Lake Taupo is situated in the North Island. With a surface area of 616 square km (238 sq mi), it is the largest lake in New Zealand.

It has a perimeter of approximately 193 kilometres, a deepest point of 186 metres. It is drained by the Waikato River (New Zealand's longest river).

Eruption

Mt Taupo erupted an estimated 26,500 years ago, in the Earth's highest level on the Volcanic Explosivity Index with 1,170 km³ of material.

The last major eruption from Lake Taupo was in 181 AD. It is believed to have first emptied the lake then followed that feat with a pyroclastic flow that covered about 20,000 square kilometres of land with volcanic ash.

A total of 120 km³ of material is believed to have been ejected, and over 30 km³ of material is estimated to have been ejected in just a few minutes.

The date 181AD is known since the ash expulsion was sufficiently large to turn the sky red over Rome and China (as documented in Hou Han Shu).

Aratiatia Rapids

These are located around 10kms north of Taupo.

These rapids are created by the release of water via dam control gates on the Waikato River.

The water crashing through the narrow canyon creates really spectacular views - there are several view points available.

Maori Rock Carvings

Carved in the late 1970s, these are a public art on a grand scale.

They were carved by Jono Randall, of Ngati Tuwharetoa descent and a number of friends between 1978 and 1980. He saw the cliffs at Mine Bay and recognised the opportunity to use them as a canvas for his work.

He decided to carve a likeness of Ngatoroirangi, a visionary Maori navigator who guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupo area over a thousand years ago.

In recognition of the cross-cultural nature of New Zealand, Matahi also carved two smaller figures of Celtic design, which depict the south wind and a mermaid.

The main carving is over 10 metres high and took four summers to complete.

The artwork is Matahi's gift to Taupo.

He and four assistants took no payment other than small change donations from local bar patrons to cover the cost of the scaffolding.

The Mine Bay rock carvings can only be reached by boat and are best viewed up close from a kayak.

Taupo Bungy

Taupo Bungy is located in the Waikato River Valley, upstream of Huka Falls, and just 5 minutes from the Great Lake Taupo.

if the colour of the water alone is not enough to inspire you to jump then perhaps the knowledge that this is New Zealand's highest water jump will...

Taupo bungy is 47 m. (154 ft) down.