It's the biggest lake in Australasia - fresh, clear and full of trout. There's a lot to do in the beautiful district of Lake Taupo, but catching your own trout is one of the most satisfying.
With a license, you can fish any day of the year. Find a casting spot on the shore, hire a boat for some easy trolling, or take up the challenge on the banks of a local river for some serious fly fishing.
You can't buy wild trout, so the only way you'll get to taste this delicacy is to catch it yourself. Take it home smoked, or get a local restaurant to prepare it for dinner.
Don't leave without visiting Huka Falls, just a few kilometres north of Taupo and one of the country's most visited natural attractions.
Just after exiting the lake, the swift flowing Waikato River reaches a narrow gap where it shoots through at a rate of 200,000 litres per second. The sight is awesome. There's a walk-bridge across the river at the top of the falls that leads to a platform at the base for great views and photography.
You can also venture to the bottom of Huka Falls on a cruise boat or by exhilarating jetboat.
if adventure is your penchant, then you’d be best to jump on Tongariro River's grade 3 rapids. Your 2 1/2-hour rafting trip will take you down a 13-km stretch of wicked rapids, as the river cuts its way from the Desert Road to Lake Taupo.
