Lake Taupo may be the biggest freshwater lake in New Zealand, but there is so much more to it than that. It is situated within the caldera of a volcano by the same name, and hosts an immense variety of underwater flora and fauna, chief among them ferns, crayfish, trout and sponges. Tourists are spoiled for choice at Lake Taupo, activities on offer ranging from skydiving to fishing to nature trails, biking and exploring the region’s Maori rock carvings. The Lake Taupo Cycling Challenge is also a major crowd puller, both locally and among tourists. A number of luxury hotels add an urban edge to the area’s pristine wilderness.