The Stunning Putaruru Blue Spring New Zealand – All You Need To Know

If crystal clear water set amongst rolling hills and native New Zealand forest is your vibe, then you must visit the Putaruru Blue Spring. This pristine section of the Waihou River is accessible by walking along the Te Waihou Walkway. The water here is so clear that, unsurprisingly, it supplies around 70% of New Zealand’s bottled water and around half of the nearby town of Putaruru.

In this post I’ll tell you where the Blue Spring is and how to get there. I’ll share a bit of general information about the Putaruru Blue Spring and the Te Waihou Walkway and answer a few frequently asked questions. I’ll also let you know what you can expect when visiting this incredibly beautiful part of New Zealand.

Parts of the Te Waihou Walkway had been closed for upgrading and maintenance work, however it is now fully open and a short hike along this stunning stretch of New Zealand water is definitely worth adding to your New Zealand itinerary.

Where are the Blue Spring and Te Waihou Walkway?

The Blue Spring (sometimes referred to as the Blue Springs) is located about 5 kilometres (3 miles) from Putaruru in the South Waikato region. The Te Waihou Walkway runs alongside the Waihou River and past the Blue Spring itself.

The Te Waihou Walkway has two access points – Whites Road and Leslie Road. To access these entrances, turn off State Highway 1 or State Highway 5 and turn on to State Highway 28 (Whites Road). Leslie Road is off Whites Road.

Driving distances will vary of course depending on where you are coming from. As a general guide however, estimated distances from the more popular starting points are as follows:

• Putaruru – about 5 kilometres (5 minutes)
• Tirau – about 9.5 kilometres (10 minutes)
• Rotorua – about 48 kilometres (40 minutes)
• Hamilton – about 66 kilometres (55 minutes)
• Auckland – about 184 kilometres (2 hours)

If you do not have access to a car or you are staying just in the Auckland region, then a combined tour of Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves and the Blue Spring is possible. Tours such as this are popular though, so you should consider booking well in advance.

Putaruru Blue Spring – Frequently Asked Questions

Before setting out the details about the walk to the Blue Spring, I think it worth answering a few frequently asked questions:

1. Are the Putaruru Blue Springs closed?

No, the Blue Spring is not closed. The Leslie Road end of the Walkway to get to the Spring was closed in June 2023 after a rockfall and a slip. The increased use of the Whites Road access point caused an overflow of cars and safety issues so the entire Walkway was closed in November 2023.

The Walkway is now fully reopened following maintenance and upgrading.

2. Where does the water come from?

The water comes from the Mamaku Plateau which is located to the west and northwest of Rotorua. It can take between 50 and 100 years to reach the Blue Spring.

Fun fact: the water flows from the Spring at a rate of 42 cubic metres per minute meaning it could fill a six lane 25 metre pool in just over 12 minutes!

3. Why is the water so blue?

According to an information board on the Walkway, the blue colour and visual clarity of the water is as a result of the high optical purity of the water with light absorbing particles having been removed as a result of the length of time the spring water spends in underground aquifers.

4. Can I swim in the Blue Spring

Swimming at the Blue Spring itself and immediately upstream is discouraged in order to prevent environmental damage (plus it’s cold at around 11º Celsius or 52º Fahrenheit!). Swimming at the Whites Road end of the Walkway is permitted.

5. Are dogs allowed on the Te Waihou Walkway?

No.

6. What facilities are along the Te Waihou Walkway

There are toilets but no cafes. Picnics are permitted but you must take away any rubbish and not litter on the Walkway.

7. What is the cultural significance of the Blue Spring?

The Blue Spring is a natural taonga (treasure) formed over hundreds of thousands of years. An information board on the Walkway asks visitors to join the South Waikato District Council, the local community and Raukawa (the iwi of the region) as kaitiaki (guardians) to do what we can to protect the Blue Spring for future generations. Please therefore respect its cultural importance and do not swim in the Blue Spring.

Hike Details

As I mentioned above, there are two access points to the trail. From the Whites Road carpark, it’s a 4.7km (one way) hike that takes about 3 hours return to walk.

For a shorter walk, start at the Leslie Road car park and walk about 15 minutes to a viewing platform. 

The Blue Spring via the Te Waihou Walkway details as set out on AllTrails are:

• Length – 8.2 kilometres (about 5 miles). Note this differs from the official distance stated above.
• Elevation Gain – 162 metres (about 531 feet)
• Average Time – 2 hours 1 minute
• Type – out and back
• Difficulty – moderate

Do keep in mind however that due to the partial trail closure, hiking distances and average time are less than this. It’s also likely that you will stop every few metres to take more photos and video!

I began my hike from the Whites Road carpark. Those parts of the trail I walked were a mix of dirt and boardwalk. They were relatively flat, although I understand other parts of the trail (not yet open) may contain stairs.

The Blue Spring itself is about 800 metres (half a mile) along the Te Waihou Walkway from the Leslie Road end. It’s located in the round alcove directly across from the viewing platform about 8 metres (26 feet) down in the river bed.

What to Expect

Natural beauty everywhere! The river is beautiful and its setting amongst the surrounding farmland and native forest only enhances that beauty. Within the river itself you will see freshwater plants growing and floating on the current as well as fish. Ducks and other bird life also call the area home.

I spent around an hour on the Walkway over lunchtime and whilst there were quite a few people visiting at the same time, it did not feel overcrowded. I imagine there will be fewer visitors early morning and evening, but I can’t imagine it being so overcrowded at any time as to not be worth visiting. Go at whatever time works for you!

Visitor Tips

In my experience, the walk along the Te Waihou Walkway was not particularly challenging, however here are a few tips for those planning a visit:

• wear sunscreen – the NZ sun is no joke! A hat and sunglasses are also advisable in summer
• wear comfortable walking shoes
• take insect repellant (just in case!)
• the boardwalk is not fenced so be careful when near the edge. Parents…keep an eye on your kids!

Final Thoughts

A visit to the Blue Spring and Te Waihou Walkway should definitely be on your North Island itinerary. A relatively easy walk alongside a beautifully clear river surrounded by native trees and shrubs offers visitors a real kiwi experience.

New Zealand is often lauded for its natural beauty and in this small corner of the country you will experience just that.

If you are looking for more things to do in the Waikato region do read my post 8 Things to Do in the Waikato New Zealand and if you need any further assistance with planning your trip to New Zealand, do check my Resources page.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.