Sorry - TRM Daily Report has got Mondayitis and would not load (?) so have repeated it here for your fix in the meantime... Tourists’ Favourite Choices in Turangi (Updated July 2014) All tourists questions answered from Tongariro River Motel’s inmates Q&A surveys over the last ten years: 1 What is it? Turangi is the little town that could, that should, but hasn’t? Why? It has never been effectively promoted… It is a little gem. But keep it to yourself - OK? 2 Why it is there? Trout Fishing Capital of the World! Originally a fishing village, with the new town west of SH 1 called Turangi built in 1960′s for the Tongariro Hydro Power Project – NZ version of Snowy Mountain scheme. (1960 resident population approx. 200, 1968 approx. 6,500, ) 3 Where is it? Half way to everywhere in the North Island, midway Auckland-Wellington, midway Napier-New Plymouth. 4 Population? Steadily falling... Since 1996 the population fell 22% while the rest of NZ increased 22%. Very sad... Why? No local employment opportunities. (1996 census = 3747, 2001 = 3441, 2006 = 3240, 2013 = 2952... Europeans = 48%, Maori = 59%.) 5 Short history? The original village of Taupahi east of SH1 was targeted by fly fishos for Tongariro River trophy trout for the last 100 years. This has since been absorbed into Turangi with the hydro town development west of SH1 in 1960s. Boofthewonderdog 0426 Town Museum? During the Hydro Scheme excavations, archaeologists discovered fabulous pre maori village artifacts for the museum which is now closed… 7 Famous identities? American author Zane Grey camped in Turangi in 1920′s and wrote “A Fishermans Eldorado” which is still persuading anglers to fish the Tongariro, so we adopted him. Boof? Famous trout hunting pooch. Vinny Brown for landing 16 pound brown trout last February. (see photo) 8 Town image? Trout. Tongariro River. Trout. Travelling from south it is the “Gateway to Taupo”. Trout. Travelling from North it is the “Gateway to the Tongariro National Park - a World Heritage Area”. 9 Best website? tongarirorivermotel.co.nz 10 Major employer? Tourism businesses predominate. Over 70 tourist accommodation suppliers, 8 motels, 4 backpackers, numerous B&Bs, fishing lodges, etc. 11 Source of pride? Tongariro River - Lake Taupos most important trout nursery. The Tongariro River is the best wild trout fishery in the world. Autumn colours. Clean 100% pure water - taste it... Did you know Turangi was the first town in NZ with underground power reticulation. Wow! 12 Best reason to stay? Trout. Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro River loop trail. Half way Auckland Wellington. Waihaha Bike Trail, cruise Lake Taupo. 13 Nearby attractions? Tongariro River, Tongariro National Park – a world heritage area, Whakapapa ski fields, Kaimanawa Forest Park, Lake Taupo. 14 Best place for kids? Tokaanu thermal pools, Tongariro River Trails, Trout Centre on Kids Day. 15 Best place for a drink? RSA Club – meet real locals aka retired anglers (instead of other tourists). 16 Best coffee? Creel Cafe, Taupahi Road. Warning - Definitely addictive. The Caff (under the climbing wall). 17 Best cafe food? Creel Cafe, Taupahi Road. Funky cafe. (Try the pea & ham soup!) The Caff - under the climbing wall (Try Catherines Afghans!). 18 Best bakery? Turangi Bakery (try their famous pies). 19 Best recreation activity? Fly fishing, walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Biking the Tongariro River Trail. Skiing at Whakapapa, Boating on Lake Taupo, Rafting the Tongariro River. 20 Best walk trails? Tongariro Alpine Crossing (6-7 hours!), Tongariro River loop trail (1 hour). Lake Rotopounamu (2 hours). Taranaki Falls (2 hours). Mt. Tihia (2 hours) 21 Best bike trail? Tongariro River Trail, Waihaha loop trail. 22 Best tourist views? Watching anglers from SH 1 Bridge. State Highway 47 lookout, Mt Ruapehu chair lift. Autumn colours - brilliant foliage. 23 Best playground? Taupahi Park, big park with dog exercise area, petanque rink, adjacent river walking tracks. Even has toilets.. 24 Best swim? Tokaanu hot thermal pools. Lake Taupo. 25 Best kept secret? Mud pools in Tokaanu, Pillars of Hercules, Track up Mt. Tihia. The only underground power station in the North Island. 26 Best accommodation? Motels: Tongariro River Motel (but you knew we would say that…) Backpackers: Riverstone. Fishing Lodge: The Birches 27 Best shop? Turangi Visitor Centre, Sporting Life. (Turangi has one major supermarket and three tackle shops…) 28 Best wildlife? Watch BIG wild trout from Tongariro road bridge, tuis in Spring when the Kowhais are flowering, Blue ducks (whio) on the upper Tongariro River, bird watching around a hidden lake. 29 Best tourism trap? Tongariro Alpine Crossing (warning 70-80,000 trampers annually, mainly in summer months) is NZ’s most popular one day walk. 30 Best family day trips? Tongariro Alpine Crossing - NZ’s most popular one day walk, 6-7 hours (Summer only). Biking the Tongariro River Trail - 2 hours, Shorter walks include Lake Rotopounamu circuit – 2 hours. Taranaki Falls (from behind the Chateau) Mt. Ruapehu – 2 hours. Tongariro River lookout loop walk – 1 hour or further on Tongariro River Trail - 3 hours Mt. Tihia 2 hours, Rafting on Tongariro River, Kids Fishing Day at Trout Centre (Book first)
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 00:17:01 +0000
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