It was a beautiful fine day and one not to be spent inside. So off i drove to see what natural wonders I could discover down Papamoa Beach way. Not having really had the chance to wander along the beach I decided to park up at the Harrisons Cut carpark and stroll with just myself, tripod and camera.
Harrisons Cut itself is a freedom camping location for self-contained motorhomes overlooking Papamoa Beach. However since its only a small parking area and no more than two vans at a time can park overnight, you are limited to a maximum of two nights per calendar month.
The first thing I noticed was a beach libary cupboard where you can use whats inside and return it when finished. First time I had seen this. People had donated boggie boards, bucket and spades, sand castle moulds and more.
With it being reasonably early in the morning the next thing I noticed were the flock of birds resting, bathing and drinking from the cut itself. I sat and past the time observing them for a while. Then it was on down the beach a bit taking in the growing foilage which has been a big part of retaining the sandunes. It was while capturing some macro shots that a gentleman asked if I was working for the press. "No not guilty" I said. We got talking and he told me how he used to fish commercially in his younger days. Now days he walks along the beach and can notice the small broken down pieces of plastic bags that get washed ashore. He spends his walks doing his part and collects them to dispose of them away from nature.
After lunch it was time to achieve another walk on my list. To do this it entailed a drive from Papamoa over the Kaimais into the South Waikato to the Blue Springs.
The Blue Springs are located on Whites Road, near Putararu. Its a 3 hour return walk or 4.7kms. Not a bad one which trails along the edge of the Waihou River. The history of this river is said to have a farm on the sides wehre the then farmers used a waterwheel to assist with work on the farm. The water coming downstream from the Blue Springs flows at a rate of 42 cubic metres per minue and could fill a 6 lane (25 Metre) swimming pool in just 12 minutes. the water itself has a constant temperature of 11 degreees celsius throughout the year.
This spring is internationally acclaimed with water so pure it supplies 60% of New Zealand's bottled water. The spring is fed from the Mamaku Plateau where the water takes up ot 100 years to filter through; the resultiing water is so pure and clean that it produces a beautiful blue colour while being virtually clear.
If you are planning on visiting our country soon, put this on your own must do walks.
