Great news for Blue Spring visitors! The Leslie Road entrance to Te Waihou Walkway is back open as of 5th December 2024, after being closed for upgrades over the past year. You can now walk about a kilometer of the track from Leslie Road and check out the main viewing platform. Just keep in mind that the rest of the walkway (including the Whites Road entrance) is still closed while the Council finishes upgrading the track structures. They’ve got signs and fencing up to keep everyone safe. If all goes to plan, the whole walkway should be open from both ends early next year. Check here for updates from the council.
The water is so pure it’s bottled and sold and supplies around 60% of New Zealand’s bottled water. We enjoyed seeing trout swimming in the crystal clear water as we followed the track alongside the river to the Blue Spring.
The water has been filtered over 100 years which produces this beautiful blue colour and is super clear. You really have to go there to truly experience how stunning it is. If you want a very short walk, 15 minutes each way, then park the car in the car park down Leslie Road.
The Blue Spring – Te Waihou Walkway is open all year round. We took our lunch and enjoyed the water views, but please take your rubbish with you. Although there is no swimming allowed at the Blue Spring itself you can swim at the Whites Rd end car park and along the Te Waihou river at various points.
If you plan on trying your hand at fishing for those beautiful trout along the way, don’t forget to buy a fishing license.
NOTE: The walk from either end is temporarily closed until Nov 2024. Check here for updates from the council.
The track is so easy to find from the car park. Follow the gravel track up to the first bridge. 15 minutes into the walk you will pass the bio toilet, yes it is the only one on the walk. The track is very easy to follow. At the bridge, you can take the high road or the low road. We crossed over the bridge on the way up to the Blue Spring and came back on the low road.
The last section of the walk is through a gorge, so they say, I would call it a gully. This gully was a bit on the rough side when we did this walk. I hope the track has been worked on since then. You will get the chance to look down into the Waihou River and see trout darting in and out of the weed.
At the Blue Spring, there is a pump shed, this is where spring water is pumped into Putaruru town where the spring water is bottled and sold to a number of bottled water companies in NZ. From the pump shed, you can walk up the hill and onto the track leading to Leslie Road, this will save you 20 minutes, so long as someone picks you up at the road end.
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51 Responses
Hello
I am planning to visit this beautiful place with my 3 year old son in last week on January 2025.
1) Is the parking available at Leslie Road Entrance?
2) How far I have to walk with my 3 year old to see Blue springs as he won’t be able to walk 4.7kms per side?
The Leslie Road entrance is now open and is about 1 km to walk to see the Blue Springs from the car park. Hope that helps.
Thanks
Sandra
I used to live in the house on the corner of Whites Road and Leslie Road. We drew our water from the Te Waihou River and we were always fixing the pump on the river. Of course we fished ( best trout ever) and swam in the River. I remember a local farmer using his machinery to make us a dive hole in the river. Wonder if the house is still there. Cannot believe it is now a tourist attraction. I live in Florida now.
Hi Rosalyn, thanks so much for sharing your story, that’s totally awesome. Not sure if you old house is there either! I imagine the trout would be the best ever, they are huge!
I remember you Roslyn. I was Carol Hubbard, my sister is Linda and my brother is Roger. We went to school on the same school bus. You had a little sister too – Andrea ? and a wee brother as well. I think that your home is still there but by memory there are so many trees around it that it is hard to tell. The walkway development is such a popular place for people to visit. It is very beautiful and to think that the water from the spring has taken a thousand years to come up – filtered all the way so no wonder it is so pure. Isn’t it amazing that even though you are so far away these links to our early lives are still imprtant . Have a wonderful Christmas.
Hi is it safe to do this trail by yourself?
Hi Clare, yes of course this walk is very safe and perfectly fine by yourself. Hope you enjoy it.
Hi, mind if I know how long does it takes to reach the bench seats at the end of the blue spring walk?
Hi Ivy, it takes about 1.5 hours to get to the bench seats.
Hi. Will be traveling in January 2024. Will the Leslie car park side be repaired or is it permanently closed?
Hi Mark, sorry I’m not sure when it will be fixed. It’s not permanently closed, just waiting for the council to fix it.
Hi Mark, I’ve had an update from the council and the whole walk is now closed until Nov 2024.
Hi, Are we able to use a drone to video sections of our walk?
I was there yesterday and enjoyed the walk… I have one nagging question… what kind of plants was under the water!!! It was very crystal clear to see the beautiful green plants. 😉
Hi Kenneth, sorry I don’t know the answer to that question. Best to get in contact with South Waikato District Council, they should be able to tell you.
Can you please advise if walk is currently open (due to the recent weather events)?
If so, what are the opening hours for the carpark on a Saturday?
Thanks!
Hi Liz, the entrance from Leslie Rd is currently closed, but from Whites Rd where the car park is, it’s all good. The carpark is open all the time. It won’t take long for the other entrance to be fixed though.
Hi I am just wondering if any of the roads from state highway 5 & 28, coming from Rotorua, have been affected by the floods? And would it be safe to drive from Rotorua to the Te Waihou walkway?
Thanks
Hi, sorry I’m not the best person to answer this question. Have a look on NZTA website, they have the latest info on road closures. Here is the link: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/
Hi,
since there is a high road and a low road, and the hike is not a loop… Can we do the hike taking the high road first, and the return with the low road (or the opposite 😉 ) ? Thank you in advance for your answer ! Excited to visit this magical place.
Hi Camille, yes you can start the walk from either Whites Rd end or Leslie Rd end. Hope you enjoy the walk.
Can any one point out where you can swim as there’s no signs saying around the white ends road side ??
Hi Kylie, you’re not allowed to swim in the river.
Hi, can i drink the water in the blue spring? So i don’t need to carry my bottle of water.
Hi Kelly, it’s best you take your own water bottle.
Hi
Is the track pram friendly, I would like to bring my kid but 4.7 km would be too long to carry.
Will this track be okay with a pushchair?
Hi. Can you please let me who manages the area? I’d like to do some filming there and would seek permission first. Thanks!
Hi Cam, its the South Waikato District Council that you need to speak too. Thanks.
How can I get to Blue Spring from Putaruru City? There is no transportation because we take the intercity .thanks
Hi, unfortunately there is no public transport from Putaruru town to the beginning of the walk. You really need your own car. It’s not recommended you try and walk from Putaruru to the walk either as it’s on the main highway and there is no footpath. Hope that helps.
May I know where the exact place to start the 15-min short walk and where exactly we should park our car down Leslie Road? I tried to Google Leslie Road but seems cannot see a parking area.
For the 15-min short walk, can we still see the beautiful scenery as I’m afraid my kids won’t be able to take the 3h walk😅
Hi Mandy, yes you can start the walk from Leslie Rd. Sure you will see the lovely river along the way.
Hello, I plan to visit the spring on September 29, 2023, will the Leslie road be open to do the short walk?
Thanks for your answer.
Hi Claudia, it appears that the Leslie Rd end is still closed, you can check the council website for updates here: https://www.southwaikato.govt.nz/our-district/sport-and-recreation/parks-and-reserves/te-waihou-walkway
Thanks
Sandra
Hi There, will someone with an electric scooter be able to see this if we parked at Leslie Road end and did the 15 min walk ? I know it says no wheelchairs but would the same apply to an electrical scooter?
Hi Marlee
The track is not wide enough in places for a wheelchair and is not super flat. I’m sure it will be fine for an electric scooter.
Just wondering how safe it is to leave the car for 3 hours please?
Hi Stephen, it’s safe to leave your car. Just make sure not to leave anything valuable on the seats or things in view.
Hi, we plan to bring our kids here during Xmas time. May I know if there will be any dates it’s not opened?
Hi, this walk is always open to everyone and free to walk anytime. There are never any restrictions on it unless perhaps there is maintenance work or something like that. I hope you and your family enjoy this walk.
Hi just confirming is there 2 actual starting locations for the walk ?, we’re just looking at doing the 15 minute walk Thankyou
Hi David, yes there are two starting locations, however, the main one is much better, but for a shorter walk, you can park down Leslie Rd and walk from there. Hope you enjoy your walk.
Are there any good spots for a swim in the river?
Hi Dave, if you can find somewhere to get in, go for it, but be prepared, it’s going to be really cold even on a hot summer day. It’s normally around 11 degrees celsius all year round. Please don’t swim at the Blue Spring or the surrounding area to help preserve the environment.
I’ve seen photo of a sign saying not to swim at the spring.
I’d assume that would also mean not to swim anywhere near it along the river?
Hi, yes you are correct there is not swimming anywhere along the river. Hope you enjoy the walk.
Hi! Are the roads going to Blue Spring now open? We tried going there in February but the area (I think Whites Road) was closed off due to roadworks in the vicinity. Also, do we have to walk the entire 4.7km to enjoy sighting the plants under crystal clear waters as shown on photo here? I’m asking as not sure our 6-year old would be willing to walk that distance 🙁
Hi Angie, yes the road is open now. No, you don’t have to walk the entire 4.7km to enjoy sighting the plants under the crystal clear waters, you will see them straight away from the beginning of the walk. The water is beautiful the whole way. Hope you enjoy your walk.
where is the map, I saw lots of featurised pictures that get big and small , awkward to read, but no map link, ohhh jezzz..waste of time.. and i see macpac are selling boots, but so what,
Hi Joanne, thanks so much for letting me know the map was not working and a couple of the photos were too close up. I’ve fixed this up now and it should read and look a lot better. Thanks again for your feedback.