Te Waikoropupū Springs Walk: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

View New Zealand's largest freshwater springs and the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere, with some of the clearest water ever measured.

This DOC directory entry covers Te Waikoropupū Springs Walk in Tasman, within Tākaka area / Te Waikoropupū Springs. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 1 km loop
• Walking time: 45 min loop
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

There are unfenced boardwalks and viewing platforms over the springs. Supervise children carefully.

This is a short fully accessible loop track suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. It goes through forest and streams to a platform that sits partly over the water of Te Waikoropupū Springs.

Discharging 14,000 litres of water per second, the springs are New Zealand's largest freshwater springs and the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere. They contain some of the clearest water ever measured.

Do not touch the water. This protects the pristine water quality and respects the deep cultural and spiritual importance of these springs.

There are some sections of the boardwalk and viewing platforms over the springs that are not fenced. Keep children closely supervised, as the water is swift and very cold.

Getting there

Te Waikoropupū Springs are about 7 km from Tākaka. Follow State Highway 60 north from Tākaka on the road to Collingwood, turning left just beyond Tākaka River. Follow Pupu Valley and Te Waikoropupū Springs roads to the car park.

Know before you go

Do not touch the water

The waters of Te Waikoropupū Springs, including Fish Creek and Springs River are closed to all forms of contact.

No fishing, swimming, diving, wading, boating, filling of drinking water containers, or any other activity where parts of the body or equipment contact the water.

This protects the pristine water quality, which is some of the clearest water ever measured. It also respects the deep cultural and spiritual significance of these springs.

Be careful of swift waterways

The cold, swift waterways of the springs reserve are dangerous – keep children under close supervision near the water. There are unfenced boardwalks and viewing platforms.

No dogs allowed

Nature and conservation

Interpretation panels at the Whare Matauranga Marae at the entrance to the walk tell the story of the cultural and conservation values of the Springs.

History and culture

To Māori the area of Te Waikoropupū is a taonga or treasure and a wāhi tapu, a place held in high cultural and spiritual regard, both locally and nationally.

The legends of Te Waikoropupū are told in the stories of Huriawa, its taniwha (guardian spirit).

In Māori tradition the springs are waiora, the purest form of water and provide water for healing. In the past, the springs were a place of ceremonial blessings at times of birth and death and the leaving and returning of travellers.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.