National guide
Waterfalls in New Zealand: One Near Each of Our 20 Cities
From Whangārei Falls in the north to Purakaunui in the Catlins, here’s one waterfall near every Explore city, picked from each city’s own local guide. Every entry has the height, the walk and what to know, with a link to the full guide for directions, track notes and swimming.
At a glance
| City | Waterfall | Height | Walk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whangārei | Whangārei Falls | 26 m | 30 min loop |
| Auckland | Kitekite Falls | 40 m | 30 to 45 min each way |
| Pukekohe | Hūnua Falls | 30 m | 15 min loop |
| Hamilton | Bridal Veil Falls | 55 m | 10 min to the top |
| Tauranga | Owharoa Falls | – | 5 min each way |
| Rotorua | Okere Falls | – | 30 min each way |
| Taupō | Huka Falls | 7 to 9.5 m drops | 10 min each way |
| Gisborne | Rere Falls and Rockslide | – | Short walk from parking |
| Napier | Centennial Gardens Waterfall | 40 m | In town |
| Hastings | Maraetotara Falls | 15 m | 10 min walk |
| New Plymouth | Dawson Falls | 18 m | Short walk |
| Whanganui | Waitonga Falls | 39 m | 1 hr 20 min return |
| Palmerston North | Waihi Falls | 25 m | 10 to 15 min each way |
| Wellington | Korokoro Dam waterfall | 8 m | 1 hr loop (2.7 km) |
| Nelson | Wainui Falls | 20 m | 1 hr return (3.4 km) |
| Blenheim | Pine Valley Waterfall | 10 m | 10 min loop |
| Christchurch | Hinewai Reserve | 50+ falls | 10 min to 2 hours |
| Timaru | Emily Falls | – | 45 min each way |
| Dunedin | Nicols Falls | – | 20 min to the falls |
| Invercargill | Purakaunui Falls | 20 m | 20 min return |
North Island
Tikipunga, about 6 km from the city centre
Whangārei Falls (Otuihau)
- Height 26 m
- 30 min loop
- Free
The Hātea River spills in a wide curve over basalt cliffs into a pool below, only a few minutes' drive from town. A 1 km loop links several viewing platforms on mostly sealed paths, with some steps near the water.
Full guide on Explore WhangāreiMore waterfalls near Whangārei
Piha, Waitākere Ranges, about 45 min from the city
Kitekite Falls
- Height 40 m
- 30 to 45 min each way
- Free
A three-tiered fall on the Glen Esk Stream, reached on a well-made path of gravel, boardwalks and bridges through regenerating bush. The pool at the base is good for a swim when conditions allow; scrub your shoes at the hygiene station first to help protect the kauri.
Hūnua Ranges Regional Park, about 35 min from Pukekohe
Hūnua Falls
- Height 30 m
- 15 min loop
- Free
The Wairoa River falls in a single horsetail through native forest. The easy 0.8 km loop suits most ages, and picnic tables near the base make it an easy half-day out.
Near Raglan, about 45 min from Hamilton
Bridal Veil Falls (Wairēinga)
- Height 55 m
- 10 min to the top
- 261 steps to the base
The Pakoka River plunges 55 metres into a pool, framed by bush. Gentle paths reach the upper lookouts quickly; the way down to the base is a long run of steps with handrails and bridges.
Karangahake Gorge, about 46 km from Tauranga
Owharoa Falls
- 5 min each way
- Dogs under control
A very short walk from Waitawheta Road, so it's an easy add-on to a day in the gorge. Take care if you swim: the pool has deep holes and strong currents. Check NZTA for State Highway 2 closures while rock work is under way.
Kaituna River, 21 km from Rotorua on SH33
Okere Falls
- 30 min each way
- No dogs
Tutea Falls here is the tallest waterfall anywhere that rafting companies take paying customers over. The easy track follows the gorge past Hinemoa's Steps and Tutea Cave; the Tutea Falls platform is closed, but there are still views from the track down to Tutea Cave.
Five minutes' drive north of the town centre
Huka Falls
- 7 to 9.5 m drops
- 10 min each way
- Wheelchair accessible
The Waikato River squeezes into a 15-metre-wide gorge and drops in a series of steps. A footbridge crosses right above the gorge and the lookout paths are wheelchair friendly. The car park is locked overnight.
Wharekopae River, about 45 min from Gisborne
Rere Falls and Rockslide
- Short walk from parking
- Swimming hole
A broad waterfall with a swimming pool, and just up the road a 60-metre natural rock waterslide into a deep pool. The council tests the water weekly in summer, and it's best to keep out for two days after heavy rain.
Foot of Bluff Hill, north end of Marine Parade
Centennial Gardens Waterfall
- Height 40 m
- In town
- Lit at night
A man-made cascade down the face of an old quarry, with the water pumped back to the top. The gardens opened in 1974 for Napier's centenary, entry is free, and the falls are lit green after dark.
About 15 min from Havelock North
Maraetotara Falls
- Height 15 m
- 10 min walk
- Swimming hole
Wooden steps lead down through native bush to a waterfall and a big pool that's busy on hot days. It's part of a longer historic walk, and the water is tested weekly from November to April.
Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, about an hour from New Plymouth
Dawson Falls (Te Rere o Noke)
- Height 18 m
- Short walk
- Free
On the south-eastern side of the maunga, reached by the road above Kaponga. The falls themselves are a short walk; plenty of people turn it into a half-day by adding the Wilkies Pools track close by.
Full guide on Explore New PlymouthMore waterfalls near New Plymouth
Ohakune Mountain Road, Tongariro National Park
Waitonga Falls
- Height 39 m
- 1 hr 20 min return
- Free
The highest waterfall in Tongariro National Park. The 4 km track crosses an alpine wetland on boardwalks, with views of Ruapehu, before ending at a single 39-metre curtain of water.
Full guide on Explore WhanganuiMore waterfalls near Whanganui
45 km east of Dannevirke, 1.5 to 2 hours from the city
Waihi Falls
- Height 25 m
- 10 to 15 min each way
- Dogs on lead
A wide drop through bush, seen from a viewing area at the end of a short formed path. The last 2 km of road are gravel, and swimming or scrambling to the base isn't advised.
Full guide on Explore Palmerston NorthMore waterfalls near Palmerston North
Belmont Regional Park, above Petone
Korokoro Dam waterfall
- Height 8 m
- 1 hr loop (2.7 km)
- Dogs on lead
A bush loop follows the Korokoro Stream to an old dam where the water spills over in steps. Start from the Oakleigh Street entrance, which has parking and toilets.
Full guide on Explore WellingtonMore waterfalls near Wellington
South Island
Abel Tasman National Park, about 20 km from Tākaka
Wainui Falls
- Height 20 m
- 1 hr return (3.4 km)
- Free
Golden Bay's biggest waterfall, dropping over granite into a plunge pool at the end of an easy bush track. Allow about two hours' drive from Nelson.
Mount Richmond Forest Park, from the Mill Flat car park
Pine Valley Waterfall
- Height 10 m
- 10 min loop
- Free
A short, family-friendly walk to a cascade and pools at the start of the Pine Valley Track. Much longer tracks carry on from here for fit, prepared trampers.
East of Akaroa, Banks Peninsula
Hinewai Reserve
- 50+ falls
- 10 min to 2 hours
- No dogs
A 1,250-hectare private reserve that's free and open to everyone, with permanent streams running over more than 50 waterfalls. Short walks start from the Visitors Centre on Long Bay Road.
Full guide on Explore ChristchurchMore waterfalls near Christchurch
Peel Forest, about 50 min from Timaru
Emily Falls
- 45 min each way
- Stream crossings
The track winds through old podocarp forest and crosses the stream several times on the way. For something shorter, Acland Falls (14 m) is 30 minutes each way in the same forest.
Leith Valley, 10 to 15 min from the city centre
Nicols Falls
- 20 min to the falls
- Glowworms
A steady climb through native forest to the falls. After dark, glowworms show along the stream about 10 minutes from the road.
The Catlins, about 17 km from Owaka
Purakaunui Falls
- Height 20 m
- 20 min return
- Wheelchair access to top platform
A three-tiered fall over dark rock in beech forest, and one of the most photographed in the region; it was on a 1976 stamp. The flat path reaches an upper platform that suits wheelchairs.
Full guide on Explore InvercargillMore waterfalls near Invercargill
Before you go
- Check the track first. Tracks close after storms and slips. Two of Tauranga’s best-known falls, Wairere and Kaiate, were closed when we checked, which is why Owharoa is the Tauranga pick here. Each city guide links to the current DOC or council notice.
- Swimming. Keep out of rivers and pools for two days after heavy rain. For tested spots, look the site up on LAWA’s Can I swim here? before you go.
- Kauri. In Auckland and Northland, clean your shoes at the cleaning stations and stay on open tracks to help stop kauri dieback.
- All 20 are free to visit, though a few have car parks that close overnight.
Questions people ask
What is the highest waterfall in New Zealand?
It depends on what you count as a waterfall. Sutherland Falls near the Milford Track was long called the highest, at 580 metres in three steps. Some put Browne Falls in Doubtful Sound higher at 836 metres, but it slides down the mountainside rather than falling free, so many call it a cascade. Te Ara explains the debate.
What is the highest waterfall in the North Island?
Wairere Falls in the Kaimai Range, at 153 metres in two drops. The track was closed into 2026 for rockfall work; see Explore Tauranga’s Wairere Falls guide for the latest.
Which of these can you swim at?
Rere Falls, Maraetotara Falls and Whangārei Falls are tested by the regional councils in summer, and Kitekite and Owharoa have pools people swim in when conditions allow. Check the latest result and skip it after heavy rain.
Which are easiest for young kids or wheelchairs?
Huka Falls has wheelchair-friendly lookout paths, and Purakaunui Falls has an upper platform that suits wheelchairs. For short, easy walks with kids, try Hūnua Falls, Pine Valley or Centennial Gardens in Napier.
Looking for more in one city? See all 20 Explore city guides. Also see Beaches in New Zealand and Playgrounds in New Zealand.