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Taupo & the Central Plateau

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Taupo & the Central Plateau 271 Taupo & the Central Plateau 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 CENTRAL PLATEAU of Tongariro National Park, are three massive peaks: Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. & THE TAUPO 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. HIGHLIGHTS Exploring a fascinating volcanic terrain while tramping the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (p 292 ) Hurtling to earth from 15,000ft at 200km/h strapped to a complete stranger in the world’s skydiving capital, Taupo (p 275 ) Ὀ Ὀ Carving fresh powder at Turoa Ski Area or Orakei Korako Whakapapa Ski Area (p 293 ) Huka Falls Biking till your bum burns on the 42 Taupo Taupo Bungy Traverse (p 295 ) Lake Taupo Paddling Lake Taupo (p 276) to check out ὈὈὈὈὈ the modern Maori carvings 42 Traverse Tongariro River Rediscovering the ‘lost valley’ of Orakei Korako (p 284 ) Tongariro Alpine Crossing Rocketing up the Waikato River to the Whakapapa Ski Area base of Huka Falls (p282 ) in a jetboat Turoa Ski Area Plunging 47m over the Waikato River ὈὈὈὈὈ (p 276) on the end of a rubber band Telephone code: 07 www.laketauponz.com ὈὈ www.visitruapehu.com 272 TAUPO & THE CENTRAL PLATEAU •• Climate lonelyplanet.com 030 km CENTRAL PLATEAU 0 20 miles To Hamilton Tokoroa Tokoroa Airfield To Rotorua (60km) (5km) Hangatiki Waipapa 30 Waimangu Lake Rotomahana Lake 32 1 Kinleith 5 Te Kuiti Waipapa Forest Ngakuru Lake Rerewhakaaitu Upper Atiamuri Rotomahana Rerewhakaaitu Lake Waikite Waiotapu Waiteti Mangakino Lake e Kaingaroa Pureora Maraetai Valley g Atiamuri n Forest Forest Park Atiamuri a Whakamaru 30 Kaingaroa Lake a R Forest ro Parekarangi Galatea Aramatai Mt Lake Ohakuri e Rangitoto Ranges a Reporoa 38 Kopaki Titiraupenga Whakamaru P Barryville Butcher's Pool 30 (1042m) Orakei Korako Aratoro Mihi Golden Springs Murupara Benneydale Pureora Arataki Mokai Broadlands 5 Mokauiti Mt Pureora Tahorakuri (1165m) r Mapiu e v i To Wairoa Tihoi R (123km) Wairakei Waikato Kinloch Mangatupoto Pureora Minginui Forest Park 32 Taupo Ongarue See Taupo & Wairakei Acacia Bay Map (p282) 40 River Mine Bay Wharawaka r Tuhua i Taupo k Rive TAUPO & THE & THE TAUPO Hauhungaroa Range Airport Okahukura Whirinaki Mt Hauhungaroa Lake Taupo Waitahanui CENTRAL PLATEAU CENTRAL PLATEAU (1078m) Rangitai Whirinaki 4 Lake 1 Iwitahi Forest Park Taumarunui Kuratau 41 Hatepe Rangitaiki Moerangi Kuratau 43 Piriaka Junction 41 Te Rangiita Te Maire Motuoapa Tokaanu A 5 To Stratford h im (125km) Turangi s an a w a R Tarawera Tongariro Forest Rangipo ountain a Conservation Area Mohaka Rip ng Kaitieke r e e ia River 47 v i R River o Tongariro r Te Haroto i K National Park r National Park a ga we n Whakapapa Village Kaimanawa ka To Kaimanawa M R Forest Park an iver R g Makatote R ang e Tar itik Te Pohue uar Mt Ruapehu WARNING ei Desert Rd may au Kaimanawa (2797m) d Horopito R Forest Park be closed in iv rt R Tohunga e Riv Rangataua severe conditions r Junction ese Conservation Area e D r T Lake Kuripapango utaek Raetihi Moawhango uri R To Napier Ohakune Moaw iver (20km) Mangaetoroa Karioi Tangiwai See Tongariro National Park 49 Waiouru hang & Around Map (p289) To Whanganui o via Whanganui Rv River Rd 1 Otamauri (88km) 4 Erewhon Moawhengo Pungatawa Runanga River Lodge Lake Kakatahi Pukeokehu Stables r e Taihape Flaxmere iv R Ruahine To Whanganui Omatane Forest Park 50 (43km) u h Utiku e a Mokai g n 2 a Wh Mangamahu To Palmerston Mangaweka Ruahine Range Opapa Lake Otairi North (88km) Poukawa Climate snow can linger on into spring. On the moun- Due to its altitude, the Central Plateau has tains, storms and freezing temperatures can a generally cool climate, with temperatures occur at any time. ranging from around 3°C in winter up to a maximum of around 24°C in summer. Above Getting There & Around 2500m there is a small year-round snowfield, Air New Zealand (www.airnz.co.nz) has regular flights while July to October is the skiing season at from Taupo to Auckland and Wellington. Whakapapa and Turoa, and in some places The Tranz Scenic Overlander (www.tranzscenic.co.nz).
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