The Putaruru Blue Springs in the North Island’s South Waikato is as incredible as it sounds; a brilliantly blue, freshwater wonderland.
I’ve never seen anything like it! With uncannily clear water and vibrant blues and greens, it is magnificent to see, and surely the Waikato’s best kept secret.
The walk to the Blue Springs is a short, easy walk alongside the Waihou River.
Read on for everything you need to know about the springs, the beautiful Waihou Walkway track and how to get there.
About the Blue Springs
As the name hints, the water in the Waihou River rises up from a spring below the ground. Before reaching the surface, it passes through a natural underground aquifer taking between 50 – 100 years. And as a result, the water at the springs is incredibly clear having filtered out any impurities on the way.
The temperature in the spring sits at a constant 11 degrees Celsius year round. It flows along the Waihou River from the Blue Springs at a rate of approximately 42 cubic metres per minute. That’s enough water to fill a 6 lane, 23 metre swimming pool in only 12 minutes!
Te Waihou Walkway Details
The Waihou Walkway is a beautiful walking track, winding alongside the river right up until and beyond the main source of the Blue Springs.
The track is well maintained, and makes for an easy, one-way walk suitable for all levels of fitness.
- Duration of walk: 1 hr 30 min one way – 3 hr return walk
- Shorter walk option: 15 minutes walk one way from Leslie Road carpark to Blue Springs
- Distance: 4.7 km one way
- Difficulty: Easy
- Track conditions: A well maintained, easy walk
- Track elevation: Change in elevation of 120 metres
- Cost: There is no charge to walk the track
- Toilets: Yes
- Mobile coverage: No
Options for walking to the Blue Springs
There is a carpark at each end of the walking trail, offering three options for walking to the Blue Springs:
- One-way walk: Park your vehicle at either end of the trail, and walk the track in one direction (approximately 1.5 hours one way). Arrange for transport from the other end of the track to get back to your vehicle (10 minutes drive).
- Walk the track both ways: Start from one end and return on the trail via the same track (3 hr return walk).
- Shorter walk option: Park at Leslie Road carpark and walk 15 minutes one-way to the Blue Springs. Return along the same easy path to the Leslie Road carpark.
Walking the track
The first part of the track from Leslie Road carpark follows the river along to the main lookout over the Blue Springs. The path crosses a bridge before reaching boardwalks along the main Blue Springs source.
Local tip (from our kids): Keep an eye out for trout swimming below the bridge. This is the best place to spot them!
From the main lookout, the path becomes a bit narrower and meanders alongside the river. There are a few steeper areas however the change in elevation is less than 120 metres for the entire pathway.
Walking the track with kids
The track to Putaruru Blue Springs is ideal for an easy family walk. Because of the three different length walking options it is suitable for younger children as well.
There are a few places where the path widens and there is a grassy space with a picnic table and bench approximately halfway along the track.
Local tip: Our kids always enjoy seeing the water wheel in action near the halfway mark on the trail. (And be prepared… This sparks a lot of conversation about different ways of powering machinery and what it might be used for!).
Best time to visit
Being a spring-fed river, there is an abundance of water to the Blue Springs throughout the year. However, given that the weather is usually the best during the summer months (December to February) there is often also an abundance of visitors on the trial at this time too.
December and January are the busiest months on the trail. Although summers in New Zealand are tending to be gradually longer and thus Autumn is a warm and beautiful time to visit with the chance of less others around.
Note: Peak tourism season in New Zealand generally stretches between October and April.
The golden hour just before sunset and just after sunrise have beautiful lighting on the trail and are ideal for photography. Though do be prepared and make sure you aren’t caught out and still walking the trail at dark. There is no lighting along the track.
Find Putaruru Blue Springs
The Waihou River is located off the back roads between Putaruru and Rotorua.
The first carpark is situated off Whites Road, with upstream access to the walking trail from a second carpark off Leslie Road. The Leslie Road carpark is the closest park to the main sight of the Blue Springs.
Distances from other destinations
From the Leslie Road carpark, the Putaruru Blue Springs is not far to other nearby towns and destinations.
- Putaruru: 9 mins (9 km) via State Hwy 28
- Tirau: 15 mins (13 km) via State Hwy 5
- Rotorua: 45 mins (52 km) via State Hwy 5
- Matamata: 26 mins (32.4 km) via State Hwy 28
- Taupo: 1 hr 10 mins (95.2 km) via State Hwy 1
Know before you go
- Toilets: There are four toilets on the trail. One at Whites Road, two along the trail and one next to the Blue Springs.
- Parking: There are carparks at both ends of the trail at Leslie Road and Whites Road. Be sure to lock your car and take your valuables with you.
- No wheelchair access: Although the majority of the track is flat and with wide walking paths, there is no wheelchair access due to pedestrian swing-gates at each end to keep stock out.
- More information: Check the South Waikato District Council site for further information, track updates and FAQ. The Mighty Waikato website also has further details on the trail.
Recommending the Blue Springs
The Waihou Walkway is perfect as a poignant place to ponder or a beautiful spot for some fresh air and a stretch of the legs. If you have heard of it but haven’t been to see it yet, it is an incredible sight of nature to see, and definitely one to be shared and cared for by all.
