Putaruru

Your first stop is Putaruru Blue Spring. It is a stunning natural attraction renowned for its crystal-clear, vibrant blue waters. The spring is fed from the Mamaku Plateau, where the water takes up to 100 years to filter through; the resulting water is so pure and clean that it produces a beautiful blue colour while being virtually clear. The Te Waihou Walkway offers a scenic route through native bush and alongside the Waihou River, leading visitors to the Blue Spring and takes 1 hr 30 minutes one way and 3 hr return when walking from the Whites Road carpark. A much shorter option is from the Leslie Road carpark, 15 minutes each way. You have a chance to visit Boutique galleries and gift stores are plentiful in Tirau, while Tokoroa, a little further south, celebrates its forestry heritage with the carved Talking Poles and NZ Timber Museum.

Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village

Whakarewarewa is the legacy and home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who have been sharing their unique way of life with visitors from around the world for over 200 years. A 2-hour experience: you will start with a 1-hour guided tour through part of our Geothermal Trails, combining views of native ferns and edible plants with glimpses of our unique geothermal landscape, including colourful steaming lakes and thermal pools that can only be viewed at Whakarewarewa. After completing the guided portion of the tour, you will be welcome to explore the rest of our Geothermal Trail on your own, enjoying further views and information about our landscape, flora, and geothermal wonders.