Much of New Zealand's bottled water comes from the Blue Springs in Putāruru. You can stroll to the springs along the riverside Te Waihou Walkway.
Mid-way between Tokoroa and Tirau, the rural town of Putāruru is close to Lake Arapuni on the Waikato River. The area has a history of farming and timber growing.
From a recreational point of view, it’s a fisherman’s paradise. Within a 20 kilometre radius of the town, there are 20 rivers stocked with rainbow and brown trout.
If you have time, wander along the Te Waihou Walkway to find the Blue Springs. The water here is so pure it creates a beautiful blue hue, whilst remaining almost clear.
Putāruru has a timber museum and a decorative waterpark, which is adorned with mosaics and native plants. It is also home to the New Zealand Cheese School and Over the Moon Cheese factory.
Nearby Arapuni offers the perfect place to get on an off the Waikato River Trails, not to mention the impressive Arapuni Swing bridge. The trail stretches 103km from Lake Karapiro in the north to Lake Whakamaru in the south, and can be ridden as one trail, or broken into smaller trails, each of varying grades.
