Water from the Blue Spring flows at a rate of 42 cubic metres per minute and could fill a 6 lane (25 metre) swimming pool in around 12 minutes. West Coast and further south you can experience the feel swim with the dolphins and penguins and seals are around most coasts of NZ. Along the way look out for large trout feeding in the pools and listen for the threatened yellowhead/mohua, which can often be heard in the canopy. Out of respect to the Ngati Apa people — and to preserve the purity of the water in this sacred place — please do not swim in Blue Lake, nor wash dishes, clothes, or yourself. An easy walk that starts at the car park on State Highway 6 near Makarora just north of Muddy Creek and leads through silver beech/tahina to a swing-bridge overlooking the pools at the mouth of Blue River. Blue Lake (Rotomairewhenua in Māori) is a small fresh water lake in Nelson Lakes National Park, in the northern reaches of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Getting there: the pools are a mere 10-minute drive from Taupo's city centre, just off Spa Road. Most thoughts of the abundant region will dart from the golden beaches of Whakatane, to the majestic seaside icon that is Mt Maunganui. Follow the boardwalk to a viewing platform over the Blue Pools then cross the Blue Pools bridge for great views up the river gorge. Follow the boardwalk to a viewing platform over the Blue Pools then cross the Blue Pools bridge for great views up the river gorge. Why I mention the abundent sealife including whale watch is the Antactartic streams brings all the krill up around the coast of NZ. Generation Homes Legend of the Lake – 20 March 2021. The pools’ surroundings have also been built up a little recently. © 2020 Lonely Planet. They’re a dream for most travellers, a luxury that many countries envy and others often charge to access. Where to cool off with an unforgettable wild swim, Make a splash: the best places for outdoor city swimming, Best tips for free camping in New Zealand, Nature, surf & culture: 7 things to do in New Zealand’s Northland, 6 of the best destinations for yoga travel, 10 wellness retreats to recharge post-pandemic, Mexico has 11 beautiful new “magical towns" to explore, Gripped by The Undoing? Tikitapu, the Blue Lake, is the closest to Rotorua and its clear, clean crystal blue water is popular with boaties, swimmers and water skiers. Keep your eye out for the turnoff at Old Waiotapu Road. People have been swimmimng there for years. New Zealand rthefish. Read our insider tips to get the most out of visiting Rotorua. Sit back and relax, with the view of a petite 2m waterfall and a backdrop of the North Island bush. 1000m – 1600m swims Getting there: flying into Queenstown is an experience not to be missed, with one of the world’s most extravagant landings through a grand valley. Wander through beautiful native forests and over a swing bridge to experience the pristine waters of Makarora River's Blue Pools. Now you can rent the beach house. Rotorua holds some of New Zealand's most renowned, including this sensational spot. If you have ever considered entering a longer open water swim, the Banana Boat New Zealand Ocean Swim Series provides an ideal and safe opportunity to do this. There are shorted circuits, but if you have the time it's well worth the extra time, although it can be a bit muddy after heavy rain or snow. Contact the Awarua/Haast or Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park visitor centres for visitor information, including trip planning, and track and weather updates for this region. Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy explain how we use your data and who our partners are. The water temperature is a constant 11 degrees celsius throughout the year. The nearest toilet facilities are at the Blue Pools car park. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter. Auckland Region, New Zealand 7 contributions Good walk Nice walk even in the rain into the blue pools - unfortunately due to the weather they weren't blue :-) Good well … See our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to understand how you can manage cookies. Getting there: Lake Tarawera is located 18 kilometers (18 Miles) to the east of Rotorua (North Island) and five kilometers (5 miles) from Mt Tarawera. Peter Jackson himself chose this bridge as a filming location for parts of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Keep browsing if you're happy with this. Pori Pori is a waterhole surrounded by tall rock formations and a lush forest bursting with ferns. Swimming in Lake Ohau, New Zealand - Duration: 3:21. Cross the elevated section of the Wairoa River and trace other people’s footsteps through the blackberry shrubs and native grass known as toi toi. Before setting out, you can lounge on this sandy strip or slip into the lake for a swim. The blue waters and native forest of Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) makes the Generation Homes Legend of the Lake a very special experience for swimmers and spectators at our only fresh water event in the Series. If you can’t "handle the jandal" as the Kiwis would say, quench off back into the cooler river waters. Blue Lake is roughly boomerang shaped, running north then northwest, with each arm of the lake stretching some 200 metres (700 ft). Maximise your day and circumnavigate the Lake in our long swim or perhaps take on a swim plus the Amphibian to really … This iconic locale is found near the start of the mighty Waikato River – the longest river in New Zealand. This spot is also a little famous, holding some Middle Earth magic. To launch into the circuit around Blue Lake, take the path east along the beach. At 220m deep, it’s Iceland’s deepest, but it’s not a lake you’d want to swim in. Otherwise, do what many of the locals do and ‘pop a manu’ – slang for a water bomb. You might also like: Nature, surf & culture: 7 things to do in New Zealand’s Northland. How Did They Do That? You might also like: Best tips for free camping in New Zealand. Age eligibility is from 12 years old and over. Its beautiful sandy beaches and deep blue waters can make you feel like you are on a pacific island, not deep in the south of New Zealand. In addition to above, we use other cookies and analytics to provide a better site experience. Stroll through beech/tawhero forest to a swing bridge that crosses the Makarora River. Frasers Beach right next to the village is a lovely family beach. Consisting of five different swim events, the Legend of the Lake provides a swim event for all ages and abilities: ‘I’m Going Long’ - a 3.5km swim around the perimeter of the lake. Pori Pori, Lower Kaimai. You might also like: Where to cool off with an unforgettable wild swim. Keep valuables well hidden or take them with you. There is a new bridge, walkway, and even changing rooms. It is fed by a short upper segment of the Sabine, which in turn is fed by underground seepage through the landslide debris impounding the much larger Lake Constance. Contemplating the Askja Crater and Lake, too cold to swim in apparently. The official website for Rotorua, New Zealand. Details and how to opt-out, please see our Cookie Policy to understand how can... S Northland the river breaks out into a deep pool you can plunge into no longer available a:. Pools bridge for great views up the journey springs burst out of rotorua! With it 's Blue Pools then cross the Blue Lake top 10 wild swimming rotorua holds some New... The Pools that can be enjoyed as well take the path east along the track. Nearest toilet facilities are at the base of the Hobbit: the of... Without exception the premier swimming venue of any triathlon in Australasia clearest waters found …! 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