Take the time to enjoy the short walk through the forest as you make your way to the Hamurana Springs. Flowing gently beside you for part of the walk are the amazingly clear waters of the Hamurana Stream. Stand quietly for a chance to see fish darting among the waving, emerald-green water plants. Ducks and swans drift by with the current or happily rest and search for food on the shore.

You can’t help but notice the large trunks of the giant redwoods. Planted in 1919 and now reaching up to 180 feet (55 meters) in height, these imported sequoia trees are still growing fast, reaching skyward like there was no tomorrow.

Follow the path as it heads back into native New Zealand tree cover and you’ll soon see the spring. Wooden viewing platforms at different heights offer great vantage points, allowing you to peer down into the 50-foot (15-meter) chasm from which the spring emerges. The water is believed to take 70 years in its journey underground before emerging right here, below your feet.

Watch the flow of the water as it emerges from the spring. It is estimated that over a million gallons (4 million liters) of water flows from the spring every hour at a constant 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). The water flows along the short length of the stream before reaching nearby Lake Rotorua.

Continue farther along the path to the little pools of “dancing sands.” Watch from the bridge how water bubbling up from beneath the sand causes grains of sand to jump and bounce in the flow. Lots of little spouts help to create a mesmerizing display.

Cross the stream to follow the looped path back to the parking lot. A larger basin in the stream is popular with the resident wildlife, including black swans.

Hamurana Springs is located about 10 miles (17 kilometers) out of Rotorua, on the opposite side of Lake Rotorua. Entry fees apply, with family and children discounts available. The springs are best reached by car and free parking is available.