Prepare yourself for a surreal visual experience as you journey to the breathtaking Blue Spring in Putaruru.
While the drive to this hidden gem may seem like a considerable distance from Auckland, We were rewarded with stunning picturesque countryside views. The beauty of the landscape serves as a testament to why numerous epic movies have chosen New Zealand as their captivating backdrop.
We embarked on the Te Waihou Walkway, arriving early in the morning at the Whites Road carpark near the Waihou Stream bridge. Being the first to arrive, we found solitude as no other visitors were around. We used the restroom at the carpark since we will walk along the 4.7 km Te Waihou walkway leading to the Blue Spring.
A short walk from the carpark is the entrance to the walkway.
The walk was mostly easy, with mostly flat terrain and occasional elevation.
The entire walkway took about 3 hours for the return journey, covering approximately 10 km. As one of us preferred not to walk, he drove to the Leslie Road end (near the Blue Spring) to wait for us. This arrangement meant we did not need to walk back the same route.
Booking.comThe Te Waihou Walkway: A Scenic Journey to the Blue Spring
The trail meandered alongside the Waihou River, giving us breathtaking views of its cool, clear blue water.
We watched for trout, although luck wasn’t on our side this time. Nevertheless, we were entertained by the presence of ducks and pukekos along the river, providing plenty of opportunities for photography.
At the halfway point, we crossed a bridge and continued our walk on the track on the river’s other side.
The sight of the river left us in awe—it was undeniably the most beautiful river we had ever seen.
The water was incredibly clear, displaying mesmerizing shades of green and blue, almost too picturesque to believe. The surrounding nature was equally stunning, with New Zealand’s native bush providing a captivating backdrop.
The Waikato River trails guided us through wetlands, rolling pastoral land, and views of small waterfalls until we finally reached the turquoise waters of the Blue Spring.
Note: An much shorter option for those who chose a short walk is to drive directly to the Leslie Road Carpark. From there, it’s only a ten-minute walk to the viewing platform, allowing you to savor the beauty of the spring without embarking on the full Te Waihou Walkway.
Watch the video we shot at Blue Spring Putaruru (at the end of this article) 👇👇.
The Enchanting Beauty at the Blue Spring’s Viewing Platform
At last, we reached the viewing platform of Blue Spring, and the sight that greeted us was breathtaking.
The tranquility of the surroundings made it a perfect spot to sit and immerse ourselves in the serenity of the flowing waters.
There is a pump station to treat the water before transferring it to the Putaruru township for bottling and sale.”
The blueness of the water was truly astounding, with its vivid hue captivating our senses.
If luck was on our side, we might even catch a glimpse of fish gracefully swimming amidst the clear blue waters, dancing alongside the aquatic plants that swayed with the river’s gentle flow.
On the opposite side of the viewing area, we were entranced by the sight of aquatic vegetation being gently moved by the force of the water, adding to the enchanting visual experience.
The vibrant blue hues of the spring created an otherworldly spectacle, leaving us in absolute awe of its natural beauty.
The Remarkable Purity of Blue Spring’s Water
The Blue Spring, nestled within the Te Waihou Walkway in Putaruru, New Zealand, is renowned for its incredibly clean and pure water. It is one of the purest water sources globally. This pristine water exhibits a stunning blue color yet remains almost transparent.
The water’s exceptional clarity and blue hue can be attributed to its purity, achieved through particle removal during its journey. Pure water inherently possesses a blue tint due to its ability to absorb red light, leaving only blue and some green light to be transmitted to the observer’s eye.
The aquifers and the lengthy settlement time of spring water efficiently remove both particles and light-absorbing matter, contributing to the high optical purity of the water at Blue Spring.
The journey of this pure water begins from the Mamaku Plateau, taking an impressive 50 to 100 years before reaching the Blue Spring. Once it emerges, it flows at an impressive rate of 9,240 gallons (42 cubic meters) per minute, maintaining a constant water temperature of approximately 11 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
Notably, the pure natural waters from Blue Spring serve a substantial purpose, supplying about 60% of New Zealand’s bottled water supply. The swiftness of its flow is evident, as it could fill a 6-lane, 25-meter swimming pool in a mere 12 minutes. However, swimming is discouraged despite its allure, as the water remains a chilly 11 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
In addition to the crystal clear water, the surrounding landscape captivates visitors with its unspoiled beauty, adding to the allure and charm of the famous Blue Spring.
Quick Facts about Te Waihou Walkway:
- Driving: Te Waihou Walkway is on the back road to Rotorua, linking State Highways 1 and 5 in the South Waikato District. Access is off Whites Road. Limited car parking is available, and there is no shuttle service from Putāruru township or i-SITE.
- Location: Putaruru, North Island, New Zealand
- Distance: 4.70 km
- Time Needed: 3 Hours
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Mountain Bike: Not allowed
- Wheelchair Access: Not suitable
- Track Conditions: A well-maintained, easy walk
- Track Elevation: Change in elevation of 120 meters
- Wet Feet: No, dry track
- Toilets: Four toilets available – one at the Whites Road car park, two along the track, and one at the Blue Spring.
- Dogs: Not allowed
- Camping: No camping allowed anywhere along the walkway.
- Mobile Coverage: No mobile coverage is available.
Watch the video we shot at Blue Spring Putaruru 👇👇.
We also upload a video we shot at Blue Spring Putaruru. Please click the image below to bring you to our YouTube channel (shot in high definition!). You may also want to check out our visit to Huka Falls and Aratittia Dam.
