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Time: 40 min return, $18 cost to walk the track
NOTE
Please disregard previous review scores as most were made prior to the $18 charge for adults to access this freshwater spring.
It's a fantastic walk, but we at Rankers don't believe that charging $18 is a good decision by the local landowners. Perhaps a smaller charge like $5 would be more suitable - Maybe they prefer it all to themselves? If so, then fair enough.
Hamurana is famous for its beautiful crystal clear fresh water springs, that emanate from the ground and flows downstream into Lake Rotorua. The surrounding wildlife sanctuary plays host to many species of birds including black teal, scaup, herons and the endangered dabchick.
This is a nice, family orientated area with calming picnic spots in a picturesque setting. This track is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It offers easy walking with beautiful scenic views throughout the whole stream-side walk, which passes through a grove of redwoods. A bridge near the end of the track can be crossed to link up with a unsealed road on the other side of the river to create a loop track.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Bay of PlentyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Hamurana |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in. $18 |
Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. There may be steps or slopes. Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness. Stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Spring is the largest in the North Island.
Great!
We were greeted by a hoard of avian friends!
An unexpected surprise.
Beautiful walk!
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 16 |
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62% |
9/10 | 4 |
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15% |
8/10 | 3 |
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12% |
7/10 | 1 |
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4% |
6/10 | 1 |
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4% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 1 |
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4% |
3.0/5
This place was free to walk and view a few years ago.
A beautiful unspoilt area for everyone to enjoy a day out. Then along came Maorification. As per usual, money, money, money. Hands out for the money. Funny though, it did not last. Where was the money going. That is the question. Only left as evidence is an untidy stall weathered well in the rain, and nobody any longer there to collect the outrageous Entry Fee. This is not the only tourist attraction in New Zealand that has fell flat on its face through bad management (enough said).
Reviewed 5 months ago
0.5/5
What a shame they have decided to charge each adult $18 to walk the track, in my opinion this is absolute greed hence the "1" rating.
A gold coin charge would be more appropreate.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.0/5
Beautiful short track with a wide variety of vegetation and water animals such as black swans.
One minor set back the track is no longer free of charge. Adults have to pay $18 NZ to access the track.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful walk through redwoods following a bright blue natural spring.
One of our favourite walks in NZ. Watching the water get pushed up from a deep blue hole is amazing.
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in March 2017
5.0/5
Our favourite spring.
Beautiful walkway around the springs and rivers. We even saw herrings in the clear stream.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
5.0/5
One of the most beautiful experiences walking this track, many birds, redwoods, dancing sands.
Amazing!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
5.0/5
Enjoyed very much!
Very green, the redwoods and the dancing sands - very amazing and impressive.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
5.0/5
Neat little walk out to the springs where you see the 15km deep hole in the water, really cool.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
BEAUTIFUL!
Very quiet as I guess it is out of season, but so magical and the natural springs were incredible!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Flat walk, nice clean water, nice view of springs pushing water up from 15m below the surface.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
a stunning springs with dancing sands...will come again
Reviewed about 8 years ago
3.0/5
This place was free to walk and view a few years ago.
A beautiful unspoilt area for everyone to enjoy a day out. Then along came Maorification. As per usual, money, money, money. Hands out for the money. Funny though, it did not last. Where was the money going. That is the question. Only left as evidence is an untidy stall weathered well in the rain, and nobody any longer there to collect the outrageous Entry Fee. This is not the only tourist attraction in New Zealand that has fell flat on its face through bad management (enough said).
Reviewed 5 months ago
0.5/5
What a shame they have decided to charge each adult $18 to walk the track, in my opinion this is absolute greed hence the "1" rating.
A gold coin charge would be more appropreate.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful walk through redwoods following a bright blue natural spring.
One of our favourite walks in NZ. Watching the water get pushed up from a deep blue hole is amazing.
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in March 2017
4.0/5
Beautiful short track with a wide variety of vegetation and water animals such as black swans.
One minor set back the track is no longer free of charge. Adults have to pay $18 NZ to access the track.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Our favourite spring.
Beautiful walkway around the springs and rivers. We even saw herrings in the clear stream.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
5.0/5
One of the most beautiful experiences walking this track, many birds, redwoods, dancing sands.
Amazing!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
5.0/5
Enjoyed very much!
Very green, the redwoods and the dancing sands - very amazing and impressive.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
5.0/5
Flat walk, nice clean water, nice view of springs pushing water up from 15m below the surface.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
Neat little walk out to the springs where you see the 15km deep hole in the water, really cool.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
BEAUTIFUL!
Very quiet as I guess it is out of season, but so magical and the natural springs were incredible!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
a stunning springs with dancing sands...will come again
Reviewed about 8 years ago
4.0/5
At the top of Rotorua there is a river called the Hamurana.
You can jump from the bridge into the clear water.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Amazing clear water, coming up from a deep hole with strong pressure.
From the depths of the earth, it comes up providing clean water for life.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Awesome walk through huge Redwoods and beautiful forests to find fresh water springs.
We like watching the trout swim against the current through the crystal clear water.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in December 2015
5.0/5
We were greeted by a hoard of avian friends!
Ducks, roosters, finches ... I love birds so we played with them for a while before actually walking the track. The spring is absolutely stunning. The water was so clear and the redwoods were towering above us as we started our track. Would definitely recommend this short track.
Reviewed about 9 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful walk!
Redwoods, crystal clear water and the largest spring on the North Island! 4,500,000 litres (1,000,000 gallons) water per hour!
Reviewed over 9 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful piece of Redwoods, short walk and beautiful springs.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
5.0/5
Must see - short and sweet.
Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013
5.0/5
Spring is the largest in the North Island.
Amble through Redwoods and along the streamfor fifteen minutes.
Reviewed over 11 years ago
4.5/5
A short easy walk with a lot of variety, the colour of the water is mind blowing, keep your eyes peeled for trout
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in January 2013
4.5/5
Walk to Springs (2nd visit) lovely again - no toilets this time (some at camp across and down road).
Great stroll, lots of birds, Redwoods water is beautiful.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
3.5/5
Considering was free was really good but too much hype surrounding the springs.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
5.0/5
Lovely!
Spring - 1 millions gallons per hour!! Worth the walk through trees. Only a 15 minute walk but well worth it.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
4.5/5
A magical place with clear water springs, dancing sands and stands of huge redwoods.
A must if driving round the west side of Lake Rotorua.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
4.5/5
An unexpected surprise.
This easy 45 minute return, loop walk follows the stunning (crystal clear) Hamurana springs back to its source as it comes out of the ground. DOC has built structures so you can peer down the spring and view trout swimming in its reaches. Makes for a great wishing well too. Lots of trout spotting on the way home. We left satisfied that we had found a little known gem.
Reviewed almost 15 years ago