With a tropical look thanks to
the exuberant vegetation, a dazzling display of colours, and a crystal clear
water purified after over 100 years travelling underground, Te Waihou river is
another hidden gem that most tourists pass by without exploring.
Te Waihou Walkway & the Blue Spring are located near Putaruru, going northwest from the rotten valley of Roturua, famous for being a stinky geothermal wonderland.
Te Waihou Walkway & the Blue Spring are located near Putaruru, going northwest from the rotten valley of Roturua, famous for being a stinky geothermal wonderland.
The water flows from the Blue
Spring, considered one of the country's best swimming holes. It stays at a
chilling 11 degrees temperature all year.
The walk to the springs
follows a track alongside the river, through a picturesque and rural
land.The walk takes 90 minutes (one way)
upstream from the car park.In the upper
stream, the water is extremely clear and pure, with an intense blue
hue.
This source supplies
around 70% of New Zealand’s bottled water.According to the local tourism office of Hamilton & Waikato, water from the Blue Spring flows at a rate of 42
cubic metres per minute and could fill a 6 lane (25 metre) swimming pool in
around 12 minutes.
The water comes from the
Mamaku Ranges, a long trip of over 100 years.During this long stay in aquifers, particles and
light-absorbing matter are removed from the water, leaving it with a very high
clarity and characteristic blue-green colour.
By Ra Moon
With thanks to Atlas of
Wonders.
More pictures and info there.
