Taupo, New Zealand Cities - Taupo Travel, New Zealand, Taupo Travel Videos HD, World Travel Guide http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=World1Tube Taupo is a town on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Taupo District Council and lies in the southern Waikato Region. Taupo has a population of 23,100 (June 2013 estimate). In 1953, Taupo was officially constituted as a borough, but from 1989 it has been administered by the Taupo District Council, the district including both Taupo itself and the surrounding hinterland. Despite this, it is occasionally referred to as a city. It is the 20th largest urban area in New Zealand, and the second-largest in the Waikato Region (behind Hamilton). The name Taupo, by which the town is commonly known, is the shortened version of its full name, Taupō-nui-a-Tia. Literally translated from Māori language, Taupō-nui-a-Tia means "The great cloak of Tia", where Tia is the name of the discoverer of the lake. In 2009 a team of Taupo citizens won the TV2 programme Top Town. Geography Taupo is located at the outlet of Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, in the northeast part of the lake where it discharges to the Waikato River. The river flows over one of New Zealand's most spectacular waterfalls, Huka Falls, a short distance north of the town. Taupo is a centre of volcanic and geothermal activity and hot springs suitable for bathing are located at several places in the vicinity. The volcanic mountain of Mount Tauhara lies six kilometres (4 mi) to the east. Some forested area exists near Taupo, with understory vegetation consisting of certain shrubs and ferns. Somewhat to the northeast are significant hot springs. These springs are the site of occurrence of certain extremophile micro-organisms, that are capable of surviving in extremely hot environments. Lake Taupo Lodge, Taupo Fishing Lodge, LakeFun Taupo, Lake Taupo, Huka Falls, Turangi, Tourism New Zealand, Taupo New Zealand, Tourism and Travel Directory, Taupo New Zealand Travel, Taupo NZ Information, Taupo Hotels, Hilton Lake Taupo, wotif taupo new zealand, weather taupo new zealand, skydive taupo new zealand, time in taupo new zealand, new zealand couriers taupo, taupo bungy new zealand, taupo hospital new zealand, taupo waikato new zealand Taupo is situated on a stretch of State Highway 1, running concurrently with State Highway 5. It is situated 53 km North of Turangi. It is one of the few centres in New Zealand that were never linked to the rail network. The small but growing satellite town of Kinloch, where a Jack Nicklaus golf resort is being constructed, is 20 kilometres west along the lake. Neighbourhoods Taupo's neighbourhoods include: Wharewaka Nukuhau lies north of the Waikato River. To the south west lies Acacia Bay and to the south lies Taupo town centre. Richmond Heights lies to the east of Rainbow Point and south of Mountain View. It is home to the Waipahihi Primary School, Richmond Heights shopping center, and the Waipahihi Botanical Gardens. Mount View Acacia Bay Rainbow Point . It lies north of Wharewaka and west of Richmond Heights. To the west lies Lake Taupo. Tauhara lies just north of Hilltop and east of Mount View. Mount Tauhara lies just east of Tauhara. Tauhara is the location of Tauhara primary school, Tauhara College and Tauhara Golf course. Hilltop lies south of Tauhara. Hilltop is the location of Hilltop School, Taupo Intermediate School, the Taupo Hospital, the Taharepa shopping centre and the Hilltop shopping centre. Gradwell is a suburb of Taupo. To the south lies Rainbow Point to the north is Hilltop. Gradwell is the location of the Waipahihi Botanical Gardens. Taupo CBD Five Mile Bay is located on the east side of Lake Taupo, south of Wharewaka and north of Waitahanui on State Highway 1 just west of the Taupo Airport. It is a popular swimming/water skiing beach which gets very busy in summer. Five Mile Bay is one of three similar named bays along the lake shoreline, the others being Two Mile Bay and Three Mile Bay. Wairakei Waitahanui Climate The climate of Taupo is cold and windy when compared to other parts of the North Island. It is due to the town being located inland which results in the accumulation of dry air causing severe frost during winter. However snowfall in Taupo is rare, although snow fell on August 2011 due to a prolonged cold period in New Zealand. The summer climate in Taupo is mild with maximum temperature reaching 23 degrees and with a minimum of 10 degrees.

• published: 16 Apr 2014
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