Great Kiwi Escapes | Taupo | AA New Zealand Travel Guide

Lake Taupo is the centre of it all - located in the middle of the North Island; all roads lead to the Lake Taupo region. You'll discover breathtaking scenery and an amazing variety of activities sure to suit everyone. This laidback Kiwi region reflects all that is wholesome and fresh about this inspiring country. Here you can learn about our culture, our landscape and - best of all - our people.

Mountain biking mecca

You'll love getting back to basics around Lake Taupo - especially when it's just you, two wheels and some wicked mountain bike tracks. There are over 100km of biking tracks in the Lake Taupo region including some of the best, uncrowded mountain bike terrain. Whether you're after a meandering, family-friendly trail or a heart-pumping, hair-raising downhill experience, Lake Taupo has it all.

On almost all the purpose-cut mountain bike tracks, there is a café at either the beginning or end. The famous 42nd Traverse track goes one better and has a licensed bar at the finish line.

For more information and great ideas on how to select the right ride go to www.laketauponz.com

The greatest golf of all

Imagine swinging your clubs through picture-perfect grounds without being persecuted by a horrified gardener. Taupo's flagship course, Wairakei International Golf Course, is described as being like playing in a botanic garden and has been rated in the top 100 courses in the world by the prestigious US Golf Digest magazine. Well bunkered and with plenty of elevation, the 6444-metre course will test your skills. Even more testing, apparently, is the new Kinloch Club designed by Jack Nicklaus, which is vying to be the top course in the region. It's a beautiful but challenging links-like course in a natural environment and was named one of the world’s top ten new golf courses in 2007.

For more information and the locations of Taupo's great golfing drawcards go to www.laketauponz.com

A real steal

Is the recession nipping at your pocket? Even in tight times, it is possible to recharge and refresh yourself with a weekend getaway - and the Lake Taupo region is just the place for cheap and free activities.

Visit the Aratiatia Dam to watch the Waikato River surge through twisting rock formations when the hydro dam is opened. The thunderous torrent will astonish you. From here you can step aboard a river cruise which will take you upstream for the best-ever view of New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction, Huka Falls, and a chance to get some impressive close-up snaps.

For more information and a list of free things to do around the Lake Taupo region go to www.laketauponz.com

Camp under the stars with Pureora Walks

An enchanting forest tour, a sumptuous dinner, story telling and marshmallow toasting is completed with a soak beneath the stars in an outdoor hot tub.

Mangakino

Mangakino is water sports central! Lakes Maraetai, Whakamaru, Atiamuri and Waipapa are great for water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking and sailing. Go walking or biking along the Waikato River Trails while you're there.