Post on 26-Mar-2022
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Telephone code: 07 www.laketauponz.com www.visitruapehu.com
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Taupo Bungy
42 TraverseTongariro River
Huka Falls
Turoa Ski Area
Lake Taupo
Whakapapa Ski Area
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Taupo
Orakei Korako
HIGHLIGHTS
Exploring a fascinating volcanic terrain while tramping the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (p 308 )
Hurtling to earth from 15,000ft at 200km/h strapped to a complete stranger in the world’s skydiving capital, Taupo (p 291 )
Carving fresh powder at Turoa Ski Area or Whakapapa Ski Area (p 309 )
Biking till your bum burns on the 42 Traverse (p 311 )
Paddling Lake Taupo (p 292 ) to check out the modern Maori carvings
Rediscovering the ‘lost valley’ of Orakei Korako (p 300 )
Rocketing up the Waikato River to the base of Huka Falls (p 298 ) in a jetboat
Plunging 47m over the Waikato River (p 292 ) on the end of a rubber band
Don’t think for a minute that this plateau is some boring old ‘elevated flat landmass’ as per the dictionary definition. For a start, it ain’t flat. In the middle of the plateau, at the heart of Tongariro National Park, are three massive peaks: Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. Then there’s New Zealand’s largest lake, Taupo: a vast, water-filled crater – the legacy of a volcanic blast that shook up the world and shattered the island more than 26,500 years ago. This is all part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, a line of geothermal surfacings that stretches to Whakaari/White Island via Rotorua; and the area is still active, with Mt Ruapehu often having a hissy fit, the last blast occurring in 2007.
And the drama doesn’t stop there, for this area now rivals Rotorua for back-to-nature activities and daredevil escapades. Perhaps you fancy fly-fishing in the world-class Tongariro River, hooning up to Huka Falls in a jetboat, or bouncing on a bungy over the Waikato River? Or this could be your chance to skydive. If rambling’s your thing, there’s always Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of NZ’s most achievable Great Walks, or the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, touted as one of the world’s top one-dayers. Then again, you could wait until winter, when the mountains are dusted with snow: there’s top skiing at Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields.
From river deep to mountain high, and out on the luscious lake, New Zealand’s diverse geology takes centre stage here and my-oh-my does it get its shimmy on.
Taupo & the Central Plateau
287© Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd
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Climate Due to its altitude, the Central Plateau has a generally cool climate, with temperatures ranging from around 3°C in winter up to a maximum of around 24°C in summer. Above 2500m there is a small year-round snowfield, while July to October is the skiing season at Whakapapa and Turoa, and in some places
snow can linger on into spring. On the moun-tains, storms and freezing temperatures can occur at any time.
Getting There & Around Air New Zealand (www.airnz.co.nz) has regular flights from Taupo to Auckland and Wellington. The Tranz Scenic Overlander (www.tranzscenic.co.nz)
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(20km)To Napier
(123km)To Wairoa
(5km)To Rotorua
(60km)To Hamilton
(125km)To Stratford
(88km)River Rdvia WhanganuiTo Whanganui
(43km)To Whanganui
North (88km)To Palmerston
Mine Bay
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Riv
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Riv
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Whi
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ki
Rang
itaik
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Waikato
Tokoroa
Rotomahana
Galatea
Murupara
Waiotapu
Waimangu
Parekarangi
Golden Springs
Reporoa
Broadlands
Mihi
NgakuruRerewhakaaitu
Atiamuri
Upper Atiamuri
Mokai
Waipapa
Barryville
Pureora Arataki
Mangakino
Whakamaru
Orakei Korako
Benneydale
Te Kuiti
AramataiKopaki
Aratoro
Minginui
Te Pohue
Tarawera
Te Haroto
Kuripapango
Iwitahi
Rangitaiki
Tahorakuri
Flaxmere
Opapa
Otamauri
Taupo
Wairakei
Wharawaka
Waitahanui
Hatepe
Te RangiitaMotuoapa
Kinloch
Acacia Bay
Tangiwai
Whakapapa Village
Tokaanu
Moerangi
Karioi
Tihoi
Rangipo
Turangi
Pungatawa
Pukeokehu
Omatane
Erewhon
Taihape
Mangaweka
Moawhengo
Utiku
WaiouruMangaetoroa
Raetihi
Kaitieke
Ohakune
Horopito
Mokauiti
Tuhua
Mangatupoto
Okahukura
Piriaka
Taumarunui
Te Maire
Mapiu
Ongarue
Kakatahi
MangamahuOtairi
National Park
Waiteti
Mokai
JunctionTohunga
JunctionKuratau
ValleyWaikite
ForestKaingaroa
Hangatiki
StablesRiver Lodge
Butcher's Pool
Conservation Area
Conservation Area
Tongariro Forest
Rangataua
Poukawa
Lake
Ohakuri
Atiamuri
Moawhango
Kuratau
Whakamaru
Maraetai
Waipapa Lake Rerewhakaaitu
Lake Rotomahana
Lake
Lake
Lake
LakeLake
Runanga
Lake
Lake TaupoLake
Lake
Paer
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Kaweka Range
Ahimanawa Range
Kai
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Hau
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Ran
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Rua
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Ran
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Riv
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Wha
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River
River R
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Mohaka
Ripia River
Tutaekuri River
Rangitikei
Taruarau
Tong
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Moawhango
Makatote River
Tokoroa Airfield
AirportTaupo
Forest ParkRuahine
Forest ParkWhirinaki
ForestKinleith
Forest ParkKaimanawa
Forest ParkKaimanawa
National ParkTongariro
Forest ParkPureora
Forest ParkPureora
ForestKaingaroa
Mt
(2797m)Mt Ruapehu
(1078m)Mt Hauhungaroa
(1165m)Mt Pureora
(1042m)Titiraupenga
Map (p298)See Taupo & Wairakei
& Around Map (p305)See Tongariro National Park
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severe conditionsbe closed in
Desert Rd may
CENTRAL PLATEAU 0 30 km0 20 miles
288 TA U P O & T H E C E N T R A L P L AT E A U • • C l i m a t e l o n e l y p l a n e t . c o m