The Lake Taupō Across the Lake Swim is New Zealand’s largest freshwater swim, and for good reason. This iconic event offers a breathtaking point-to-point crossing across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Taupō, the largest lake in the country and the caldera of an ancient supervolcano. With snow-capped peaks on the horizon, a glassy surface underfoot, and a festive crowd waiting at the finish, it’s a swim like no other.

Held each summer, this event has been a firm favourite on the Kiwi swim calendar for decades. It’s not just a race, it’s a celebration of community, summer, and personal challenge. Families line the shore, music plays, and there’s an unmistakable sense of occasion as swimmers of all ages and abilities make their way across the legendary lake.

Swimmers can choose from a variety of distances, but the full 4.2km crossing from Acacia Bay to Three Mile Bay is the main event, the kind of swim that leaves you proud, inspired, and maybe just a little bit hooked. Whether you’re ticking off a bucket-list swim or diving in for the first time, the supportive, inclusive atmosphere makes this event welcoming for everyone.

And if you’ve ever wanted to swim across a lake that was once an exploding supervolcano, well, here’s your chance. Add in warm summer vibes, stunning scenery, and that unbeatable feeling of gliding over ancient waters, and you’ve got a swim that’s truly one for the memory books.