Waikato Times

Six60 spoiled for choice in Taupō

- Matthew Martin

Top Kiwi musicians Six60 are heading to Taupō and are asking locals for advice on what to do in their spare time.

From bungy jumping to boating and rock art to waterfalls, band members Matiu Walters, Ji Fraser, Chris Mac and Marlon Gerbes look like they will be spoiled for choice in the popular tourist town.

The band put a call out on social media this week and received hundreds of suggestion­s.

“We can't wait to be heading to the Great Lake Centre for our Grassroots Tour. We’re wanting to make the most of our time in your beautiful home town so we thought we'd ask you where we should visit.

“Let us know what’s unique about your town and what spots we shouldn't miss out on,” they said.

The multiple-award winning band will be in Taupō for a concert on the night of Saturday, April 20, coinciding with the inaugural ITM Taupō Super400.

Tickets for the gig are already soldout, as are grandstand and general admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday’s Supercars racing at Taupō Internatio­nal Motorsport Park.

While some commenting on the band’s post asked for a larger venue for the gig, or for the band to play in their back yard for a few beers, the vast majority were more realistic. Some of the more unusual suggestion­s included a round of disc golf, facials at a local beauty clinic, lunch at the famous Paetiki Bakery, a trip to a local bonsai tree business, and a visit to strip club Sin City.

Many locals suggested a visit to the Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay on Lake Taupō, a leap over the Waikato River at Taupō Bungy, a blast with the new ball blaster at Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge, a trip to the Lava Glass Gallery, sky diving, para-sailing, trout fishing, go-karting, mountainbi­king, or a walk around one of many geothermal areas. Others suggested the band just took in the scenic beauty, clean air and “spiritual vibes”.

Taupō’s regional tourism organisati­on, Love Taupō welcomed the band to the region and had plenty of useful suggestion­s.

“We can’t wait for you guys to come visit our beautiful region,” a Love Taupō spokespers­on said. “There’s already been a lot of amazing suggestion­s ... we’d also highly recommend seeing the Ngātoroira­ngi Māori rock carvings and Huka Falls as our two most iconic landmarks.”

Love Taupō suggested Timberline Racing Siberian Huskies, a ride on Lake Taupō in an electric Doughboat and a soak at Wairakei Thermal Terraces. “Te Ātea, on the Taupō lakefront, is also a beautiful spot to visit.”

 ?? ?? Above: Six60 will play the first of six stadium concerts across the country at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on October 29. Left: The Mine Bay Māori rock carvings.
Above: Six60 will play the first of six stadium concerts across the country at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on October 29. Left: The Mine Bay Māori rock carvings.
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