Taupo (Pop: 22,100) is located on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, on the northern edge of the volcanic plateau, 280kms southwest of Auckland, 82kms southwest of Rotorua and 380kms north of Wellington and is renown for its trout fishing mecca.

Lake Taupo, an extinct volcano that last erupted in AD186. Lake Taupo is 616 square kilometres. New Zealand's longest river - the Waikato River forms the outflow from the Lake that flows from east to west. 

The rivers that flow and out of Lake Taupo are full of trout. Taupo is a major junction for travelling south of Auckland and north of Wellington or east to Napier and Hastings.

Taupo is a tourist centre, particularly in the summer, as it offers panoramic views over the lake and to the volcanic mountains of Tongariro National Park to the south.

Taupo services a number of surrounding plantation pine forests including Kaingaroa Forest, the largest manmade forest in the world, and related industry. A large sawmill is sited approximated 3 km to the north east of the town on Centennial Drive. 

The Wairakei geothermal power station is a few kilometres north of the town.

There is a wide range of activities to do in Taupo ranging from visiting wineries, white water rafting, jet boating, visiting the world famous Huka Falls, Wairakei geo thermal, mountain biking, to name a few of the many activities that are available.

The Taupo region has its own thermal area and can be used as a ski base for the Whakakapapa and Turoa Skifields on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu.

Taupo is a major coach/bus hub for various coach/bus operators providing regular daily services from Taupo to Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North and Wellington. 

Air New Zealand Link operates daily services from Auckland and Wellington to Taupo. 

There are no passenger train/rail services from Taupo to Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier/Hastings, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North or Wellington.