Te Waikoropupu Springs
Takaka
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
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I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Information
Te Waikoropupu Springs
Approx 2 km return | 30-45 minutes return
Exceptional water clarity and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest spring. Look don’t touch! These waters are so pure even the skin oils of a human hand are considered polluting.
Pupu Springs (Te Waikoropupū Springs) is a short, interactive walk past historic gold working sites and a beautiful stream.
The Pupu Springs contains some of the clearest water recorded in the world - 63 metres horizontally.
A place of healing for Maori so respect and enjoy!
Walking Track
Access
From Takaka take SH60 towards Collingwood.
After about 4 km, just after crossing the Takaka River, turn left onto Pupu Valley Road.
The springs are well signposted on Pupu Springs Road, where there is a big parking area and toilets at the road end, 3.4 km from the SH 60.
Track
The track is exceptionally well maintained with bridges, boardwalks and plenty of metal. There’s an underwater viewing area so you can see just how far the clarity permits.
Geology
In 2017-18 a new study using the latest technology found the clarity of the water to give a visibility of 75m - up from 63m given 25 years ago. Over 1 million data points were used.
From deep in the limestone karst, the groundwater which has been in underground storage for several years, is eventually released at a balmy 11.7 degrees celsius. Flow rate varies between 5.6 and 24.2 cubic metres per second.
The spring is a karst resurgence and flows through Arthur Marble and then passes a through a basal grit of Motupipi Coal measures. This outcrops on the entrance road.
The ‘Main Spring’ is around 1.5 m wide and the ‘Dancing Sand Spring’ has several vents. The springs exhibit a twice daily fluctuation relating to the tides.
Flora
Few old podocarps grow on the alluvial sands of the area. Most vegetation in the area has been modified and is now a regenerating scrub of tea trees and broadleaves.
Polynesian History
Huriawa is known as the kaitiaki (guardian) of the springs. She was summoned by the ancestor Rakaihautu to protect the spring. This taniwha is both creator of waterways and caretaker. Local iwi consider these waters as sacred. They are used for blessings and healing.
European History
Takaka….Ta Kaka….The Caca…..Greek for dung or poo. And just nearby are the ‘Pupu’ springs - the clearest water in the world! Such is the play of language!
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
Well, that hasn’t happened to me before, 2 consecutive reviews 5 years apart.
Still a great place to visit. Disappointed with the dancing sands as we didn’t see it but perhaps they had an off day.
What I like about places like this is there is no entry fee unlike so many places in my country.
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5.0/5
08Oct18.
The walk is like many others but the springs were what we went for. Last visited in 2014 and still as good. Fascinating to watch the water welling up and breaking the surface. So clear. Good viewing platform. Check out the Dancing Sand spring.
The boards at the start of the walk are interesting too.
We remember there used to be spring water on tap in the picnic area but it appears no longer the case. A pity.
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4.5/5
New Zealand's most clear water spring.
It is a beautiful place with a tranquil surrounding.
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4.5/5
Largest spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
Nice, easy walk (45 minutes), suitable for a buggy or wheelchair. Done it in the rain and was worth the detour. More impressive when the weather is good.
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4.0/5
Nice and easy walk, you can see everything underneath this clear water, it is gorgeous.
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5.0/5
Best to see when sunny, the water is so clear, the walk is not even 20 minutes but you can stay there and take pictures for such a long time and the Maori history gives it a special feeling!
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4.5/5
It is such a nice walk through the bush; the water is so pure and clear.
We would never see anything comparative to that before. It is just amazing and also for free.
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2.5/5
Lovely track but the Springs were not as spectacular as expected.
But if you are in Takaka then I would do them.
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5.0/5
Well, that hasn’t happened to me before, 2 consecutive reviews 5 years apart.
Still a great place to visit. Disappointed with the dancing sands as we didn’t see it but perhaps they had an off day.
What I like about places like this is there is no entry fee unlike so many places in my country.
-
5.0/5
08Oct18.
The walk is like many others but the springs were what we went for. Last visited in 2014 and still as good. Fascinating to watch the water welling up and breaking the surface. So clear. Good viewing platform. Check out the Dancing Sand spring.
The boards at the start of the walk are interesting too.
We remember there used to be spring water on tap in the picnic area but it appears no longer the case. A pity.
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4.5/5
Largest spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
Nice, easy walk (45 minutes), suitable for a buggy or wheelchair. Done it in the rain and was worth the detour. More impressive when the weather is good.
-
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4.0/5
Nice and easy walk, you can see everything underneath this clear water, it is gorgeous.
-
4.5/5
New Zealand's most clear water spring.
It is a beautiful place with a tranquil surrounding.
-
-
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5.0/5
Best to see when sunny, the water is so clear, the walk is not even 20 minutes but you can stay there and take pictures for such a long time and the Maori history gives it a special feeling!
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4.5/5
It is such a nice walk through the bush; the water is so pure and clear.
We would never see anything comparative to that before. It is just amazing and also for free.
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5.0/5
Stunning!!
Only a short walk to the Springs. We arrived in the evening on an overcast day and the Springs did not disappoint. Kids loved it as well!
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2.5/5
Lovely track but the Springs were not as spectacular as expected.
But if you are in Takaka then I would do them.
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5.0/5
It is such a wonderful place and spiritual place, because the water is perfectly clear and there is a beautiful forest.
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5.0/5
Beautiful to see the water pumping up out of the ground, crystal clear water, a nice stop when passing by.
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4.5/5
The springs are amazing - so clear.
The colours from the water is great. It is a quick and nice walk.
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3.5/5
Very pretty but it was such a small walk to see the spring.
I would have liked to see more!!
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3.5/5
Impressive transparent waters but the walk was too short.
There were too many tourists.
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5.0/5
Beautiful walk, short enough to do with a three year old and one year old - we even took the stroller.
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3.5/5
Is worth it if you are around the area.
Short walk around the clearest springs I have ever seen.
