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 and is full of trout. New Zealand's longest river - the Waikato River forms the outflow from the Lake that flows from east to west.

Taupo is a city and administrative centre for the Taupo region and a major road junction for travelling south from Auckland and north of Wellington or east to Napier and Hastings and the Hawkes Bay region.

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

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 hub for inter-regional and long distance coach and bus services operating daily from Taupo to Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North and Wellington. 

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

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