Lake Taupo

Bridge over the Huka Falls near Taupo.
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On Sunday we drove about 250kms to the shores of Lake Taupo, pretty much bang in the centre of the North Island. We arrived really late to a lovely campsite where the kids have spent the day swimming and making friends, and enjoying themselves.

Today I have a chronic case of Cabin Fever and I am going round like a bear with a sore paw. Hopefully everyone will ignore me and not pick a fight! (I am in the mood for one…oh the dark clouds are looming ever closer…tomorrow is another day. I am off to bed, it’s the only sensible thing to do.)

Looking back where the river channel widens up again.
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Well, needless to say sometimes all you need is some sleep.

Today we’ve had an action packed day, mainly because there is so much to see and do.

This whole area sits on the shores of what is actually the enormous caldera of a volcano which exploded for the last time in 184AD, with such enormous force that its effect was recorded as far away as China and the Roman Empire. It had consequences on the weather of the whole planet for years to come. The whole area is dotted with evidence of past and present volcanic activity. We walked around an area called “The Craters of the Moon”, where it seems obvious that the space between your feet and the molten magma is really not that great. Steam rises from fumaroles and craters dotted around, and you are strictly advised to stick to the paths. The air smells earthy and slightly sulphurous but not overpowering. The walkways take you round for about 45 minutes. Luca said it was cool but boring. It’s hard to know what to make of it. I think he means it was cool but too hot to be walking around at midday.

One of those DIY group photies.
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We also stopped at the most visited tourist attraction in New Zealand, the Huka Falls. The idea of busloads of people queuing to take pictures of the same spot would put you off, but in fact it is an awesome sight to behold. We all took a deep breath in when we walked onto a bridge over the most gigantic volume of water I have ever seen. 46 rivers empty into Lake Taupo, but only the Waikato river drains it and makes it’s way to the sea near Auckland. At these falls all that water has to fit between the rocky sides of a small canyon and drops 10 mtrs at the end of it making an awesome noise.

A close up of the falls.
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We had a quick lunch in the campervan and drove to the rapids at the end of the Aratiatia Dam. Evan convinced us that it would be a really good idea to go on a jetboat along the rapids. I was ….. a little bit worried that the kids ( I mean me!) would find it too much. In fact it was amazing; fast, fun, 360 degree turns on the river, hovering over the rapids and jumping them. We got soaking wet and loved it.

As if that wasn’t enough for 1 day we also stopped at a Volcanic Information Centre, where we got to see even more information about volcanoes, and then went to a Honey Farm to taste different honeys and see the inside of some beehives through glass.

The Craters of the Moon geothermal area.
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All round a great day. The kids have red eyes from swimming in the pool of the campsite since we got back and they are shattered. So are we.