Love Taupo have been promoting the tourist features of Toe Paw but overlooked that other little settlement at the southern end of Lake Taupo. This list was last posted about ten years ago and has now been updated…

December 1, 2015

Kia ora: Turangi

Kia Ora Turangi

December confirms the balmy Summer tourist season is here.  On my way to Taupo yesterday, we passed 7 camper vans driving up the passing lane on Hatepe hill.  So today is all about tourism stuff.

Tourism research website blogs advise TRM that forward-thinking ‘moteliers’ (like SWMBO?) need to respond more to prospective guests’ new hunger for local experiences by moving beyond their traditional motel brand marketing efforts.

i.e. What guests really want to know is:

What’s right outside your front door?

What can they walk to?

Where can they find the best local fare?

Where can they catch a good happy hour?

Where is the best running track?

Where can they buy locally made items thay wont find anywhere else?

Motels need to concentrate on local and neighbourhood content.

So TRM’s response follows for your Summer holiday programme…

Each week, the NZ Herald Travel Supplement, which used to review a small town on Tuesdays, did not get to Turangi.   Now the tourist season has started so today it is Turangi’s turn for its own updated version.  This is the BIG one…

As Turangi has not been featured by the NZ Herald since 2013, Tongariro River Motel have prepared a completely unbiased (?) local version using the same format for tourists’ consideration…

Origins:

An abbreviation of Turangitukua, a Maori leader who must have been a great fisherman.  Their tribal land was acquired to develop Turangi township during the 1970s.  Excavations for the Tongariro Power Development unearthed 16 pre-maori villages, 246 pre-maori dwellings, artefacts carbon dated around 400 AD, etc. originally occupied by Moa Hunters, Fairy folk and Hobbits.

Population: 

About 2900 and, strangely, still steadily falling.  About 1970 it peaked at over 9000 for the Tongariro Hydro Development but in 12 years since 2001 census, Turangi resident population fell 14% while the rest of NZ rose 11%.  About 64% are permanent resident occupied homes with 36% holiday homes.

Where is it:   

Half way to everywhere – located where SH 1 crosses the Tongariro River and surrounded by National Parks with dual world heritage status.  Midway Wellington (320km) & Auckland (310km).  Midway Napier & New Plymouth.  Midway Hamilton and Palmerston North.  Midway Tokoroa & Taihape.  Midway Paradise and Heaven.

Town Slogan: 

Source of Pride:  

Trout Fishing Capital of the World.  Tongariro River is a world renowned trout fishing paradise offering wild fly fishing all year in over 50 pools.  More books have been written about trout fishing on the Tongariro than any other river in NZ.

Town Mascots: 

Rainbow trout, Brown trout,  Wild trout. Trophy trout.  Big trout,  Huge Trout, Giant trout, More trout.

Famous anglers: 

All TRM inmates plus others who loved Turangi since the 1920’s include American author Zane Grey (returned three times to write about it), Duchess of York (the Queen’s mother), Queen Elizabeth, President Jimmy Carter, film stars and many other celebrities – an incredible world famous trout fishing reputation.

Best local website:

What a question – we are so embarrassed that you even had to ask?  You are reading it (but sometimes you need to read between the lines…).

Main Employer:  

Tourist industry built around the trout fishing on the Tongariro River – 8 motels, 8 cafes, various B&B’s and backpackers – offering something for everyone – from upmarket superior lodges to low cost camping ground.

Town feature:  

The many autumn colours from the mature deciduous trees used to predominate in Turangi, giving it such a special mature character, but since the last report, the Toe Paw Council has removed most of them.

Best reason to stop: 

The National Tongariro Trout Centre is hard to beat.  It includes a trout fishing museum, underground viewing chamber to view trout in spawning stream, and several times each year they hold a kids day – a guaranteed way to catch a trout in Turangi.  Now they even farm trout for local iwi.  Amazing…

Best place to take kids:

Turangi library on a wet day or Tongariro Trout Centre (trout farming factory?) or hike around the (1 hour) loop track from the Koura Street swing bridge past famous fishing pools and up and over the hill providing wide views over Turangi and Lake Taupo beyond.

Best cafe

For mid-day caffeine hits there are a selection of 8 cafes.

Best food:

Hare & Copper on Grace Road is highly recommended for your big night out.

Turangi Bakery’s pies are famous throughout NZ.

Best cafe:  

Creel Cafe is being refurbished to reopen before Christmas – foodies heaven – healthy breakfasts and delicious finger food in a historic setting on Taupahi Road. The original fishing tackle shop was established about 100 years ago.

Best walk/jogging track:

Tongariro River Trail loop north of Birch Pool bridge is 1 hour, loop trail south to Red Hut Bridge to return via the Trout Centre – 15 km – 2 hours.  Joggers can add the north loop to extend it to 20 km.

Just out of town is the 2 hour circuit of a hidden Lake Rotopounamu (Greenstone Lake) winner of the NZ Herald’s readers’ favourite secret touristy place (or something like that?).

Best View: 

Lake Taupo – the largest most stunning lake in the North, South & West Islands erupted about 30,000 years ago on a Wednesday – best views from the lookout on SH47 about 6 km from Turangi or from the lookout track above the Tongariro River or climb Mt. Tihia (1165m). 

Best Mountain Biking: 

Tongariro River Trail. Out of town is the Timber Trail north of Taumarunui, or south is Tree Trunk Gorge to Pillars of Hercules trail. TRM have a special 40 km BIG DAY OUT linking ten other tracks back to Turangi – route plans available at reception.

Best tourist hike: 

When it is not on fire, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It is so good that Taupo (50km North of Turangi) tried to claim it as well.  It’s on everyone’s Bucket List.  It can get quite crowded on fine weekends.  A better more challenging alternative option away from the crowds is to climb Mt. Ruapehu, restricted to summer only.

Best place to pull over: 

Stump Bay – about 5 km north of Turangi on SH 1 provides safe swimming in Lake Taupo – nature’s 100% pure playground..

Best Playground: 

Lake Taupo for a natural beach playground or locally outside the indoor swimming pool in the town centre includes a skateboard park.

Best Kept Secrets:  

Tongariro river-side walk between Taupahi Reserve and Koura Street is better than Tamaki Drive or Oriental Parade.

The lower Tongariro River has the biggest Brown trout spawning area and nursery in NZ, so the Waikato Regional Council used it for a gravel quarry.  That is probably why they are removing the powers of regional councils. True!.

Turangi has hidden the only underground power station in the North Island just off SH 1 – a must-visit for tourists but Genesis won’t let you see it.

In 1970 the Turangi Museum attracted over 100,000 visitors to view the best collection of pre-maori artefacts in NZ.  Now they are locked up so you can’t see them either.

Best swim:    

Anywhere in the Tongariro River is wonderfully refreshing. For naturally heated, soothing, therapeutic thermal pools go to Tokaanu 5 km west or Turangi indoor heated pool.

Best cultural experience: 

Walk through Turangi’s mall past Sporting Llfe tackle shop towards the Art Gallery.   Then spend an hour admiring the artworks in the gallery.

Best review:           

Turangi – a town with heart – dvd.- hire or buy from Civic videos

Best Wildlife: 

Trout, Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Wild trout, Trophy trout, Big trout, Huge trout, Giant trout, More trout…

Raiding parties of Tuis in Kowhai trees along the Tongariro River Trail are unforgettable in springtime.

Best Historic site:

Te Porere Redoubt – on SH47 – historic battle site where a Maori rebel Te Kooti built a medieval castle so the Government Colonial troops could find him.  Both won?

Best Garden Sculpture:

The biggest trout fly in the world on corner of Poto and Kokopu Streets overlooking the Tongariro River.

Visitors say:  

When can we book again?

Locals say:  

I came to Turangi for a season 20 years ago.

Best images to reflect life in Turangi:

(1)  On right – a corporate box at the footy…

(2)  Below – a Turangi traffic jam…