Te Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs: Things to Do

View the gigantic upwelling crystal water of Te Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs. The impressive volume of water, water grass, eels and fish add to the experience. The surrounding regenerating forest encourages visitors to ponder our natural spaces.

Pupu Spring is a conservation in action destination. The springs feature as one of the NZ wetlands South Island best places to visit, things to do on your New Zealand holiday. 

• Excellent wide, easy to navigate boardwalk with information plaques explaining Te Waikoropupu Springs origins
• Photographs and descriptions of how Pupu Springs was degraded in the last hundred years and current conservation efforts to restore the springs 
• Significance of Te Waikoropupu Springs for the Maori iwi (tribe)
• Family friendly walk (no dogs)

Pupu Springs crystal clear water

Pupu Springs are the clearest spring water in the world. The welling waters cover an extensive area due to the water flow discharging 14,000 litres of water per second. 

 

The walk to the springs passes the remains of water races for sluicing alluvial gold, attempts at farming and forest clearances.

The land is now regenerating with manuka and kanuka – indigenous plant ‘pioneers’ that re-colonise cleared forest areas and eventually make way for other species. 

 

Native totora and rimu trees survivors are markers of what the surrounding forest looked like originally.

 

Length: 800m

Duration: 30 minutes (return)

Grade: Easy

Te Waikoropupu Springs track

Pupu Hydro Walkway

TIP

Pupu Hydro Boardwalk is located nearby and well worth a visit.  Pupu Hydro Walkway begins 9 km from Takaka at the end of Pupu Valley Road. Follow the road towards Te Waikoropupu Springs, turning off to the right just before the bridge crossing Waikoropupu River.

Pupu Springs is a feature in the best 10 family friendly walks in the South Island.