You’ll find Hamurana Springs 15km northeast of Rotorua, on Hamurana Road. There’s a carpark next to the golf course; you can’t miss it.
Entry is $18 for adults while kids are $8 and under 5s are free. A family pass for two adults and up to three kids is $49. Guided tours are an extra 10 bucks per adult. It’s a bit pricey to look at a river, but it is beautiful. Hamurana Springs is the largest freshwater spring on the North Island, and it’s also the prettiest.
My family had a great time there; they liked it so much we went back a second time (It used to be free). The kids loved the dancing sands where water bubbles up pushing sand up and making it dance. It’s not a bad spot for couples either, especially if you’re there midweek.
The Hamurana Springs are under the management of the local Iwi Ngāti Rangiwewehi. They guide the tours and can tell you a lot about the history of the area if you’re interested.
It’s also a wildlife sanctuary with plenty of bids, if you’re lucky you’ll see a dabchick.
What to expect : A really pretty and surprisingly large spring. Really blue water, large trout, and a pleasant walk. The water is astonishingly clear. Seeing one this clean makes you aware of how polluted many of New Zealand rivers actually are. The entire track is less than 1km so it is a pleasant stroll, not an arduous hike.
Is it worth $49 for a family? Let us know in the comments.