family on holiday

Water slides, river adventure and nature discovery would have to be the ultimate ingredients for a good family holiday. Of course, with young kids, there has to be plenty of action, but combine all that with a relaxing soak in a hot mineral pool each night ... and now you’re talking parent language too!

PTO for more on Taupo

in the watertaupo debretts mineral hot poolsAs our base, we swam here twice a day. The kids could have played all day on the Dragon slide and warm water playground. www.taupodebretts.co.nz (or see ‘STAY’ further on in the story for more details)

ac bathsRecently refurbished, this warm water park is full of slides, rope swings, bridges and plenty of places for the kids to swim underwater and dive. Also has a cafe, some undercover areas in case of bad weather, and is right next to The Edge Indoor Rockwall. www.taupovenues.co.nz

tokaanu hot poolsAfter an energetic afternoon rafting on the Tongariro, it was really nice to take the kids to a decent-sized, private mineral pool where we could chill a bit and enjoy the luxury of it being just for us. They are warm though, so the kids can’t last too long and remember, no heads under the water. Preschoolers are free. www.nzhotpools.co.nz (search: Tokaanu thermal pools)

otumuheke stream, spa parkFree to visit, these naturally-formed mineral pools merge with the cold Waikato River. Find your ideal temperature, while the kids enjoy clambering around the rocky pools and playing under the mini waterfalls. We kayaked down river to have a soak, but you can also walk there from Spa Road. www.nzhotpools.co.nz (search: Otumuheke stream spa park)

on the waterthe squeeze with nz riverjetA real favourite for our kids because, of course, who could resist speeding boats (not too scary though) and an adventure through narrow rock crevasses to discover a hot waterfall. It was like a Journey to Middle Earth. NZ Riverjet were great with the kids every step of the way. www.riverjet.co.nz

the waikato river kayak cruiseKayaking is a very peaceful way to be adventurous with the kids. Learn about the water flow, the Waikato, have a soak in natural hotpools on the riverbank and let the older kids feel independent on the water (younger kids shared a boat with us). www.rapids.co.nz

tongariro river rafting float tripWith younger kids, we chose the easier rapids, which still produced plenty of excitement and screaming from our crew. Rafting can’t help but produce smiles, and the youthful, yet experienced, TRR guides know how to relate to the kids. Great fun! www.trr.co.nz

actionaction worldThe ultimate blow-up playground, designed to give kids quick success. My son is hooked on the trapeze. There are areas for little ones too and, if you’ve been to Action World elsewhere before, Taupo has a few unique activities on offer. www.actionworldtaupo.co.nz

huka prawn parkWe could have stayed here all day! Fishing for prawns is unexpectedly very addictive, and easy for the kids to manage the process themselves. Pay to get in, then keep what you catch ... we became far too relaxed idling the day away on the mini jetties under large umbrellas. Although, we did manage to drag ourselves to the restaurant and scoff large amounts of garlic prawns. www.hukaprawnpark.co.nz

adventure mini golf turangiBased around the terrain of the Central Plateau, expect to see a river rafting challenge including a water feature and the Grand Chateau, complete with windows and doors. Like most kids, ours could play mini golf all day, even if they do squabble, cheat and fly around at lightning speed - doing far more circuits than they should! www.greatlaketaupo.com (search: Adventure Mini Golf)

Rafting on the Tongariro with TRR

Great fun on the shark slide at the AC baths

Baby trout at the Tongariro National Trout Centre

15 Auckland APRIL/MAY 2013TOTS TO TEENS

We really saw Great Lake Taupo through fresh eyes when we ventured off for a week with the kids. Some days were just so chilled-out, others had us bouncing down rapids on the Tongariro River. We tried new things and made little discoveries ... there is so much ‘natural adventure’

around. That’s what we loved the most: how so many of the activities are very much linked to the area ... rafting, jet boating, geothermal parks, Huka Falls, hot waterfalls and prawn fishing. For the kids, they were experiencing ‘Taupo’ - not just any destination with a host of fun rides and activities.

the great lake adventureMarinovich family

Keen for your kids to really see what clean, green New Zealand is all about? Here’s a mix of indoor and outdoor activities we chose:

Mastering the trapeze at Action World

The 9th hole at Adventure Mini Golf in Turangi

F irst catch of the day at Huka Prawn Park, eaten with garlic butter shortly after

The hot waterfall through the Squeeze with NZ Riverjet

family on holiday

16APRIL/MAY 2013 Auckland TOTS TO TEENS

kids’ favourite discoveries

• Hot water waterfall alongside the Waikato River

(the Squeeze Riverjet)

• Rare blue duck spotted while rafting on the Tongariro

(River Rafting)

• Pumice stone collected around the Lake

• Hot water rock pools on the Waikato river (while Kayaking,

or off Spa Road)

• The delicious taste of trout cooked in butter and sprinkled

with roasted almonds and lemon zest

did you knowThere is no sulphur smell in Taupo (just a little when you are very near to a mud pool or geothermal escape hole).

The Great Lake Taupo area includes Turangi, Tongariro and Mangakino.

There are seven rivers pouring into the Lake, but only the Waikato River comes out.

Lake Taupo is actually a Volcanic Lake sitting on one of the six super volcanoes scattered around the world.

If you use Taupo as a base or tag-on to a skiing holiday, it is only 1 hour 25 mins drive to Whakapapa and 1 hour 55 mins drive to Ohakune.

In the middle of winter, some water activities are closed because the Lake is too cold.

The mineral pools at DeBretts are emptied and refi lled every night!

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stayWe stayed at De Bretts in a two bedroom chalet. This family-friendly resort made our holiday really comfortable and easy on so many levels. The kitchen facilities were clean and modern, making it easy to prep lunches and have simple dinners in the chalet. It was very warm and quiet, so sleep came easily for all of us. The most exciting part of DeBretts however, particularly for the kids, was the access to the hot pools. The kids would have been just as happy to never leave the premises, and to simply exist between chalet, cafe and hot pools. We took a trip down most mornings and every evening, which brought on the most restful slumber I’ve ever had.

You can go to the hot pools as part of your stay at DeBretts (chalet, units or campsite), or simply pay to go in if you’re staying somewhere else. They have two large mineral pools and 12 private pools fed by a natural geothermal spring, the Onekeneke. There are two cooler fresh water pools for those who like to swim and dive around (because you can’t put your head under in the mineral pools). The Dragon water slide is very exciting; it’s fast and swirling in some parts. My kids described it as having more whoosh than swish, so defi nitely not too tame for our daredevil boys. For kids who like it a bit more low-key, the warm water splash area is fabulous. Warm water spurting out everywhere, things to climb on, places to chase friends and all safely fenced-in, so parents can easily keep an eye on things.

the edge indoor rockwall taupoHead here on a rainy day, or to help the kids burn up a bit of energy. The wall is very large and impressive, but also has a good area for younger kids or beginner climbers. Alongside the AC Baths. www.taupovenues.co.nz

mountain biking along the tongariro river trailWe hired bikes at the Tongariro River Rafting depot, and rode the new River Trail to the Trout Centre. Nice wide trails and lovely scenery. www.greatlaketaupo.com (search: Tongariro_River_Trail)

lion express trainIf you have preschoolers, this little train is right beside the park on the lake and runs a circuit around the gardens. Even big kids secretly like this. Visit Taupo I-SITE for times.

discoveryorakei korakoDefi nitely the best display of thermal activity. We loved the experience here: the little boat ride, the native bush, the board walks and, of course, the geysers. The landscape is like an artist’s palate with steaming, bubbling mud and pools. Science made fun. Not suitable for prams or children who can’t stay on the path. www.orakeikorako.co.nz

craters of the moonYou can take the little ones here as this is very pram-friendly, and easy on the pocket. It’s quite warm, so plan for an hour during cooler times of the day in summer. You will see bubbling mud pools, steam holes and boiling water. www.cratersofthemoon.co.nz

volcanic activity centreFor kids who love science and volcanoes, they can touch, push, see and hear all about it at this Centre. We were keen to teach our budding scientist a bit of background before we hit the sights. www.volcanoes.co.nz

tongariro national trout centreThis was a surprisingly picturesque and well laid-out centre, teaching kids (and adults) all about trout. Check out our Tots to Teens tile on the sponsors’ wall. See www.troutcentre.com for kids’ fi shing and family events.

free activitiesThe free activities in Taupo are fun for the kids, so mix up both paid and free activities to make your budget stretch a bit further.

• Huka Falls along the Spa road walk

• Aratiatia Dam (dam is opened at 10am, 12pm and 2pm each day)

• Hot water mineral pools alongside the Waikato on Spa Road

• Playground on the lake and the Skate Park

• Honey Hive shop

• Walks around Taupo and Tongariro (pick up a Lake Taupo Guide to Walks and Hikes from the Taupo or Turangi I-SITE Visitors Centres)

ages and stages

stayA speedy exit from the dragon slide at DeBretts hot pools

manage the foodOf course, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Taupo. We had a chalet with a kitchen, so packed up our own lunches each day and plenty of snacks. This was a lifesaver, because the kids would be ravenous after an activity, and it was great to have good healthy food on hand, rather than have to go and fi nd a place to suit all palates and wallets. Take a chilly bin and thermos, plus drink bottle for everyone.

save money on petrolWe learnt so much about preserving energy and protecting the environment from our Guides in Taupo, that we felt really quite good about ditching our thirsty old Volvo and trying out a new eco-friendly Honda Odyssey. Nice big comfy seats for everyone and we saved $88 in petrol. Bonus: that was one extra full day at The Huka Prawn Farm for the family!

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The new Tongariro River Trail - not too

diffi cult and very picturesque

g out o

oom chalet This family-friendly resort made

Fun for all ages at DeBretts warm-water playground

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The tranquil Lion Express Train through the garden

under-5sLion Express Train

5- to 8-yearsHuka Prawn Farm

9- to 12-yearsThe Squeeze with NZ Riverjet

all agesDe Bretts hot pools with water slide and kids’ warm water playground

must do's