Taupo and National Park; New Zealand's Adventure capital

Population 8,751

This remarkable region has New Zealand's largest lake and is well known for its trout fishing and adventure activities which range from, white water rafting, snow skiing, fishing, caving, climbing, 4x4 driving parks, boating, tramping, nature studies, bird watching, thermal resorts, hot pools, jet boating, kayaking just to name a few.

Taupo is little known in New Zealand as being the crater of the world's largest volcano. It is reported that when it erupted hundreds if not thousands of years ago that the roar from the eruption was likely to have circled the globe three times. Ash deposits from the eruption have been found as far north as Auckland, four hours drive away from Taupo.

The National Park area is a world heritage park and features Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngaruahoe. Ruapehu is a top class ski field in the winter with the Whakapapa ski area having some 900 hectares of lift accessed skiable terrain and five on mountain licensed cafes with 30 groomed trails, while Turoa also has 900 hectares , 3 on mountain cafes and 22 groomed trails. The lift network and T-bars are the best in the country.

National Park is not just about skiing however, the more remote parts of the mountain host another of New Zealand's great walks, and this one is best completed over two days. The walk will take you through fragile virgin alpine flora, past a soda water fall and the accent of a natural staircase leading up to the spectacular cone of Mt Ngaurahoe, the accent of which can be safely completed by anyone with common sense who has a excellent level of fitness, after climbing Ngaruahoe, it is off to some of the most phenomenal scenery New Zealand has to offer, views to Mt Taranaki, Lake Taupo and in fact a 360 degree panorama unequalled anywhere, the walk continues past emerald and cobalt blue lakes, on mountain volcanic activity to the Ketatahi hut 1800 meters where you can stay the night for $15 and have stunning views. The sheer majestic feeling in this region can only be experienced by visiting it.

Employment and accommodation is possible but difficult and the best way of achieving this is to spend time making the contacts in Taupo. The Pine logging industry provides opportunities for diesel mechanics both truck and heavy equipment while Taupo township has a small number of franchise and non franchise dealerships. National Park occasionally has opportunities at the ski fields for mechanics who work on snow ploughs and other equipment.

Click here to view the Ruapehu region »

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