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We need your help!
Great Memories, Great Lake Taupo competition invited people to share memories of Great Lake Taupo to be in to WIN.
The prize for the best "old" memory is a fabulous $5000 holiday package within the region. A second prize is also up for grabs for a 'new' memory made this Summer 2011/2012 - a Huka Falls Resort accommodation and dinner package worth $750.
Thank you to everyone who has entered - we have been touched, entertained and inspired by the stories, photos, poems and movies you have shared.
We've shortlisted our favourite entries below in no particular order. Do check the list as yours might be one of them.
Here's where you can help - vote to help us choose a winner!
Please indicate your preferences ie vote for ONE old memory & ONE new memory. Your votes are just one of the many criteria we will take into account before determining the final winners.
For those of you who have not entered, it is still not too late as the competition ends 2 Feb 2012 so keep those entries coming. Share your memories now as yours might end up on the shortlist as well!
1. Pirates on the high seas
It must have been about Easter 1967 and we had been rained out of the camping ground in Taupo, so in a moment of wondrous extravagance Mum and Dad booked us into the aptly named Oasis motel on the Lakefront. This was fabulously opulent accommodation compared to our recently abandoned soggy tent site. Read more...
2. Trout without a rod
Our family was on holiday at the motor camp at Taupo, Christmas time 1958. My father loved going out fishing but practically never caught at thing. At Taupo he was determined to catch a trout. Read more...
3. Perfect Stone
On 17th November 2009 the love of my life proposed to me on one knee on the shore of 2mile bay while on a short holiday. We were looking at all the beautiful stones on the shore line under the trees when he told me he had found the perfect stone for me, this is our greatest Lake Taupo memory ever.
4. Hidden Treasure
Finding $200 in coins hidden in the sandy beach, as our family walked around the 'Lions' walk, was like uncovering treasure for 6-10yr olds! Lake Taupo will always hold a magical place after our discovery - we handed the coins in, our reward a 5c icecream! A lake with so many hidden treasures.
5. Halletts Bay
Halletts bay Hatepe, camping under the big old pines next to state highway 1. No fast cars in those peaceful days. A big old 9x9 tent with two 6 foot extensions. Lazy summer days, cool evenings sitting round the camp fire waiting for the trout fillets to turn golden brown in the big old long handled black frypan. Read more...
6. Maori Entertainer
My best memory as a 10 year old was walking down the hill with the glorious blue lake and stunning mountain tucked in behind, as we went down to the lake edge hot pools for a swim in the evening. There was a colourful local Maori guy there who showed us how to catch the Koura in the clear crisp waters and told us tales of the area. Read more...
7. Wine Biscuit Feast
My first holiday memories are of camping in the early 1050’s amidst the manuka at Acacia Bay Lake Taupo. It was a long dusty journey in the old Bedford van from our rugged hill country farm down towards the Wanganui River to Lake Taupo. Read more...
8. Mrs Maniapoto
I spent every holidays and long weekend for most of my childhood at a private caravan park at Mission Point (towards southern end of lake). Magical times catching and eating trout (baked in the caravan oven wrapped in bacon and stuffed with onions) YUMMY.... Read more...
Driving to Auckland, I came across these remarkable views of the anglers forming the well known "picket fence" at Waitahanui River Mouth. The effect of the sun on the water turned the lake to silver, while the stillness allowed the amazing cloud reflections to be mirrored in the calm lake.
The Huka Prawn Farm was a great experience for my two boys, getting up close and personal with the prawns while on holiday in Taupo, all the way from Gisborne. The best part was seeing them munch on the bucket of prawns we had to buy after being not so successful at fishing for them LOL!
Taking a break. My brothers and I would spend hours in the lake and the thermal hot pool that was at the true kiwi bach. We'd sit in the hot pool and then sprint down and jump into the lake, then back to the hot pool. Great for the heart!
We were camped on the point just past Acacia Bay, in an inflatable tent, Dad and four boys, all brothers. Out of my sleeping bag, out of the tent, racing down to the small jetty and diving in, to what felt like ice, then straight out of the Lake into my sleeping bag with a blinding headache, ouch
Taking the kids and Gran Jet boating! She said she loved it but the the look on her face told us otherwise :)
We had a lovely visit to Huka Falls. We took the Grandparents along and Grandpa kindly offered to give Harry, our son, a carry on his shoulders. Harry thought it was funny to pull Grandpa's ears!!
We are starting our own memories - new generation of family, some from auckland and some from wellington. Taupo is the ultimate place to meet up. The taupo holiday homes lead us to the right place to stay, we saw the sites, hot pooled and tasted local places. Love it, back again next year!!
Holidays at Waitahanui, swimming in the lake, fishing, relaxing, what a great place
17. Banjo Reunion
21 February, 2005. NZ really is a small country! There we were driving past the stunning Lake Taupo, admiring its sheer simplistic beauty, and more than ready for a rest-stop on a long drive home after a family wedding. Then the cry went up, "Hey, look at that guy. He's sitting on a small rock a few metres offshore - in the lake - strumming a banjo!" We all laughed as we drove on. "What a way to relax. That's the kind of crazy thing JD (our friend) would do." Then it hit us - banjo, crazy, JD... :-)
We stopped the car, returned to the banjo-picker, and yep, it was JD. He'd been to a folk festival and was returning home to Wellington from Auckland - and we were returning home to Auckland from Wellington. We met at Lake Taupo. He (and the banjo) came ashore for this random reunion of the funniest kind...
There we were, driving back from Napier one hot and muggy Sunday afternoon. As we drove past Lake Taupo, we saw these beautiful black swans in the water. I just had to join them! So we stopped the car, leapt out and jumped into the water, fully clothed! Wowee, it was the best swim of summer!
2. Sneaky Little Buggar
Spending the day at the Prawn Park with my husband and three children and watching the biggest prawn we caught escape back into the pond – very funny (sneaky little buggar!)
3. Gone Cruisin
I’m getting married in TaupÅ this afternoon and whilst my bride is having her hair and makeup done I’ve gone for a fantastic cruise on the Lake with the wedding party.
4. Chris Jolly cruise
Just loved the vibrancy, energy and friendliness that Taupo exudes while still managing to capture a real sense of identity. Our Sunday cruise on board the Chris Jolly catamaran was an absolute highlight. To view the stunning scenery, become immersed in the local history while enjoying such a yummy lunch all combined to make this trip a memory we will always treasure and never forget.
5. First Skydive
Doing my first skydive with my Dad. The look on his face as he landed was priceless!
6. Nan caught a trout
Fishing for me has been with a line, hook and bait. But going out with Dan Basse on Midknight was a really great, relaxing 2 hours. Caught 3 trout – father, mother and baby were under size. This was time I will remember for a very long time and can tell my grandchildren “Nan caught a trout in Taupo!”
7. Harry = none
As I have just retired I found that Taupo is a very enjoyable and relaxing place with so much to offer. Walking from Phoenix T/S to the CBD is good for the heart. Fishing on one of Chris Jolly’s boats was enjoyable – wife = 3 fish. Harry = none! Kia ora!
My Daughter and Husband enjoy the ride on the train.
Daddy's girl having another fantastic day in Kinloch, Lake Taupo
Having the pleasure of an evening dip in the beautiful Lake Taupo (by Lake Terrace), as the sun sets over Acacia Bay. Just one of the many stunning views Taupo has to offer
One of my favorite spots to stop and take in the glorious Taupo sunset with my family, while taking an evening stroll along the beautiful 'Lions Walk.
Our amazing wedding day at the picturesque Lake Taupo Harbour Master. A true reflection of the day and the location! One of many funny pictures with a bridesmaid and groomsman switching a shoe!
One of my great memories of Taupo is going to the golf course and getting a hole in one. I was so excited I fell in to a bush!
Great Memories Gallery
