Te Waikoropupu Springs

Better known as Pupu Springs, these are the largest freshwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere and also the clearest.

The springs pump out about 14,000 litres of water a second and are a constant cold temperature of 11.7C. The walking tracks through the reserve are lined with captivating native bush with little streams trickling throughout. There is a glassed viewing platform where you can view the underwater plant life and the walkways have interpretive panels.

The area is a Maori taonga (treasure) and a waahi tapu (sacred place), and should be treated with great respect. The road up the Pupu Valley forks about a kilometre in from the highway and a signpost directs you to the Pupu Hydro Walkway to the right.

Known as one of the best short walks in Golden Bay, the track follows the water race, which is formed by an earth and stonewall canal in some parts and wooden or concrete aqueducts in others.