New Zealand’s Summer Magic

If you haven’t visited New Zealand in spring or summer before you are in for a real treat with spectacular scenery and a wide range of outdoor activities, plus signature wining and dining.

Lake Taupo, the setting for Te Kowhai Landing, is a real favourite of mine, the largest freshwater lake in New Zealand, surrounded by snow dusted mountain peaks that you could sit and gaze at for hours on end.

>> Destination Taupo, Weekends For Two

While contemplation can be very therapeutic, there’s something in the air here that makes you just have to go exploring, whether it’s a cruise on the lake, an action-packed adventure such as white water rafting the Waikato or Wairoa Rivers or a spectacular scenic flight over waterfalls, volcanoes and geothermal areas that have to be seen to be believed.

Close to Taupo take a Huka Jet jetboat ride or sign up with Taupo Tandem Skydiving for a different view of your surroundings. There’s no need to worry about things to do, you’re in New Zealand now and activities like canonying, kayaking, mountain biking are easily arranged. Or you can test your driving skills at the wheel of a race-prepared Challenge single seater car around the Taupo Racing Circuit.

If Taupo rings a bell but you can’t think why, it may be because it is a very special place to fish with an annual calendar of fishing temptations that makes it hard for anglers to resist. Think elusive brown trout in the Tongariro River which flows into the southern end of Lake Taupo, great for dry-fly fishing on warm summer evenings, I am assured, and the kind of place you could find yourself rubbing shoulders with film stars and royalty.

Hungry? Taupo township has an inviting village feel with cafes, bars and restaurants with lakeside dining a lovely summer option.