Amethyst Hot Springs - Amethyst Hot Springs

Bring sand flies represent and a digging tool

No existent anymore

Beautiful spot - went in the rain - was surreal - absolutely must bring insect repellent though - got eaten alive

Definitely one of New Zealand’s south islands most hidden gem! First and foremost you no longer can’t drive there the drive path washed out: the plus side is it is only a 10-15 minute walk from where you can park. There’s like a little building and some gas pump thing ?? Anyway once you start walking there will be an orange cone blocking the fallen down road before that the wired fence is knocked down can’t miss it (well we did cause we’re dumb)— walk over it and follow the foot trail in the grass. Basically you should be walking up and elevated along the river do not enter into the trees yet like we did. As you keep following the grass path along the wire fence it will lead you BACK to the other side of the crumbled road which you will walk. There will be a fork in the road you’ll have the ability to veer left (like straight) or a**backward sharp right... do not go right I know there are little orange markers on the trees but it will spit you back into the woods and where you started. As you beer left heading straight where some poison sign is you’ll get to a bridge. It’s obvious can’t miss it either. It will state on a green sign is not safe for driving and foot traffic. Well... obviously you’re Gnna have to walk it...shortly after getting off the bridge the foot trail starts back up - it’s a really skinny and narrow path. Should only be a 1-2 minute walk down from there. One you get out of that path there you’ve pretty much made it you’ll see a stream of water on your right just be cautious some spots are cold, cool, water and then pretty hot. Also not sure why they named it AMETHYST hot spring. It’s not purple there are no amethyst stones let alone purple ones just dumb usually the name of something reflects a little. It’s basically a cold river with sections of hot deposits. Bugs will eat you alive there. Either have bug spray or one of those candles to ward them off. Guy who wrote a review about a shovel wasn’t kidding! We went yesterday and it was raining out of no where a waterfall basically turned on just couple minutes after being in the hot spring which fed cold water into our little pool. Thankfully a little stone wall was already made (that’s going to be the hottest one) however we had to add a lot more stones and sand to it in order to keep the cold run off water out. Whoever goes here next should BE AWARE THE WATER MAY BE VERY HOT due to it raining yesterday and being cold we needed it hot so we dug down and deeper releasing more heat. With that being said IT IS SUPER HOT ON YOUR FINGER TIPS, be careful digging your body parts into the sand. There will be moments of hot gas bubbles every now and again and you most likely will get get hit by them even with out doing anything but they’re not that bad it’s just shocking and you move. Also take note if it is raining that the path back to your car will be hard to get three from all the water as it rises and rushes down. Crossing it thankfully wasn’t that bad but boy it was freezing and fast. I think we just lucked out. This place is sort of romantic I feel like it’s good for a couple or a tiny group of friends.

what a cosy afternoon! but took us two hours to find it…don't go too far, 15 mins walk alongside the cliff.

Went Jan 2021, hot water moves over time so have updated to current location: 43°09'58.0"S 170°37'44.6"E Would recommend to pin the location on your phone, get to the river bed north of this location and walk south along the river bank. There are different sources of hot water and the best one would be almost too hot to stand on. There is a shovel and metal pry bar above the ground if you can find it.

Couldn't find access and looks like the bank has been washed away. Someone has left rock directions but couldn't figure it out. Hope to return.

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.