The magnificent Lake Taupo is situated in the centre of New Zealand's North Island and is home to spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful native bush, forestry and some of the best trout fishing in the world.

Lake Taupo is also fast becoming known as the adventure capital of the North Island. Here you can discover the thrill of adrenaline-pumping activities, like bungy jumping, skydiving, white-water rafting, wakeboarding, water skiing or jet boating.

If a relaxing time is more your style, Taupo has several golf courses, including the famous Wairakei International Golf Course, or perhaps cruise around the lake on the famous "Barbary" once owned by Errol Flynn. Take a stroll along The Lions Walk (free) and discover natural thermal hot water streams leading to beautiful beaches.

Thermal activity is a biggie here - make sure you take the time to visit Craters of the Moon, where you can spend an hour or so walking around steaming craters and boiling mud pools or Orakei Korako (The Hidden Valley) with beautiful silica terraces. Experience a "Look back in time" at Wairakei Terraces.

Huka Falls is one of the most incredible sights to see (free) where the Waikato River narrows dramatically. It's not the height of the falls that is so impressive, but the 300,000 litres of water per second that crashes through the narrow gorge.

In winter, the region is popular as a ski destination, being a short drive from the largest skifield in New Zealand - the Whakapapa Skifield. This also gives the visitor an opportunity to see a live volcano - Mt Ruapehu. Guided walks are offered in the summer months, or you could fly over the crater with one of four scenic flight operators available.

Because Lake Taupo is so central, more and more companies are utilising the area's wonderful facilities and high-class venues for conferences or for team-building exercises.