Auckland to Te Puia & Blue Springs Review: Geothermal Wonders
Thinking about a day trip from Auckland that’s just brimming with bubbling mud pools, a walk among gigantic redwoods, and some shockingly blue waters? A combined visit to Te Puia, the Redwoods, and the Blue Springs just might tick all those boxes. That said, it’s almost like taking a sampler platter of New Zealand’s North Island highlights. What follows, very much, is a breakdown of what you could perhaps expect, is that it offers some advice for your possible travels.
Te Puia: A Whiff of Rotorua’s Geothermal Heart
Te Puia, very often positioned in Rotorua, happens to be at something of the center of New Zealand’s geothermal activity. Think geysers, steaming vents, and mud pools just doing their bubbling thing. That, basically, makes it a feast for the senses (well, maybe not *all* the senses; there’s certainly that eggy smell!). That alone may very well get one to remember being here. One very popular draw happens to be the Pōhutu Geyser, which usually puts on a great show by erupting quite high into the air. Now, timing may be everything to be honest, because the geyser has a tendency to be rather temperamental, and doesn’t always perform right on cue. Another pretty great thing is that you get to see some Māori cultural performances. So, you get a peek into the dances and songs of the local people. In some respects, it’s a nice touch and really does give one some context to the landscape you’re looking at. There is a dedicated school of carving in the park too it’s almost, which means one might just glimpse at students practicing their craft, keeping these art forms still going.
Redwood Forest: Towering Giants a Short Drive Away
Just a hop and skip away from Te Puia (Rotorua), arguably, one is going to locate the Redwoods. That, really, isn’t like any normal forest. These trees happen to be huge and, quite literally, make one feel extremely small. Now, there just might be various trails that weave through the forest, suiting pretty much everyone from those seeking just a leisurely stroll, or something slightly strenuous. Very high amongst the options one could opt to make use of the Redwood Treewalk, which might just involve suspension bridges strung between the trees. And what that offers, actually, is some really stunning views of the forest from above. Very much, the whole aura could be somewhat calming; the air does smell fresh and, typically, sunlight filtering through the canopy really casts some light and shadow patterns, arguably adding to the place’s somewhat magical allure.
Blue Springs (Putaruru): Water So Pure, It’s Unreal
That’s so impressive, and one really ought to make an effort to travel that bit farther to Putaruru. Here, there is a spectacle waiting; something of the Blue Springs. It seems that these springs feature water that’s so, so clear, it is that one can virtually see straight through it. So, the color does range from a light, light turquoise to just a super-deep blue, depending actually on the light and depth. Actually, it happens that the Te Waihou Walkway tracks alongside the springs. Now, the paths just might be pretty flat and really rather easy to follow, that can mean they’re perfectly great for virtually any fitness level. You can imagine, naturally, the color of the water is due to its high purity, that stems because the water is filtered naturally via underground rocks, taking as much as 100 years! Very often, that experience is super-serene and tranquil, basically being accompanied mostly just by the sounds of birdsong and that gentle burbling of the springs. It is also somewhere to spot the plantlife unique to this corner of this world.
Planning Your Trip: A Few Things to Note
If thinking about hitting up all three spots on a trip departing out of Auckland, then it’s perhaps wise to organize yourself, bearing in mind driving times, to be sure. Clearly, Auckland to Rotorua will require around three hours, but do allow additional traveling for moving onto the Blue Springs that’s quite like a whole other hour further south. Because one is so very often pushed for time, consider starting very, very early and it is possible to make the very most of what daylight you might get. Very frequently, organized tours out of Auckland cover these specific destinations, therefore removing most of that driving pressure (that itself may well enable actually soaking in what this lovely countryside brings). Now, if just trying to do that solo, then think hard about what’s the best approach here that does depend on your priorities; a road trip done over two days will prove more calming than all attempted inside just one. Arguably, each place asks for just a certain amount of physical stamina, that makes it prudent to be equipped with layers, and sturdy footwear also.
A Quick Rundown
- Te Puia: Watch that might geyser. It could explode. Get to know the local culture. It is real
- Redwood Forest: Try looking up. It really might leave one with a tingle. Try the walkways strung out in between those redwood trunks for grand looks.
- Blue Springs: Clear blue water soothes a very weary eye, in fact. That footpath isn’t testing either, which means it suits one whether or not it’s an energetic hike or quite relaxing, to be truthful.