Taupo, Taupo District Community and Real Estate market information

About Taupo:

Taupō-nui-a-Tia, "the great cloak of Tia".

Taupo, a town of 22,000 permanent residents, nestles at the northern end of the volcanic caldera that is Lake Taupo. Of course being the destination and resort town that it is, the population increases dramatically during holiday periods.

Taupo is the adventure capital of New Zealand. Tourism activities abound, with numerous attractions on, off, or above the water! Mini-golf, hitting a hole-in-one on the water, bungy-jumping, skydiving, skiing, golfing, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, hunting - Taupo has it all for the adventure minded.

The town is orientated around its CBD, which is hemmed in by the lake and Waikato River. The residential suburbs radiate out from this focal point. Because the town is built on the walls of a caldera many homes enjoy wonderful views south over the lake down to the Central North Island mountains.

Of course Taupo the town is dominated by its lake. For the statistically minded, Lake Taupo is 46km in length, and 33km at its widest. It covers 616 square kilometres, at an average depth of 110m, with the deepest point (just off the Horomatangi reef) being 186m down. More than 30 rivers and streams enter the lake, with just one, the mighty Waikato, draining from it. Upon entering the lake, each drop of water spends an average of 10.5 years in the lake before leaving.

Taupo Shopping:

Because of its tourism focus Taupo boasts a shopping experience better than one would expect for a town of its size. But forget the cheap and nasty tourist trinkets. The CBD includes many boutique shops and smaller chain stores, providing a compact but varied experience. Of course, if the legs get tired there are plenty of cafes and coffee shops available to sit, refresh, and replenish at. Taupo does not have extensive "big box" retail, but development along Spa Road is seeing more coming. The town is served by 2 supermarkets, along with several specialist food stores/markets.

Eating Out:

Tuwheretoa Street is where it all happens for food and night life (although there are a number of good restaurants located around the township as well). Tastes of all types are well catered for. You can enjoy a gourmet burger, steak, Indian, or typical kiwi fare in the CBD, or travel out a little for a quiet restaurant meal overlooking the lake at one of the hotels/motor inns, or specialist restaurants.

Information Supplied by:

Grant Wakelin