On the shore of New Zealand's largest lake, the town of Taupo is a must-stop on any North Island road trip. The city offers many amazing outdoor pursuits, from fishing on the lake to epic mountain bike trails. Feel your heartbeat with unforgettable skydiving, jet boating, bungy jumping, and white water rafting. Alternatively, relax in geothermal hot pools or with a coffee at one of the many quaint cafes. The possibilities are endless in this attractive small town, so get started with this list of family activities in Taupo.

See Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo, covering a surface area of 238 square miles, is New Zealand's largest lake by surface area. But this freshwater lake is not a lake at all. It was a volcanic caldera created by a supervolcanic eruption more than 26,000 years ago. Even though the volcano's last eruption was in the year 210, it is still considered dormant instead of extinct.

Today, the lake draws tourists and fishermen, who come to catch brown and rainbow trout in Lake Taupo's waters. Even if you're not a fisherman, it's worth it to stroll along Lake Taupo's shore. On a clear day, you can see to the southern end, where the tops of the volcanoes in Tongariro National Park can be seen.

Jet Boat ride at Huka Falls

Woah! That looks splendid, right? Huka Falls is one of the fastest-moving waterfalls in New Zealand and is incredibly beautiful. Guess what? Here is another one on the list of top things to do in Taupo, NZ for adventure seekers. You can go for a thrilling jet boat ride in Huka Falls. This 40-minute thrill ride will make you scream in happiness, and the gushing water will make you realize the beauty of this place.

Do Some Family-Friendly White Water Rafting

You can still get the adventure fix many of us come to New Zealand for, even with the little ones! Raft the gentle rapids of the Tongariro River on the Tongariro Family Fun Tour with Rafting New Zealand. Suitable for ages three and up, the interactive white water rafting trip takes you away from civilization to enjoy 1h 45 mins of 20+ rapids, Maori myths and legends, and a safe introduction to white water rafting. The tour includes a stop-in at the National Trout Centre to check out some local wildlife.

Just relax

Taupo isn't the adventure hub that Queenstown is, nor a metropolitan center like Auckland. It's quieter, smaller, and more conducive to a relaxing weekend getaway.

Grab lunch at a cafe, stroll around town, and head to the fishing boat harbor. Grab a picnic bench near the lakeshore, and watch people play the "Hole in one challenge," where the challenge is to drive a golf ball onto a tiny island floating out in the lake.

If you're into aerial sightseeing, book a seat on a float plane or helicopter and check out the area from above.