Located about halfway between Auckland and Wellington, Taupo is a lakeside town that serves as the main base for exploring the Central Plateau. Lake Taupo itself — 616 square kilometres of water filling the caldera of a dormant supervolcano — is the largest lake in New Zealand and one of the largest freshwater volcanic lakes in the world.
The lake was created by a massive eruption around 26,500 years ago, and a comparatively smaller eruption in 181 CE was recorded as far away as China and Rome. The volcano is intensively monitored and shows no signs of activity, but its presence gives the whole area a dramatic edge.
Taupo is famous for its trout fishing — some of the world's best rainbow and brown trout fishing can be found on the lake and its surrounding streams year-round. Beyond fishing, the lake offers skydiving, waterskiing, sailing, and scenic flights. Huka Falls, at the headwaters of the Waikato River just north of town, is New Zealand's most visited natural attraction — over 220,000 litres of water tumble over the cliff face every second, creating a wall of turquoise foam. Nearby, the Craters of the Moon geothermal area and the Wairakei geothermal power station are both worth a visit.
The town itself is relaxed and well set up for tourists, with good restaurants, bars, and places to stay at all price levels. The Taupo Museum covers the district's volcanic geology and Māori history, and the Great Lake Walkway runs along the shore for those who want to stretch their legs. Views of the Tongariro volcanic peaks to the south are a constant backdrop, and the Mine Bay Māori rock carvings can be reached by boat from the marina.