LAKE TAUPO AND THE HOT SPRINGS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1344, 27 January 1916, Page 41

LAKE TAUPO AND THE HOT SPRINGS.

New Zealand is remarkable for its beautiful scenery, and in no part more than in the wonderful district called by way of distinction the Hot Lakes district. It is truly called the world’s wonderland, and Lake Taupo an angler’s paradise. To see this district at its best it is necessary to leave Napier aboard one of the Hawke’s Bay Motor Company’s well-appointed coaches, in which comfort and pleasure are both combined. The road leads through Port Ahuriri, Westshore, and thence to Petane, which is the first stage of the Taupo Royal Mail line of coaches. After leaving Petane the coach ascends a hill, from the top of which a fine view of Napier and the surrounding country is obtained. The main road lies through miles of splendid scenes till Te Pohui is reached, where the passengers have luncheon. The streams and lakes around this district abound in trout and it is fast becoming a great resort for tourists and anglers. After lunch a fresh team is brought out, and the coach is soon bowling along into new scenes. The Titiokura Hill, 2250 ft. high, gives some fine expansive views of the surrounding country. After passing through some beautiful native bush, rising all the time, the coach comes out on top of Tauranga-Kuma, 2652 feet high and distant from Napier 45 miles. The descent is equally interesting. Native bush and rambling creeks all contribute to make the drive one of the keenest pleasures. A night spent at Tarawera is a pleasant break, and the morning once again sees the coach and its team on the road and passing through the enchanting Runanga Bush. After descending the hill the Waipunga river is reached, where two large branches of the river rush down a precipice over 100 ft. in height, and make up a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight. After leaving the falls the coach crosses the Kangaroa plains, remarkable for the number of wild horses to be seen at times. Soon

after lunch the first glimpse of Lake Taupo, a fine stretch of water 25 miles long by 19 miles broad and framed in hills on every side, comes nto view. In the background are to te seen Ruapehu, 9175 ft., Ngaruhoe 7515 ft., and Tongariro rising to 6458 ft., all active volcanoes and all snowcapped. A night is spent at the Terrace Hotel in great comfort. From here excursions can be made to the wonderlands around, the Aratiatia Rapids, the Huka Falls, and Wairakei, o.tuated some five miles from Taupo. All these spots are of wondrous interest, and Taupo presents great advantages over other inland resorts. It is growing rapidly in importance, and with the fine facilities afforded by the Hawke’s Bay Motor Company, Ltd., will enable tourists from Auckland and other parts to make the trip quickly and in the utmost luxury.