Lake Taupo ...

Here we are in Lake Taupo with the three various volcanoes. When we arrived we went straight to the I site which has lots of information on not just Taupo but on a lot of other places. We asked them to price up various activities and the swing over Lake Taupo was going to be $120 pp and meant we had no time to do or see anything else that day as we arrived around 12pm from leaving around 10.45am from Rangitaiki.

So we decided to do the geothermal pool which are slightly north of Lake Taupo but has a lot areas arond to see different things too and it was $55 for both of us to do and could stay there until 5pm.

We had seen a burger fuel on our way into Lake Taupo and it was on our bucket list to try whilst we were in NZ as they are a NZ founded company. We got a burger each , the size of our head, and kumara chips (sweet potato) each with alioli dip and a honey coke and normal coke. It came to $40 so very expensive but sooo worth it, they were gorgeous and worth every penny as a treat. They also still fitted into our budget. They even have special cardboard holders called doofers , just so your burger doesn't slide out the bottom.

After this gorgeous lunch, we made our way up to the geothermal pools but stopped off at Huka falls first which took around 20 minutes to drive to and is on the way but is a must see. It was amazing to watch the powerful water cascade down the river and join the lake at the bottom where you can go on the Huka Jet that drives right up to the bottom for $120 for 2 people.

We then made our way up to Wai-O-Tapu where the geothermal pools are. We got there around 2.30pm and were told that we had until 5pm to do it all. It's a big park so we basically looked and things and took pictures then moved on and just made it back. However they do send someone out to make sure everyone that signed it is signed back out. Also because we missed the exploding geyser which erupts at 10.15am , he stamped our ticket to get back in to see it the next day, but we didn't have time. The pools were amazing, so many to see including a walk up to a volcano that is filled with water. Waiotapu - click here for website.

We then made our way to the mud pools which is five minutes around the corner and can be seen for free. These were really interesting and are well signposted from the geothermal pools.

We had been advised to visit Te Puke from here and decided this is where we would camp for the night. We stayed in Te Puke holiday camp for $20 and had all the amenities you need but resembled a traveller's site but one in need of a massive overhaul. We would not stay here again and Te Puke seemed like there was nothing to do there either apart from a Kiwi farm so we wouldn't return.

Another day in NZ , and we still don't want to leave.... S&L xxx