NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURES OF...

1.5 HR Return (2.5 km)

Seasonal restrictions The car park is closed annually from 1 October – 30 April. A park and ride shuttle bus service operates from the visitor car park at the entrance to Hahei village.

Description This popular track hugs the coast, providing dramatic views of spectacular coastal scenery along its length, finishing at the beach beneath an impressive rock archway.

A loop track at the north-western end offers an extension to the main walk with amazing views.

Getting there The nearest towns are Hahei (2 km), Whitianga (35 km) and Coromandel (54 km).

Tour operators/shuttles to/from Auckland are available. A privately operated water taxi is available from Hahei when sea conditions allow.

The track begins at a drop-off area at the end of Grange Road or from the northern end of Hahei Beach (an extra 20 minutes each way).

Due to increased increased traffic in Hahei village over summer, the car park at the start of the track is closed from 1 October to 30 April. Free parking is available at the entrance to the village instead. From there walk via the beach to the start of the walk, or use the park and ride shuttle bus (although you will miss Hahei Beach and the beautiful cliff walk).

Follow the Te Waihou Walkway to the famous Blue Spring, one of the purest water sources in the world. Traveling alongside the Waihou River, the track winds through wetlands, across rolling pastures and past small waterfalls to the turquoise water of the spring. Flowing at a rate of 42 cubic metres per minute (9240 gallons per minute), The Blue Spring could fill a six lane, 25 metre swimming pool in just over 12 minutes. It maintians a constant 11°C in every season.

The Blue Spring, Te Waihou Walkway Details: - Time: 1 hr 30 min one way – 3 hr return when walking from the Whites Road carpark. A much shorter option is from the Leslie Road carpark. - Distance: 4.7km on way plus 0.5km loop track - Track conditions: The walkway ranges from easy walking to a few steeper areas with some stiles and steps and boardwalks through wetland areas. - Getting there: The walkway is situated off Whites Road, with upstream access from Leslie Road, Putaruru. The downstream entrance is just past Leslie Road, and the Blue Spring end is 3.6km along Leslie Road. The most scenic route is to walk to the halfway point, take the loop track then return the way you came. The best access for this option is via the Leslie Road carpark.

EXPLORE GEOTHERMAL PHENOMENA Geysers, boiling mud pools & huge volcanic craters are in Rotorua, where nature's forces escape by bubbling, steaming & hissing from the inner earth. Discover the sights and wonders of this city sitting squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Rotorua is a volcanic wonderland with extraordinary landscapes and incredible geothermal attractions - each with their own unique features, rare flora and fauna, and all rich in Maori history and folklore. Sitting within the Pacific Rim of Fire, the region has one of the world’s most active geothermal fields. The legendary Pohutu Geyser in Te Puia, just five minutes from Rotorua city central, erupts to a height of 30m (100 feet) up to 20 times a day, and once erupted non-stop for more than 250 days! The unforgettable smell of sulphur, clouds of steam and volcanic activity are a natural part of life in Rotorua.

• Enjoy breakfast on a Saturday morning at the Kuirau Park markets in the central city before taking a walk around the free thermal reserve which features beautiful public gardens, bubbling mud pools, colourful hot lakes, and free thermal foot pools.
• Take a bike ride on the Te Ara Ahi – Thermal by Bike trail past four major geothermal attractions and stop along the way for a dip in a natural hot river. - Or visit a Maori village where the people live amongst the geothermal activity and use the boiling water to cook, bathe and warm their homes. Rotorua offers a range of options for swimming or relaxing in the magnificent thermal waters. Warm up in a natural lakeside hot pool, stand under a hot waterfall, or float under the Milky Way in a hot stream. The city also features a thermally heated public swimming pool, and a number of luxurious thermal spa   *Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland ($32.50) New Zealand's most colourful geothermal attraction - just a short drive from either Rotorua or Taupo. An area in which the landscape has been sculptured by geothermal activity and where unique volcanic features can be viewed from well defined tracks. https://www.newzealand.com/au/plan/business/wai-o-tapu-thermal-wonderland/

*Polynesian Spa (22) Escape to Polynesian Spa and unlock nature’s gift in Rotorua. Nestled on the shores of Lake Rotorua lies Polynesian Spa – a geothermal bathing and soul soothing retreat, where you can experience wellness sourced from Rotorua’s very own backyard. https://www.newzealand.com/au/plan/business/polynesian-spa/

Wild blue river look out walk (10 minutes)

From the Huka Falls carpark, cross the bridge over the falls and turn left. There are several lookout points on this easy access walk to take advantage of the views of the spectacular Huka Falls.