The document provides information about attractions in the Taupo region of New Zealand, including the new Hilton Lake Taupo hotel, Huka Lodge luxury accommodation, Hukafalls Jet boat rides on the Waikato River, and Scenic Cellars wine retailer. Key details are that the Hilton Lake Taupo offers 113 rooms and suites with views of Lake Taupo, Huka Lodge is set on the Waikato River and offers 25 rooms, and Hukafalls Jet boats provide a thrilling 30-minute ride through scenic areas along the river.

1. TAUPO
Lake Taupo is where you go
if you want to catch a wild
trout, swim in a clear lake,
walk in native bush, soak in
a geothermal pool or jet
boat on a raging river.
Rugged and rich in history,
beautiful and accessible.
SARAH WEEKS
discovers some of the
Turquoise
delights of the region.
M
anaged by Hilton
Worldwide, the brand new
Hilton Lake Taupo is one of
the first upscale, full-service
international hotel brands to open in Taupo
and the second Hilton hotel in New
Zealand. Locals in Taupo are buzzing about
the new property so I decide it's time to
check out what the fuss is all about! Well
there's definitely something to be said
about this new upscale hotel, which offers
113 deluxe guest rooms, suites and
apartments - including a large and
luxurious three-bedroom presidential suite
(still in its final stages).
Full of history, the hotel is comprised of
a Heritage Wing, previously known as the
historic Terraces Hotel, built in 1889 and
now completely refurbished and a new
wing of 100 rooms - the Mountain Wing.
The Mountain Wing is positioned a fully equipped gym, bar and an Taupo's newest hotel, Hilton Lake Taupo
alongside the Heritage Wing with underground carpark, providing easy
panoramic views over Lake Taupo and to access to rooms via the lifts. The second retreats in the world and is sought as an
the volcanic mountains of Mt. Ruapehu, stage of Hilton Lake Taupo's development exclusive retreat by the most discerning of
New Zealand's largest ski field. Each room will feature a world class conference centre travellers.
features a patio with outdoor furniture and due to open later this year. The hotel is It was a pleasure to sample some of
is heated using natural geothermal energy already one of the top wedding and their fine dining. I enjoyed a delicious
- making it good for the environment, not conference facilities in the region so this three-course lunch, served in the outdoor
to mention the power bill! Hilton has development will further enhance what garden area overlooking a beautiful and
successfully managed to mix old world is already offer. elegant river garden setting. The lodge
with new world, giving guests the option of If you're looking for accommodation recently appointed Michel Louws to the
which style they prefer. with a difference then Huka Lodge, set on role of executive chef and his reputation
The hotel's restaurant, Bistro Lago, has the lush green banks of the Waikato River for superb cuisine, originality and a proven
already been established as one of Taupo's with it's hypnotic deep turquoise waters, passion for creating an exceptional dining
premier dinning venues. The menu has offers luxury and truly impeccable taste. experience is clearly evident in the dishes
been created by Simon Gault of Founded in the 1920s by a charming he serves. It comes as no surprise to learn
Masterchef New Zealand fame, who Irishman, Alan Pye, the lodge was quickly this lodge has won more awards than any
together with head chef Shane Yardley, has established with an unrivalled reputation other lodge in the world!
designed the breakfast, lunch, dinner and for superb hospitality and trophy-size trout The lodge's accommodation has a total
24-hour room-service menus featuring both of which still draw guests to Huka of 25 rooms, including 18 lodge rooms with
locally sourced ingredients. The hotel also Lodge to this very day. Over the years the beautiful riverside views and ensuite
features a cellar ballroom (for up to 120 lodge has evolved into an iconic New bathrooms; The Owner's Cottage, which
banquet guests), thermally heated outdoor Zealand property that has been offers the ultimate in hospitality
infinity pools, spa, steam room and sauna, consistently chosen as one of the top experience and is perfect for a group of
26 April 2010, TRAVEL DIGEST

2. TAUPO
family or friends to enjoy this exclusive self-
contained cottage which has four
generous bedrooms. The Alan Pye
pools for the enjoyment of all guests and
both cottage's have their own pools.
From 1 May to 25 September, Huka
Huka Lodge, on the banks of the
Waikato River
Cottage offers another stunning style of Lodge will present a series of special additional cost. Events include guest
cottage experience with two large events, which happily coincide with their chefs, prestigious winemakers, fine French
bedrooms. There is an all-weather tennis favourable mid-season tariff and in many Champagne, literary luncheon, pheasant
court, as well as swimming pool and spa cases are available complimentary at no and partridge shoot and fine
a unique
combination
of
excitement
and
natural
beauty
Half an hour of thrills, fun
and excitement along a
beautiful river environment,
lined with native bush, sheer
cliff rock face and natural hot
springs to the very base of the
Huka Falls. 9am-5pm daily.
Bookings essential.
Karetoto Road,
Wairakei Tourist Park
(10 mins north of Taupo,
55 mins south of Rotorua)
For travel trade enquiries,
contact Michelle Caldwell at info@hukafallsjet.com
or call +64 7 374 8572 | 0800 4 THRILLS | www.hukafallsjet.com
TRAVEL DIGEST, April 2010 27

3. TAUPO
jewellery trunk show, just to name a few.
Further down the Waikato River, you will
find Hukafalls Jet boats, which offer a
unique combination of excitement and
natural beauty. A 30-minute thrilling
(indeed!) jet boat ride in the hands of a
down-to-earth, funny professional jet boat
driver made a jet boat do things you would
never imagine possible - like narrowly
missing trees in the middle of the river!
This half hour of thrills, fun and excitement
takes you along the beautiful Waikato River
environment, lined with native bush, sheer
rock cliff face and natural hot springs.
Combining 360 degree spins and passing
nature by incredibly close at disorientating way to refresh and excite yourself!
Hukafalls Jet, for thrills on the
speeds, this amazing experience is must- Scenic Cellars is an iconic New
Waikato River
do for visitors - all of this before we even Zealand premium wine establishment,
reach the awe inspiring majesty that is the stocking over 3,000 different wine labels store is the second retail premise in the
Huka Falls. From the unique vantage point and over 100,000 bottles of rare and fine Southern Hemisphere to install an
on the boat you have the best water level wines from around the world to match all enomatic tasting machine, allowing
view of the powerful Huka Falls – New budgets. If you're a wine lover, you'll customers to self-taste domestic and
Zealand's most visited natural attraction. definitely appreciate a wander through international wines. Book your ticket for
As the only jet boat company operating in New Zealand's largest underground retail one of their many wine tasting evenings,
this stretch of the Waikato River, it offers wine cellar which is open to the public, events or themed dinners held through-
exclusive access – our driver even gets up housing wines in all price ranges. The out the year, or simply pop in for a visit,
close and personal with this natural beauty, cellar is also used as a function venue for taste a few different wines and buy your
much to my surprise – there is no better dinners, events and wine tastings. The favourite bottles! ✈
28 April 2010, TRAVEL DIGEST