Taupo

As jb mentioned on her page, this is a magical place. Across the lake can be seen the three major mountains of the north Island - Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe.

There is a maori legend that talks about how the locations of these mountains happened and why Mt Egmont (Taranaki) is now in Wellington.

The Story of the Mountains

In the days of the gods, many mountains lived together beside Lake Taupo. The largest were Ruapehu, Taranaki (Egmont), Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.

Tongariro loved and married a dainty little mountain, Pilanga, who lived nearby.

Taranaki also loved Pihanga but Tongariro became angry and with great fire drove Taranaki westward.

As he fled, Taranaki cut a deep channel, the Wanganui River, coming to rest by the sea where he remains.

The Lake

The volcanos on the lake.

Mt Ruapehu erupting behind The Grand Chateau.

Other places of interests around Taupo

The Lodge - where the toffs stay overlooking Huka Falls

The Rocking Ropes complete with Welsh and Canadian Flags.