Te Waikoropupū Springs are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the Southern Hemisphere and contain some of the clearest water ever measured. This is very close to optically pure water, with clearer water found only beneath Antarctica’s near-frozen Weddell Sea. The water clarity is a result of natural filtering prior to the water’s emergence at Te Waikoropupu Springs.

Most of Waikoropupu Springs Scenic Reserve is covered in manuka and kanuka; indigenous plant ‘pioneers’ that re-colonise cleared forest areas and eventually make way for other species. This vegetation type reflects a history of disturbance by fire, gold mining, farming and road building. The reserve now has areas of regenerating beech-podocarp forest and a small remnant of tall podocarp forest to the south of Te Waikoropupu Springs. Besides tawhai (black beech), this area features rimu, kahikatea, totara, matai and miro. Te Waikoropupu Springs is also a habitat for submerged mosses and liverworts, including at least one moss that is found nowhere else.

Wharariki Beach

Wharariki Beach, just a few kilometres from Farewell Spit and the northern-most tip of the South Island, used to be something of a well-kept secret.

There is a bit of a walk to get to the beach, but well worth it for the beautiful scenery. Wharariki’s swathe of white sand swept into prodigious dunes by the wind would be spectacular enough on their own. But Wharariki is book-ended by sheer cliffs and off the beach are monumental wave-buffeted islands. Over the millennia the cliffs and islands have been eaten away by the sea, creating arches, stacks and caves.

The Bainham General Store

The Langford Store is nestled in the heart of the Aorere valley, 15 minutes inland from Collingwood on the way to the Heaphy track. The store has been in the same family four generations, since it opened in 1928.

This general store and post office has been providing essentials to the Bainham community and travellers since 1928.

Enjoy a pot of tea or an espresso coffee, served with sublime sweet treats. Soak up the sunshine and the tranquility of the surrounding scenery,  whilst you write a postcard home or just rest a moment with friends.