Photo: North Island Lake Taupo New Zealand

The view from Mission Bay along Lake Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand looks across to Mt Ruapehu and Tongariro National Park.

Mission Bay along the lakeshore of Lake Taupo on the Central North Island of New Zealand has a beautiful beach of sand and small pebbles that extends around the bay with sections being home to lush green trees. Across the horizon under the clear blue sky, Mt Ruapehu shows off its snowcapped peak as Tongariro National Park spans the water's edge.A good portion of Lake Taupo was formed by the massive Oruanui eruption that hit the New Zealand region over 26,500 years ago. This created a huge volcanic crater and was later helped along and made bigger by the Taupo eruption. Over 27,000 years, twenty-eight eruptions have occurred in this area but none were as fierce and detrimental to the landscape as the two mentioned above.For those who prefer the quietness of life, you can drive Highway One around Lake Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand and find many of the secret coves and bays that make up the shoreline. For the more outgoing type, venture to the beaches where picnic tables are provided, fresh water swimming is spectacular, boats can be rented and trout fishing is plentiful.Along the shores of Lake Taupo, you will also find excellent places to enjoy a meal or clubs where you can party and drink with the rest of the vacationers to New Zealand. The beauty and excitement around Lake Taupo on the North island of New Zealand is endless and you are within close proximity to other major tourist attractions that everyone should see.Mission Bay at the Mission Bay Scenic Reserve on the banks of Lake Taupo with Mt Ruapehu in the background, Central North Island, New Zealand.