http://www.nzherald.co.nz/n...Lake Taupo and the Waikato River
New Zealand’s largest lake (Lake Taupo) and longest river (Waikato River) make for an unbeatable diving combination! Diving Lake Taupo and the Waikato River is generally the only freshwater diving trip AUUC takes each year and is an annual WINTER event. This trip is more about fun than hardcore diving, although some may consider diving in water that cold pretty hardcore. Dry suits are optional. Expect water temperatures in the lake and river to be around 12 degrees Celsius.
If you want to get really multi-sports, you can opt for the diving Saturday and skiing on Sunday. Keep in mind that Lake Taupo is located 370 metres above sea level so it is considered altitude diving. Don’t go heading up Mt Ruapehu skiing and get the bends!
Highlights of diving in Lake Taupo are seeing koura (freshwater crayfish), trout, catfish, freshwater sponges and jellyfish. Drift dive down the Waikato River past shopping carts, car tires and the odd trout.
AUUC at Lake Taupo and the Waikato River
We do the first dive in Lake Taupo, from the beach at Motutere Bay, a couple of kilometres outside of Taupo township. You can get some good depth here and need to be wary of how much weight you wear as it is easier to sink in freshwater than saltwater (you can afford to lose a couple of kilograms from your weight belt). We drive into Taupo for lunch at a fast food joint, generally in our wetsuits, then out the other side of Taupo to the Waikato River.
The second dive is a drift dive or snorkel in the Waikato River finishing up at some natural hot pools. This is a shallow dive, around 5 to 15 metres. The drift dive requires a bit of organisation, as we need people with cars at the start of the dive and at the end, to transport people back to the beginning. There is a five minute walk of a couple of hundred metres from the hot pools to the car park with all of your gear at the end of the drift dive.
We’ll advise you closer to the trip on where we’re staying, costs and additional information.
What you need to bring
All scuba gear including 1 tank (if you’re pretty good with your air and don’t do long dives you can get away with doing 2 dives on one tank, otherwise bring 2 tanks). A torch will be useful for looking for koura under rocks and logs.
It is winter, bring loads of clothes including beanie, gloves and jacket. Bring a towel.
Food for meals, although there are plenty of places to get food in Taupo (cafes and supermarkets).
Accommodation changes from year to year but it is usually in a backpackers, in which case you may need to bring a sleeping bag.
If you plan on snow skiing, bring your ski gear.
Directions to Taupo from Auckland
Travel south on SH1. Turn left onto SH2. Continue south on SH27 through Matamata and Tirau. Just after Tirau the signage to Taupo starts, on SH1. Total trip is 3.5 to 4 hours.
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