August 07, 2014

Te Waihou, A River Out Of A Fairy Tale In New Zealand


                                                                        


                                                                     

With a tropical look thanks to the exuberant vegetation, a dazzling display of colours, and a crystal clear water purified after over 100 years travelling underground, Te Waihou river is another hidden gem that most tourists pass by without exploring.

Te Waihou Walkway & the Blue Spring are located near Putaruru, going northwest from the rotten valley of Roturua, famous for being a stinky geothermal wonderland.
The water flows from the Blue Spring, considered one of the country's best swimming holes. It stays at a chilling 11 degrees temperature all year.
                                                                   
The walk to the springs follows a track alongside the river, through a picturesque and rural land.The walk takes 90 minutes (one way) upstream from the car park.In the upper stream, the water is extremely clear and pure, with an intense blue hue.
This source supplies around 70% of New Zealand’s bottled water.According to the local tourism office of Hamilton & Waikato, water from the Blue Spring flows at a rate of 42 cubic metres per minute and could fill a 6 lane (25 metre) swimming pool in around 12 minutes.
The water comes from the Mamaku Ranges, a long trip of over 100 years.During this long stay in aquifers, particles and light-absorbing matter are removed from the water, leaving it with a very high clarity and characteristic blue-green colour.
By Ra Moon
                                                                           
With thanks to Atlas of Wonders.
More pictures and info there.