I spent a grey afternoon on the Lake Taupo waterfront. To be honest, this was more of a “in between” kind of visit; not too many people about, the water flat and still, the sky overcast. It wasn’t particularly exciting or dramatic, but then again, that’s how a lakeside wander should of be at times.
This is what an afternoon by New Zealand‘s largest lake look like when the weather decide to keep things low-key.
A Quiet Walk by the Lake
Lake Taupo
After parking close to the town centre, I walked down to the waterfront reserve, which had a large guide map outlining all the points of interest and walking tracks around the lake. The lakefront area in Taupo was surprising nice for strolling, it has paved pathways, benches, and those huge letter installations you find in every tourist town these days.
The #LOVETAUPO letters is located down from the main trail, set on some grass with the lake stretching out beyond them. There were a couple other folk there snapping pictures, but otherwise it was pretty empty. Everything felt calm and sort of sleepy (the bare trees), the flat gray sky.
It wasn’t as perfect than a postcard, and honestly, the overcast afternoon had its own sort of stillness that seem fitting for such a large lake.
I noticed one lone rower crossing the glassy waters out there. you could watch them as they dipped their oar into the water and see their reflection in the stillness. It’s a big lake, sure.
More of an inland sea, actualy… But on a day like this, when it was so still that you could count every dip of his oar, it wasn’t intimidating at all; just peaceful.
Beyond the grassy areas with picnic table where you can stretch out a blanket (if the weather cooperates), there’s more to explore in the reserve, which we ambled around. From here, you could see right over to the hills on the opposite side of the lake, as well as the town itself, hugging the water’s edge. There was one other boat I spotted that afternoon, a little runabout chugging by in the distance.
But what I love about Lake Taupo is that it doesn’t require sunshine to make it worthwhile, even on an overcast day, the sheer size of it shine through.
And further down the path was one of those coin operated viewing telescopes pointed out across the water. I didn’t use it, but on a clear day, I think you’d have a good look out across the water at the hills on the other side. There is fencing along the waterfront keeping you away from the edge, but enough places to stop and just sit and watch the water.
The clouds had settled down more heavilier by the time we circled back into town, draping softly over the edges of the lake. We spent maybe an hour or so there, certainly not long enough to explore much, but that was all it took to get a sense for the area. While Taupo’s waterfront is nothing fancy, it’s well located, and nice enough to wander along if you find yourself here.
Would I return on a brighter day? Maybe. But I didn’t hate the grey afternoon one bit.
Have you been to Lake Taupo? How did the weather treat you?