Top 10 Rotorua
'My Guide Rotorua' local experts have picked their top 10 activities to do in Rotorua, the adventure capital of the North Island of New Zealand.
Visit our New Zealand websites:
Taupo, New Zealand Cities
Taupo, New Zealand Cities - Taupo Travel, New Zealand, Taupo
Travel Videos HD, World Travel Guide
Taupo is a town on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Taupo District Council and lies in the southern Waikato Region.
Taupo has a population of 23,100 (June 2013 estimate). In 1953, Taupo was officially constituted as a borough, but from 1989 it has been administered by the Taupo District Council, the district including both Taupo itself and the surrounding hinterland. Despite this, it is occasionally referred to as a city. It is the 20th largest urban area in New Zealand, and the second-largest in the Waikato Region (behind Hamilton).
The name Taupo, by which the town is commonly known, is the shortened version of its full name, Taupō-nui-a-Tia. Literally translated from Māori language, Taupō-nui-a-Tia means The great cloak of Tia, where Tia is the name of the discoverer of the lake.
In 2009 a team of Taupo citizens won the TV2 programme Top Town.
Geography
Taupo is located at the outlet of Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, in the northeast part of the lake where it discharges to the Waikato River. The river flows over one of New Zealand's most spectacular waterfalls, Huka Falls, a short distance north of the town. Taupo is a centre of volcanic and geothermal activity and hot springs suitable for bathing are located at several places in the vicinity. The volcanic mountain of Mount Tauhara lies six kilometres (4 mi) to the east. Some forested area exists near Taupo, with understory vegetation consisting of certain shrubs and ferns.
Somewhat to the northeast are significant hot springs. These springs are the site of occurrence of certain extremophile micro-organisms, that are capable of surviving in extremely hot environments.
Lake Taupo Lodge, Taupo Fishing Lodge, LakeFun Taupo, Lake Taupo, Huka Falls, Turangi, Tourism New Zealand, Taupo New Zealand, Tourism and Travel Directory, Taupo New Zealand Travel, Taupo NZ Information, Taupo Hotels, Hilton Lake Taupo, wotif taupo new zealand, weather taupo new zealand, skydive taupo new zealand, time in taupo new zealand, new zealand couriers taupo, taupo bungy new zealand, taupo hospital new zealand, taupo waikato new zealand
Taupo is situated on a stretch of State Highway 1, running concurrently with State Highway 5. It is situated 53 km North of Turangi. It is one of the few centres in New Zealand that were never linked to the rail network.
The small but growing satellite town of Kinloch, where a Jack Nicklaus golf resort is being constructed, is 20 kilometres west along the lake.
Neighbourhoods
Taupo's neighbourhoods include:
Wharewaka
Nukuhau lies north of the Waikato River. To the south west lies Acacia Bay and to the south lies Taupo town centre.
Richmond Heights lies to the east of Rainbow Point and south of Mountain View. It is home to the Waipahihi Primary School, Richmond Heights shopping center, and the Waipahihi Botanical Gardens.
Mount View
Acacia Bay
Rainbow Point . It lies north of Wharewaka and west of Richmond Heights. To the west lies Lake Taupo.
Tauhara lies just north of Hilltop and east of Mount View. Mount Tauhara lies just east of Tauhara. Tauhara is the location of Tauhara primary school, Tauhara College and Tauhara Golf course.
Hilltop lies south of Tauhara. Hilltop is the location of Hilltop School, Taupo Intermediate School, the Taupo Hospital, the Taharepa shopping centre and the Hilltop shopping centre.
Gradwell is a suburb of Taupo. To the south lies Rainbow Point to the north is Hilltop. Gradwell is the location of the Waipahihi Botanical Gardens.
Taupo CBD
Five Mile Bay is located on the east side of Lake Taupo, south of Wharewaka and north of Waitahanui on State Highway 1 just west of the Taupo Airport. It is a popular swimming/water skiing beach which gets very busy in summer. Five Mile Bay is one of three similar named bays along the lake shoreline, the others being Two Mile Bay and Three Mile Bay.
Wairakei
Waitahanui
Climate
The climate of Taupo is cold and windy when compared to other parts of the North Island. It is due to the town being located inland which results in the accumulation of dry air causing severe frost during winter. However snowfall in Taupo is rare, although snow fell on August 2011 due to a prolonged cold period in New Zealand. The summer climate in Taupo is mild with maximum temperature reaching 23 degrees and with a minimum of 10 degrees.
10 Kittyhawk Drive, Kinloch
VIEW: nzsothebysrealty.com/TAUP0101
This Frank Lloyd Wright inspired luxury residence raises the bar both in location and execution. On offer for the first time since construction this majestic home sits overlooking the resort village of Kinloch, nestled above Whangamata Bay in handy traveling distance to Taupo and the ski fields of Mt Ruapehu.
Enter through a pivot door and be captivated by a two story wall of schist stone with trickling water cascading to a pool below and enhanced with feature lighting. Take the stairway of solid Eucalyptus Salingna to a glass bridge on the upper level, where various timber features are: stunning plywood ceiling panels, a Eucalyptus breakfast bar and accent wall screens, cedar panelling and timber finishes around floor to ceiling glazing- all evocative touches favoured by the great American architect.
The upper gallery has open plan living with a formal lounge separated from the kitchen / dining area by a double sided gas fire encased in a full length schist column. Full length glass sliders open to balconies on three sides with the adjoining outdoor living, encompassing a glass enclosed spa, concrete paved outdoor living and petanque court all with views from this elevated site. There are tiled ensuites for the three double bedrooms upstairs, a powder room, office nook and lift with this level having a glass atrium to the ground floor. On the lower gallery there is a dedicated media room, powder room, fourth bathroom and two more bedrooms with glass doors to a private courtyard. The two garages are both doubles one with laundry and other with a Mercedes Benz and lake boat included.
Fully automated, this home has garden irrigation, discreet outdoor lighting, underfloor heating, surround sound, and the ability to set the home to Vacation Mode when you are not in residence.
Enjoying views of the Kinloch Club, the renown links course nearby, and views over the sparkling waters of Lake Taupo, it is a superb vantage point and will provide an enviable lifestyle.
Kinloch Campsite Tour and Review | Best Campsites and Campgrounds New Zealand
Kinloch campsite is located just west of Glenorchy and is a popular spot for visitors leaving Queenstown to go check out the filming site for Isengard from the Lord of the Rings films. It is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Review:
Kinloch Campsite has some great views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. The sound of the river outside the van made for a good nights sleep. Additionally, the lodge across the street had great food and drinks ready to go for the hungry or thirsty traveler. The owners of the lodge manage the campground and are really friendly and run a great business across the street.
Additionally, apple tree on site that was full of fruit when we visited in March!
Unfortunately, Kinloch campsite turned out to be one of our least favorite campsites during our 6 week road trip. The Kinloch motorcamp was small and waterlogged.
Part of the campsite was closed down because some of the riverbank had been washed away by the river recently. The rest of the site was pretty muddy as well. There was a discarded tire axle next to one of the trees and the access road was full of rather large potholes for how short it was. The water and mud weren't a result of too much rain either- just to the side of the campground there is a really swampy area and the campsite area is not at a much higher elevation.
It's a wet slog through the mud to get to the long drop toilet.
Site Details:
15 Unpowered Sites
Nonselfcontained allowed
$6/person to camp
$10/person to shower across the street
Water tap on site does not provide drinking water (Really murky water-not your usual clean lake or stream water)
Boat ramp on site
Long drop toilet on site
The best of NZ:
Tasty words and the interesting info on New Zealand:
Pretty Pictures from our travels (that we didn't steal from other people!)
Instagram: Worldtravelerhd
Music Courtesy of:
Bensound-Acoustic Breeze bensound.com
What are the Best Free Campsites in New Zealand?
Hardip asked: Do you have any recommendations for campsites for self-contained vehicles in New Zealand? We talk about free campsites in New Zealand. We go over free campgrounds in New Zealand.
-- LINKS REFERENCED IN THIS VIDEO –
10 Free Campsites on the North Island ►►
10 Free Campsites on the South Island ►►
Remutaka Forest Walk with Free Campsite [VIDEO] ►►
Timber Trail MTB Trail with Free Campsite [VIDEO] ►►
Waiaurahiri Jet near Free Campsite [VIDEO] ►►
-- GOT A NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL QUESTION? --
BackpackerGuide.NZ hosts weekly LIVE New Zealand Travel Q&As every Sunday at 8am NZDT. (Saturday 2pm Central US, Saturday 7pm Central Europe, and 12.30am India).
Alternatively, leave your New Zealand travel question in the comments below! We’ll be happy to reply to your answer and we might even feature it in our next Q&A video!
-- ABOUT THIS VIDEO –
We talk about freedom camping sites in New Zealand and where to camp for free in New Zealand.
#BackpackerGuideNZ #NewZealand #NZMustDo
New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year ►►
BackpackerGuide.NZ Website ►►
-- CONNECT ON SOCIAL –
YouTube Channel ►►
FB ►►
IG ►►
Pinterest ►►
Twitter ►►
-- ABOUT BACKPACKERGUIDE.NZ –
BackpackerGuide.NZ is the largest travel guide to New Zealand on the BackpackerGuide.NZ website and on YouTube! Our goal is to help you plan an epic trip in New Zealand! We cover all aspects of the work, travel and living experience in New Zealand, whether you’re looking for a family vacation in New Zealand or doing a working holiday in New Zealand. We give you practical New Zealand travel advice, as well as New Zealand destination inspiration. Make sure to subscribe to BackpackerGuide.NZ to see our New Zealand travel tips several times a week!
Subscribe to our Channel ►►
The Cutest Town | Kinloch | Taupo
Kinloch is the cutest little town and the perfect spot for a ice cream and a swim on a summers day.
Located on Lake Taupo, Kinloch is famous for its pontoon so make sure you swim out and take a dive.
For more things to do around NZ subscribe to our channel.
Top 10 New Zealand hotels with lake view
Top 10 New Zealand hotels with lake view
Hotel The Alpine Retreat
Apartments Kauri House Apartment
Hotel Mt Michael Lodge
Hotel Tickled Trout B&B
Hotel Country Lodge Kinloch
Hotel High Leys Lodge
Hotel Lakestone Lodge
Hotel Hulbert House
Hotel B&B @ Number Ten
Hotel Te Moenga Lodge
Centennial House Taupo
Centennial House set on 5 acres of lush park like grounds, stroll around and discover hidden treasures among the beautiful mature trees, stunning private gardens and water features.
This 5 star luxury boutique lodge can cater for every occasion be it an amazing Wedding, family retreat or romantic weekend getaway.
The lodge offers six spacious deluxe suites each with there own unique interior styling complete with en-suite and private lounge areas, air conditioning, sky TV and free WiFi.
A full cooked breakfast is available daily or a continental style breakfast by request.
The light and airy kitchen with connected lounges and outdoor conservatory offer a retreat for guests to relax and socialise.
Nestled amongst the trees in is a self contained unique historic villa The Pavilion Suite formally the Taupo Cricket Pavilion.
Conveniently located opposite the Taupo horse racing track and Bruce McLaren Motorsports Park, ample free parking available for trailers or boats and just down the road from the Taupo Golf Club and famed trout fishing waters of the Waitahanui River.
Glenorchy-Paradise road, Queenstown 2018
Glenorchy, Paradise road, Mt Aspiring National Park
Routeburn track, nature walk on 20 August 2018.
* Music
John Williams - Heitor Villa-Lobos : Five Preludes
Prelude No. 3 in A minor: Andante - Molto adagio
Note -
I declare all my uploads to be for personal entertainment purposes and non-profit uses only, no infringement intended.
I do not own the copyright if any, in the video all rights go to the author or authorities.
From Rotorua to Lake Taupo {De Rotorua au Lac Taupo} | VLOG 003
Day 2 New Zealand Road Trip | North Island
And the road trip continues!!! This is 2 out of 5 days road trip across the North Island of New Zealand