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Parasail, Lake Taupo

January 9, 2010 By Carl View Comments

So Today I headed down to the lake front at Taupo, and hooked up with Big Sky Parasail, the day was a real beauty, crystal clear sky and flat blue water, the perfect mix for a great flight. http://www.bigskyparasail.co.nz/

I was greeted by Stephanie and she warmly welcomed me and my fellow ‘sailers,’ soon enough we were on the boat and heading out to the middle of the lake.  I was kitted up in a harness and in no time guided to the launching deck, I did feel some nerves as I’m a bit (how do I say this) I scared of heights, there it is, I’ve said it! Anyway I’m sitting on the deck with the parachute behind me and soon I’m flying above the boat, it was so smooth and funnily enough, in about 3 minutes you are 400 feet above the water, I had no fear at all about the height.

The highlight was when the boat slowed and I started to sink back down towards the lake, the overwhelming sensation is how peaceful it is, a surreal experience indeed.

After about 10 minutes I was slowly reeled back to the boat, and then the captain decided that I should wet my feet.

I can really recommend this experience, Big Sky Parasailing operates for the summer months in Taupo, just a little advice, take something warm to wear, sitting on the boat can be a little chill esp. if you are going first thing in the morning.

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Filed Under: Adventure Activities, General, Taupo Tagged With: , ,

Hole In 1 Golf Lake Taupo

January 3, 2010 By Carl View Comments

Today is one of those beautiful days in Taupo, two days into the new year, so I headed down to the lake front and though I would try my hand at the Hole in one golf challenge.

This activity is pretty self explanatory, you grab a club and try and hit the golf ball 100 metres onto a platform anchored in the lake.

Clubs ready and waiting

Clubs ready and waiting

There is also a long driving range

There is also a long driving range

The target!

The target!

With over 10,000 balls a day aimed at the target, the appeal is obvious, and there you don’t have to be a golfer to have a crack at it.

I play a little and found my range pretty quickly, a 9 iron my club of choice. I bounced off the target a few times, but never managed the elusive goal of a “hole in one”

Be sure to have a crack next time you are passing through Lake Taupo, for your next Holiday, you can’t miss it it’s located right on the shores  of Lake Taupo

Oh and in case you are wondering, there is a team of Divers who three times a day recover the balls

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Filed Under: Family Stuff, General, Taupo Tagged With: , ,

Puzzle World Lake Taupo

December 30, 2009 By Carl View Comments

Puzzle World is located just 10 minutes north of Lake Taupo on SH 5, it, as the name suggests a puzzle world, from a maze that takes at least 20 minutes to complete, (you have to find questions and answers). I went today and very quickly 2 hours had disappeared, there is a virtual Golf driver there, along with Laser clay bird shooting and even a bow with laser arrow tip, (I scored about 85% with clay birds, but not so well with the Bow, will have to go back and improve) So what else can you do there, well a drum machine is located in a sound proof studio, you can navigate boats around a pool, or just sit and have a coffee while the kids (and you) try to solve the puzzles on the tables.

So the cost is free entry, then you pay per attraction, from $2 to set of the amazing scale railway to about $6 per person for the maze, and $10 for the laser shooting or golf.

TravelMonkee really recommends Puzzle world next time you visit Lake Taupo, make sure to put it on you list of holiday items, I found the staff to be very friendly and quiet good at solving some of the free puzzles on the tables!

http://www.taupopuzzleworld.com/Puzzle_World/Welcome.html

Lake Taupo Puzzle World

Lake Taupo Puzzle World

Giant Traffic Jam

Giant Traffic Jam

Be bambozzled in the maze!

Be bambozzled in the maze!

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Filed Under: Family Stuff, Taupo Tagged With: , ,

Lake Taupo Summer Top 10

December 22, 2009 By Carl View Comments

Our top 10 spring edition of Lake Taupo was one of our most popular reads http://travelmonkee.co.nz/?p=358 so I have put together our top ten Summer activities in Taupo

1) Well it is hard to past the lake on a beautiful day and not be inspired for a swim so make swimming in Lake Taupo one of your must do’s

2) Walking or Mountain biking the W2K track at Kinloch, http://www.biketaupo.org.nz/content/category/5/75/112/this is a fantastic track and you can start at Whakaipo walk over the hill and down to Kinloch, where you can have a swim and a coffee from one of the cafes there.

3) At two mile bay on Lake Taupo terrace, you can buy freshly made Italian ice cream, absolutely stunning on a hot day

4) Drive a golf ball into Lake Taupo, or at least try and hit the target at http://www.holein1.co.nz/

5) Walk the Alpine Crossing with these guys http://www.adventurehq.co.nz/

6) Golf…we have a number of great golf courses in Taupo, from the causual 9 hole to the professional courses at Waiaraki and Kinloch you can read golf stuff here http://travelmonkee.co.nz/?s=golf&x=0&y=0

7) Take a boat or a kayak out on the lake, from down at the Lake Taupo Marina, go discover the lake.

8) Get some adrenalin pumping by Sky diving! Yes Lake Taupo is one of the most cheapest places to jump out a perfectly good plane.

9) Taupo Cliff hanger http://travelmonkee.co.nz/?p=362 Located at Taupo Bungy

10) Explore, yes get a car, Mountain Bike, kayak, or any means of transport and explore Lake Taupo, we have so much to offer here, you will find the locals friendly and willing to point you in the right direction.

Oh, and I left of the food and wine, some of those coming soon, but a few links for you

http://www.sceniccellars.co.nz/

http://www.laketauponz.com/cuisine/cafes.html

http://www.thebrantry.co.nz/

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Filed Under: Adventure Activities, Family Stuff, Taupo Tagged With: , , ,

ActionWorld in Lake Taupo

December 17, 2009 By Carl View Comments

So since the weather was so perfect today my Daughter and I headed out to Lake Taupo’s latest sensation www.Actionworldtaupo.co.nz

This week has been a week of firsts with the launch of the Swing at Taupo Bungy, you can read this here http://travelmonkee.co.nz/?p=362

Action World is located beside Taupo Airport, and is just a few minutes drive from the town.

What has it got, well it is a trapeze course, with High wires, Flying Trapeze, Battle zones, Trampoline jump, slides and a very cool climbing wall, added to this you don’t need any safety ropes or harnesses, as every where you climb/fly there are giant air bags underneath you to catch you when you fall!

Prices are very reasonable with Adults at $25 and children $18.

So make sure next time you visit Taupo to put this place on your “to do” list.

Fly with the Trapeze

Fly with the Trapeze

CJ and Bev

CJ and Bev

Climbing wall With no Ropes (gulp)

Climbing wall With no Ropes (gulp)

Do the Big Four and get the certificate

Do the Big Four and get the certificate

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Filed Under: Adventure Activities, Family Stuff, Taupo Tagged With: , ,