If you’re spending a couple of days in Golden Bay, the Te Waikoropupu Springs are a must-visit.

Just a short 7km drive from Takaka the Te Waikoropupū Springs are easy to access and your total visit time will likely be 30-60 minutes.

I must admit I’d never heard of the springs before I joined this tour with Tasman Tours (booked via BookMe) and that’s what makes NZ so great.

There’s always more beauty to uncover.

1. Facts About The Te Waikoropupu Springs
2. What To Do At The Pupu Springs Takaka
How To Get To The Te Waikoropupu Springs
Are The Te Waikoropupu Springs Worth Visiting?

1. FACTS ABOUT THE WAIKOROPUPU SPRINGS

Photo by Graeme Churchard via Flickr

I have collected these facts from various sources around the web, and at the Te Waikoropupu Springs.

• Second clearest water in New Zealand, with NIWA giving the springs an average water clarity of an incredible 76 metres.
• 14,000 litres of water are pumped through the springs every second.
• The water is so clear as it’s filtered through the rocks below the springs for 10 years.
• They’re cold, with a consistent temperature of 11.7 degrees.
• They’re the biggest cold water springs south of the equator.
• They’re NZ’s largest freshwater spring.
• The Te Waikoropupu Springs walk you’ll is about 700 metres long (in a loop).
• The nitrate levels in the Pupu Springs have been rising, putting various parties at odds with one another over protected the springs going forward.

Important: You cannot touch the water at all. The springs are considered tapu, meaning they’re sacred. This ban came into effect in 2007 and has been respected ever since. If you visit, understand that no touching of the water means:

• No swimming/diving
• No drinking the water
• No wading
• No boating
• No fishing

Basically, there are no exceptions.

2. WHAT TO DO AT THE TE WAIKOROPUPU SPRINGS TAKAKA

“The boardwalk, yea yea yea”. (bonus points if you get the reference)

You’re guided along a boardwalk that takes you around a trail of native fauna (kahikatea, totara, and matai) before you eventually reach the viewing platform looking out to the springs.

The path is under 800 metres in length and with basically no elevation it won’t take you long to circle around. Along the way, you’ll see some information boards telling you about the area’s history before you eventually get to what you’re really here for…a glimpse of the lake.

to truly understand how clear the water is they’re best viewed on a sunny day, but don’t fret if it’s cloudy.

If it’s rainy, the clarity will be affected by the ripples on the water, so if visiting the springs is a maybe on your list, you can skip them (Judith mentions in the comments below that the walk was still a nice way to spend 30-minutes).

While the springs are a popular tourist site, the tour bus situation mentioned below helps. But adrenaline junkies remember, you can’t go jumping into the water here so it’s a pure sightseeing journey.

It’s a relaxing and unique thing to do in New Zealand. Even two years later it’s something that I recall fondly.

3. HOW TO GET TO THE TE WAIKOROPUPU SPRINGS

The view from the viewing platform again. Love that reflection.

There’s no public transport options to the springs, so unless you go on a tour, you’ll need to drive or hitchhike there.

No large bus tours are allowed at the springs either which is great and does a little bit to prevent over-tourism at the site.

They’re only a 6.7km/7 minute drive from Takaka so if you’re staying in town, you could walk there if you really wanted.

4. ARE THE TE WAIKOROPUPU SPRINGS WORTH IT?

If you’re in Golden Bay, yes.

I wouldn’t base my whole trip to the area just to see them, but they’re definitely worth including in your Golden Bay itinerary.

I was there on a nice day for my visit which helps to get an idea of just how clear the water is!

Are you considering going to Te Waikoropupu Springs? Or have you been already? Leave a comment below about your experience 🙂

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Jub

Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.