready to leave beautiful Taupo, I want to share a few other unique spots close to “home.”
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- Lake Taupo feeds the Waikato River.
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- A natural hot stream at the start of the walkway is a huge draw.
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- The path ran along the river…
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- and through a lush rainforest.
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- I had these in my yard but they sure weren’t this big!
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- Soon we heard rapids.
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- The river narrows to a ravine of volcanic rock, increasing the speed and velocity of the current.
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- The force is equal to 60,000 gallons per second…
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- and able to fill two Olympic size swimming pools every second!
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- Huka Falls
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- A hydroelectric dam controls the Aratiatia Rapids
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- Aratiatia Rapids
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- Aratiatia Rapids
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- The recreated Wairakei Pink and White Terraces, which were destroyed by the Tarawera eruption in 1886
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- Although the terraces have been recreated, the geothermal activity is amazing to see.
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- Bungy jump area of the canyon
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- We took a cruise on Lake Taupo to view some Maori carvings. Although they look ancient,
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- they were actually created in the late 70s by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell as a gift to Taupo. E of the several carvings has its own story and meaning.
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- Traveling to the carvings gave us a chance to see Taupo from another angle.
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- There were beautiful homes built into the hillsides overlooking the lake.
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- This is Point Wharewaka near our house where we often watch the sunset…
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- and view Frank’s mountain.
Waltzing Wanderers 