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Go for a paddle or take a dip – nothing beats a lakeside retreat for beating the heat
Lake Taupo
Whether sunbathing on the sandy shore, practicing your swing on one of the area’s golf courses, soaking in a mineral spa, or diving off a towering cliff, Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s ultimate lakeside holiday destination. Lying amid daunting volcanoes, verdant mountainsides, and snow-capped peaks, this treasured fresh-water lake is the largest in the southern hemisphere and boasts such eye-popping scenery that Peter Jackson staged much of his Lord of the Rings film trilogy here. The mountainous terrain is a favorite ski spot for winter enthusiasts, but it’s also a terrific spa destination, as natural bubbling mineral springs abound in the area. What’s more, adrenaline junkies can still get their thrills here come summer, as white-water rafting, jet-skiing, skydiving, parasailing, and bungee jumping are all on the itinerary. Taupo also has its fair share of fine luxury: the nearby Huka Lodge (www.hukalodge.co.nz) ranks as one of the world’s top lodges, and has catered to the Queen of England on more than one occasion.
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