Paddling near Taupo, Waikato

Taupo sits on the northern shore of Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake and a volcanic caldera in the Waikato region. The area draws paddlers to both the lake's clear, expansive water and the Waikato River, which begins its journey here. Iconic destinations include the Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay — accessible only by water — and the geothermal reaches of the upper Waikato.