Putaruru Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)

Another glimpse of New Zealand's North Island. Who says the North Island lacks beautiful nature? It's not true! Just a 2-3 hour drive from Auckland, you'll find the Te Waihou Walkway, a nature trail that runs along a river with crystal-clear blue water that even lets you see algae swaying in the water. It's incredibly refreshing and soothing to the eyes. The water is so clear because it's naturally filtered over a period of 50-100 years. The water flows continuously at 43 cubic meters per minute. The temperature remains constant at 11 degrees Celsius year-round, reducing the growth of microorganisms that can cloud the water. Furthermore, there's no contamination, as the surrounding area is protected. The water is clean enough to drink. The blue color is due to the refraction of light in the ultra-pure water, which gives it a blue-green color. Getting around here is easy, as it's a natural trail with no admission fee. Parking is limited, but not too difficult to find. Parking is available on the roadside.