A Stunning Kaleidoscope
Te Waihou Walkway
A treasure of a track at Putāruru, near Matamata and Hobbiton. Catch the walkway, continue downstream for 4 km, bush on one side, multi-colored prism on the other.
Directions: From the Leslie Road carpark, trudge uphill and be dazzled at the first glimpse of the blues and greens.
A NZ Facebook post led us here and judging by astonished emojis and comments, it is a secret spot.
The spring, a constant 55ºF, provides 60% of NZ’s bottled water. Taking 100 years to filter and bubble up, a 6 lane swimming pool could be filled in 12 minutes.
Hamurana Spring Nature Reserve
Equally stunning near Rotorua, the Hamurana Spring Nature Reserve is North Island’s deepest natural springs. The nature reserve winds amongst redwoods and is home to flocks of black swans. Directions: Northern (top) side of Lake Rotorua, via Lake 30 or Lake 36 North.
It has been under guardianship of the local iwi Ngāti Rangiwewehi since the 1300’s.
From Hamaurana Springs to Okere Falls
The warm water of Hamurana Springs spends 70 years underground, bubbling up at 4 million liters of water/hour to run over Okere Falls via the Kaituna River. So much fun for kayakers, commencing at Gnarly Gorge – Pari Tūkino.
Look Up, Way Up! Redwood Forest
The Whakarewarewa Forest (fah-ka-re-wah-re-wah) and Hamurana Springs contain plantations of California Coastal Redwoods planted in 1901.
The Redwood Tree Walk: 28 swinging bridges through a canopy of 100+ year-old trees, looking down onto fern trees and silver leaf palms.
Dendrophilia – A Person Who Loves Trees
Before settlers, 85% of land was covered by forest. Today, 25% of indigenous forest remain with nearly all lowland area cleared for agriculture. Intensive clearance was undertaken by European Settlers. Source: Te Papa Museum, Wellington, NZ
Chinese Proverb:
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The next best time is now.
Home away from Home-Lake Rotoiti
Many thanks to friends who generously opened their house to us. Rotoiti is a great location as a touring base.
Things We Missed:
- Manupiria Hot Springs (accessible by boat)
- Hinehopu (Hongi’s) track, a 2.2km, 1.5 hours one way, track
- Hells Gate Mud Bath and Spas
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Travel Broadly - Marlene & Steve 
Beautiful, serene, thrilling. Really enjoy these images and vicarious travels with you 💜
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The secret blue green spot brought tears to my eyes – such beauty! Then came the black swan. Could hardly breathe. Followed by the awesome kayak launch that we all wish we had. With an encore of the redwood tree walk – yes, I’m a dendrophelia. Such a generous post. Thank you for the joy xo
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Have you seen any blue mushrooms yet? Can’t remember where we saw them but they were almost neon! I saw the “blue/green” lagoons. Absolutely gorgeous colors! Your pics DO do them justice! Travel on…
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Thank you for reading! We have found such colorful mushrooms on South Island near Able Tasman. Blue, purple! Outstanding.
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