New Zealand Travel Destination—Blue Springs｜A Dreamy Water Source Clearer Than Pocari Sweat

📍 Location Blue Springs is located near Putāruru on New Zealand's North Island, along the Te Waihou Walkway. It is a natural spring in the upper section of the Waikato River, supplying 70% of New Zealand's bottled water. ⸻ 🚗 Transportation Driving from Rotorua or Taupō takes about 1 hour. Use Google Maps to navigate to "Blue Spring – Te Waihou Walkway." There are two parking lots: the northern entrance (Leslie Road) is closer, with a round-trip walk of about 30–40 minutes; the southern entrance (Whites Road) offers a longer route, with a one-way walk of approximately 1.5 hours. ⸻ 📝 Personal Experience The first time I saw Blue Springs, the blue color was so surreal it didn’t even look like real water. The spring water is so clear it’s almost transparent, with underwater plants swaying gently with the flow. When sunlight hits, the entire stream takes on a blue-green hue, as if the surface has been painted—truly magical. I chose to enter from the southern entrance. The trail is comfortable and flat, alternating between forests, streams, and pastures, making the walk far from boring. As you approach Blue Springs, you can feel the air getting cooler, thanks to the spring water’s constant temperature of around 11°C. The whole area feels fresh and tranquil. Although this spot is well-known, it’s not overly crowded. Swimming is prohibited, which helps keep the environment pristine. It’s one of those places where you don’t need filters to capture stunning photos. Just watching the water plants and ripples can make you lose track of time.