Last Updated on: 16 April 2026

The full Te Waihou Walkway reopened on 27 June 2025 following a major $2.1 million upgrade. Both the Leslie Road and Whites Road entrances are now open and the complete 4.7km track is walkable again. The Leslie Road car park has been tripled in size. Check the South Waikato District Council website for any future updates.

Why walk the Blue Spring Putāruru?

There’s something about the first time you see the Blue Spring that stops you in your tracks. The water is impossibly clear, a blue-green colour that doesn’t look real until you’re standing right in front of it. The birds were calling, the kowhai were flowering, and I swear even the breeze smelt purer.

Tucked away just outside Putaruru in the South Waikato, this is a short, flat walk suitable for just about anyone. It’s popular, and rightly so. Go early on weekdays if you want some quiet.

Clear water in the Blue Spring in Putaruru

🥾 Walk Overview

FactsDetails
Location:

Putāruru, Waikato

Nearest town:Putāruru (approx. 5 min drive)
Distance:4.7 km one-way (9.4 km return)
Time required:1.5–2.5 hours return (leisurely pace)
Difficulty level:Easy – Moderate (some stairs and uneven sections)
Track type:Out-and-back
Dog-friendly:No (to protect water quality)
Kid-friendly:Yes
Wheelchair accessible:Partially (from Leslie Road end only, short section)
Toilets nearby:Yes – at Whites Road car park and Leslie Road end
Best time to go:Morning on weekdays (avoid weekend crowds)
Are drones allowed:No
Are bikes allowed:No

The Blue Spring Car Park Info

  • Whites Road end (main start): room for approximately 20 to 30 cars, gets full on weekends. Do not park on State Highway 28. Parking on the highway is illegal and police are actively enforcing this
  • Leslie Road end: car park has been tripled in size as part of the 2025 upgrade, much better than before
  • Free parking at both ends
  • No public transport from Putaruru town to either carpark. You need a car
Clear water in the Blue Spring in Putaruru

Track Details

  • Track surface:
    Gravel, dirt, boardwalk, and grass.
  • Track condition:
    Well maintained but can get muddy in winter or after rain.
  • Elevation gain / steep sections:
    Gentle slopes with some stairs (especially near the Whites Road end).
  • Fitness level required:
    Low to moderate. Anyone with basic fitness will be fine.
  • Alternative routes:
    You can walk one-way from Leslie Road (shorter, flatter 1.5km stroll to the spring) if you have transport arranged.
Clear water in the Blue Spring in Putaruru

Other Walks Nearby

  • Wairere Falls — about 30 minutes drive near Matamata, a spectacular 153m waterfall, worth combining into the same day
  • Jim Barnett Reserve — short native bush tracks just out of Putaruru, easy walking, small waterfalls, basic camping on site
  • Arapuni Suspension Bridge — 20 minutes drive, the famous 152m bridge suspended 54m above the Waikato River, built in 1925

Back to Putaruru walks

Clear water in the Blue Spring in Putaruru

My Experience on This Walk

Date walked: April 2025
Weather: Cloudy with sun breaks – ideal walking temp
Track conditions: Slightly damp but manageable. Few muddy spots.
What I loved:

  • The colour of the spring. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
  • The gentle rhythm of walking next to the river, hearing birdsong all the way.
  • Stumbling upon an older couple having a thermos picnic at the viewing platform. Goals.

Unexpected moments:

  • A curious fantail followed me for nearly a kilometre.
  • A random gust of wind whipped my hat straight into the stream (RIP).

Tips I’d give:

  • Start from the Whites Road end if you want the full bush-to-spring build-up.
  • Go early in the day for fewer people and better photos.
  • Bring a spare pair of socks in case the path gets boggy.
Look for trout along the way to the Blue Springs, Te Waihou River Walk

FAQs

Can I swim in the Blue Spring?
Swimming is permitted along the river at various points, but discouraged at the Blue Spring itself. The vegetation and fish habitat around the spring have already been damaged by swimmers, so please stay out of the water there. The river at the Whites Road end is a better option if you want a swim. Be aware the water is a constant 11 degrees year round, cold even on a hot day.

Is it suitable for prams?
From the Leslie Road end, yes – flat and short. Full track is not pram-friendly.

Can I bring my dog on a lead?
No dogs allowed, even on-lead.

How deep is the Blue Spring?
Up to 15 metres deep in places, and visibility up to 63 metres.

Can I refill my bottle from the spring?
No – the water is pure but not treated. Best to bring your own.

See more of my walks in Putaruru