Amethyst Hot Springs

Good spot. Leave your togs in the car (no one else about) but bring your sandfly repellent. It’s like a treasure hunt to find but there are clues and markings. Scenic, secluded, hot.

Excellent stop on the road, nice and secluded. Follow the 4WD track to the stream. Cross the stream and follow the rock piles down the left bank, climbing over rocks. The rock piles lead to a small track marked by pink ribbon and this leads down to the pools. Some pools are very hot and be sure to mix the water before entering

Skitz mission to bottom pool, fun but not worth it. Climb down a loose cliff from the bush past the loo and head downstream to tepid still water against the cliff. High risk, low reward, high sandflies. Didnt bother with top pool

A fun 30-45 min return detour where small rocks with black felt pen instructions give you directions to the springs. Springs are indeed warm and in some places hot. Beware the sandflies though!

These pools disappear often as the river floods, don’t be surprised if no pools are there, several times I have had to dig my own with a shovel, this isn’t really a tourist spot, hardly even a track if the river is on that side.The sandflys are ferocious!If conditions are right it’s a nice enough place.Continue on the gravel road to the end, about 2km, nice walk…

Following the trail there was fine but do know you've gotta cross a creek. I ended up just barefooting it and wishing I'd brought my flip flops as the walk as a whole would have been fine for them. The first rock (just passed the large wood beams to the left) lists 2 paths and I tried the first one to the right for a bit but the crossing further down seemed more difficult and I backtracked.Back at the roady bit I crossed the stream and then a quick walk up the hill there was a path marked to the right (there were blue cones/cups in the trees at the time). This then followed a short romp through the bush, up some bits that took both hands as well as the same as the way down towards the river. Prior to the river there was a bucket of shovels with some instructions, the will aid in re shaping the pools.Once down at the pools no one was there and they were HOT! Too hot for me to go in actually. At that time I was debating going back to get the shovels to divert some cool water and mix one up but I was also out right during sunset and once I stood still for 20 seconds I was scared my HUNDREDS of flies. Unsure if it was time of year (start of april), time of day (6:30-7:00 pm), or just the area but I didn't have the time to stay until much later and hope they weren't there in the dark. If I have time in the next days of my trip I will try again as I will know where to go.I hope this story and photos assist in your journey. Definitely off the beaten trail and non touristy and commercialized as you've gotta work for your prize. Best of luck!

This was really cool.Fun little trail like a treasure hunt. Notes on the rocks easy enough to follow. We took the ' bush track' option to the top pool.Pools were mixed temperatures and were all quite shallow, perhaps as the river was low?It's a stunning setting.However we couldn't stay for a long as there were swarms of sand flies and I have been terribly bitten. We went towards dusk - perhaps would have been less bitey in the day.It was a great fun journey and was beautiful. A shame we were unable to enjoy the springs due to flies.I wouldn't go again but I'm glad I went.

Easy walk and instructions on rocks. Pools supposed to be pretty and warm， but havent been able to get there. Tip: Dont attempt the day after heavy rain haha, rapid river which is unable to be crossed.

Well worth the approx 3km return trip!Easy to find - follow the Whanganui Valley Track until you reach a small river, cross the river and hug the left hand side (small pile of rocks lead the way) and you will see some hand written notes to point you in the right direction.Pools can be very hot in certain areas so be careful to check the temp first.

Perfect secluded place, just follow arrows and signs made by marker and you get there. :-)