Fabled Lake

As Highway 5 skirts the eastern shore of Lake Taupo, it crosses a number of sparkling tributary streams flowing swiftly down from the Kaimanawa Mountains. Many anglers cast their lines near the mouths of these tributaries. Others prefer the waters of Lake Taupo or the famed trout pools of the snow fed Tongariro River.

Just how good is the fishing? Wildlife authorities ,estimate that about 700 tons of trout are caught annually in Lake Taupo. Here, rainbows weigh in at 3 and 1/2 to 6 pounds, and brown trout average more than 5 pounds. Most of the main fishing streams, including the Tongariro River, enter the lake near its southern tip. River fishhing is best here from April to August during the spawning runs. Streams flowing into the lake from the west can be reached only by boat.

The town of Turangi owes its growth to construction of nearby Tongariro hydroelectric power project and expansion of the district's farming and forest industries. Learn about local recreation, the power plant, and area history and geology at the Power Project Information Office, alongside Highway 41 at Turangi.

Nearby Tokaanu has a small thermal reserve with pools, boiling mud, geysers, and a small bathhouse. Paul's Anglican Church, decorated in Maori style with tututuku panels and painted rafters, memorializes early missionaries.

A side road off Highway 41 leads to Waihi, a picturesque Maori village backed by a steep wooded cliff. West of Turangi, the scenic Pihanga Saddle Road climbs to a viewpoint overlooking Lake Taupo and winds through luxuriant forest. About 10 km/6 miles southwest of Tokaanu, a signposted trail leads south from the road to Lake Rotopounamu, a small green lake nestled in a greenery rimmed crater. A naturalist's delight, the 25minute walk winds through forest abundant with ferns.

Just south of the road's intersection with Highway 47 stand the fortifications of Te Porere pa, site of the last major engagement of the Land Wars in 1869.