If you’re road-tripping through the North Island and wondering where to stop for lunch (or accidentally stay three days), let me introduce you to wonderful, windswept, slightly volcanic Taupō.

Perched on the edge of the spectacular Lake Taupō — which, casually, is actually a giant volcanic caldera — Taupō serves up sweeping views toward the towering southern volcanoes and enough activities to justify cancelling your next destination. Or at least postponing it until after dessert.

⛳ The Golf Shot Heard Across the Lake

Back in 1997, we were thoroughly entertained by the legendary Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge.

The concept? Simple.

Stand on shore.

Hit golf balls at a floating pontoon.

Try not to think about the fact that the “green” is literally bobbing around in a lake.

Sink a hole-in-one on the red flag and you pocket $10,000 cash. Miss, and your ball enjoys a refreshing swim.

We saw it again in 2005 — and wouldn’t you know it — still there after all those years. Some landmarks fade. Some get renovated. This one just keeps waiting patiently for someone with better aim than us.

🚽 The Superloo & The McPlane

Taupō is also home to memories that really stick with you.

The Superloo from 1997? Still there. Reliable. Majestic. Possibly unchanged since the Clinton administration.

And then there’s the most spectacular McDonald’s Taupō — famously housed inside a converted Douglas DC-3 aircraft. Yes, you can eat your fries inside the plane and peek into the cockpit. Because nothing pairs with a cheeseburger quite like aviation nostalgia.

It may be the only place on earth where your Big Mac comes with boarding vibes.

☀️ Sunshine at Last

We rolled into Taupō on a crisp, sunny day and found the perfect lunch spot basking in golden light. It was our first real taste of warm weather in quite a while — the kind that makes you order a cold drink and seriously consider not getting back in the car.

We filled our bellies, soaked up the sunshine, and briefly debated becoming lakeside locals.

💦 From Lunch to Water Power

Eventually (reluctantly), we moved on — heading north to the roaring spectacle of Huka Falls before continuing on to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.

But Taupō?

Still charming.

Still slightly obsessed with floating golf.

Still serving lunch with a view that’s hard to beat.