Taihape to Taupo

We left Taihape at 8:30 am & drove two hours to Lake Taupo in the interior of the north island of New Zealand. We passed by some fairly tall mountains with snow on their peaks. We saw Mount Ruapehu, which is one of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes, having erupted 10 times since 1861. The last eruption occurred in Sept of 2007. The other peaks were Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Tongario. Sunday is Market Day & we walked around quite an impressive market, with local handicrafts, clothing, etc. We bought a bottle of local Boysenberry Wine, after trying a sample. We walked around the many clothing, & knickknack shops in Taupo, & wandered down to a beach. We were surprised that the lake is so cold, as Autumn is just beginning here. Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand with a 606 square kilometre area, with a maximum depth of 160m. The lake occupies a collapsed crater & was modified by later eruptions.Read more