We stupidly thought you could swim at the Hamurana Springs (we thought that it was a hot spring as we’d heard so much about hot springs in Rotarua). Halfway around the nature walk, we realised there was a reason no one else was carrying towels!
I would give it 5/5 for natural beauty (including massive redwood trees and clear water) but probably 1.5/5 for value for money. It’s $18 per adult so was an expensive short walk. I love nature but next time would just do a free walk in the Redwood Forest in Rotarua.

I Found this place accidentally when looking up free places to go in NZ. I Arrived only to see a fee was applicable, so it was a let down as from the main gate it did not look money worthy.... BUT, then the lady at the gate explained what the walk entails and I'm so glad I paid as this is one of the most beautiful places we saw in the North Island.
I think it was 50 for 2 adults and 2 kids.
The spring water is amazingly blue, the redwoods are magnificent (bigger than the ones we saw at the tree top walk), the spring it's self was awesome and if you bring a bottle you can collect your own spring water further up the trail, swans and ducks were all around.
The fact it I think it is underadvertised meant we got fantastic photos without any other tourists in the background.
I was looking for nature experiences in NZ and this did not let me down, I just have no idea why i never saw it in any travel guides.

I visited Hamurana Springs after a storm in mid January 2018. It was truly magical, with sunlight and dark storm clouds. The water is crystal clear and the plant life growing in the river is beautiful. I know a lot of reviews criticise the fact that you now have to pay to get into the park but the owners do maintain the area and build new paths etc. Immediately after the storm there was much debris all over the paths, so I can see that this work is necessary.

I met Kani who worked there and found her to be incredibly helpful and friendly. She went out of her way to make sure I got the most out of my visit and I can't thank her enough....

I would highly recommend the area for families as it involves gentle walking, a beautiful forest and many native birds. The "dancing sands" pool was lots of fun to watch.

Overall, this was one of my highlights on the North Island.