Taupō, located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, is built along the shores of Lake Taupō, which is the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, formed nearly two thousand years ago by a massive volcanic eruption. That eruption was so powerful, it was recorded in ancient Chinese and Roman texts, even though it occurred halfway across the world. Today, the lake is calm, clear, and central to life in the region, offering everything from trout fishing to kayaking and lakeside cycling.

Just a short drive from the town center, Huka Falls puts on a dramatic display as more than 220,000 liters of water surge through a narrow canyon every second. Walkways and viewing platforms give visitors close-up views, while jet boats and river cruises offer a different perspective from below. Geothermal activity is another defining feature of Taupō, with steaming valleys, boiling mud pools, and colorful mineral terraces at nearby parks like Craters of the Moon and Orakei Korako, one of the few geothermal sites in the world accessible by boat.