16 Waterfalls in New Zealand That You Should Chase
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There are so many waterfalls in New Zealand. TLC were just plain wrong when they said “don’t go chasing waterfalls”. They clearly had never been to New Zealand. There are over 40 waterfalls that have been Dropped as Crumbs on Breadcrumbs alone! Naturally, it was pretty hard to narrow this list down to just 10. Which is why it ended up being 16. But you can’t have too much of a good thing though right?
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Wairere Falls – Bay of Plenty
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At 153m, Wairere falls are one of NZ’s highest waterfalls. There are multiple options to view this majestic beast. You can see it from the road-end carpark, take the 45 min walk to the first viewpoint, or commit to the slog to the top (3hr return). Whichever route you decide to undertake you can be sure of one thing… Wairere will leave you wai-reeling at how large and in-charge it is.
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Owharoa Falls – The Coromandel
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Just up the road from the popular Karangahake Gorge sits the equally as popular Owharoa Falls. Not the size that is impressive here, more the natural beauty of the water spreading and trickling over the moss-covered rocks! Get in for a dip, but just watch those slippery rocks or you will surely go for a skate as Breadcrumbs co-founder Cameron did (see here).
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Piroa Falls – Northland
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This stunning hidden gem in Northland features a whole lot of swimming holes to paddle in. Only 5 minutes on the track in the Waipu Gorge Scenic Reserve and you are at the base of this pictoresque banger of a fall. A nice easy walk with mellow pools to swim in – good one to take the kids to.
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Devil’s Punchbowl Falls – Arthur’s Pass
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If you are in the Arthurs Pass area the Devils Punchbowl Falls are a must-see! Experience the force of water rushing down 131m of beautiful southern NZ mountain terrain. Easy 1hr return walking track that doesn’t require a high level of fitness. Cheers to Breadcrumbs user Juan Noba for a banger of a pic too!
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Hunua Falls – Auckland
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Located about 45 mins from Auckland, in the Hunua Ranges – the 30m Hunua Falls are a great family-friendly option for a short adventure! Take either one (or both) of the lookout tracks and take the time to go for a dip in the popular local swimming spot! Remember to only use the walking trails that are open & use the hygiene cleaning stations – this is to help protect the native Kauri which are succumbing to the incurable Kauri Dieback Disease.
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Bridal Veil Falls (Waireinga) – Waikato
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One of the most “Crumbed” waterfalls on Breadcrumbs, the 55m Bridal Veil falls is an easily accessible waterfall near Raglan. Walk to each of the 3 lookout points to get a different perspective of the towering falls and the cavernous pit they have eroded into the limestone landscape. Cheers to Breadcrumbs user Kylie Lewis for this (and many other) epic waterfall Crumbs.
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Dawson Falls – Taranaki
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An easy 5 minute walk from the Dawson Falls visitor center on Mt Taranaki and you are standing at the foot of the 18m Dawsons Falls – featuring one of NZ’s oldest operational power generators. The drive up to the visitor center is a journey in itself, with a tunnel of native forest enclosing the narrow, windy road!
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Humboldt Falls – Fiordland
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The easy, well graded 30 minute walk on a track off the Hollyford rd in Fiordland will take you to one of the most impressive waterfalls in the area. Stroll through the dense rainforest before reaching the elevated lookout point! Best to go on a rainy day when Humboldt, as well as all of the other falls are pumping!
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Fantail Falls – West Coast
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Just down the road from the Blue Pools on the Wanaka-Haast drive, the Fantail Falls are a unique and impressive sight to behold. Super easy and accessible – just a 5 minute walk off the main highway and you are standing at the riverbed!
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Mount Damper Falls – Taranaki
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At 74m high, Mount Damper falls are again, worth the trip! Situated in north Taranaki – in a somewhat remote location, take the Mt Damper Track for just 1km before you will find yourself at one of 2 viewing platforms. The first 10 minutes of the walk are over private farmland – make sure you respect the property and leave gates as you find them & stay on the tracks.
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Earnslaw Burn – Queenstown
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Earnslaw Burn is not for the faint of heart. A 6 hour hike through bush will get you to an amazing tussock basin beside the glacier & water/icefall. Be prepared, as this walk involves river crossings and route hiking experience – while the area is known for interchangeable and often dangerous weather.
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Huka Falls – Taupo
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One of NZ’s most well known waterfalls! Just out of Taupo, head along and witness the raw power of the mighty wakachangi (the ol’ misty ol’ lady) a.k.a the Waikato river as it barrels through the 15m wide canyon. Also worth a look is the Aratiatia Rapids just up the road, where a spillway is opened 4 times daily (10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm) to release a torrent of rapids down a narrow gorge.
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Mangawhero Falls – Tongariro
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Just a 20 min return walk off the main road lie the popular 28-meter Mangawhero Falls. Take the waitonga falls track for a good view! Head along in Winter to see spectacular icicles that form around the falls! Find this gem about 20 mins up the mountain road from Ohakune.
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Taranaki Falls – Tongariro
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Take the 6km loop from Whakapapa Village. You will pass through tussock, alpine shrub and beech forest where you will find the “Cascade Falls”. About halfway along the trail, the 20m Taranaki falls are a great spot to enjoy excellent mountain views and experience a bloody great NZ waterfall – also a good option when the crossing is clouded in!
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Kaiate Falls/Te Rerekawau Falls – Tauranga
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Just a 30 mins drive then a 20 min walk from Tauranga and you will be poppin’ some mean manus into this swimming hole! Kaiate falls tracks are well formed – although quite steep in places. There is the main track which leads to the top of the falls, before the secondary track follows the stream back to the road.
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Whisky Falls – Nelson Lakes
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This mossy, damp waterfall lies just 5 minutes off the main lake Rotoiti loop track. It’s approximately 5 kms from the west bay DOC campsite. Time your visit right and witness the sunrays bouncing off the waterfall! A bit of history behind the name – Whisky falls gets it’s title from an old illicit whisky still that was found there in the 1880.
To find all of these sexy waterfalls, as well as countless others – Download Breadcrumbs. If you know of a waterfall that we have missed, Drop a Crumb on Breadcrumbs to share with the community! Or get in touch via the form below and let us know what we are missing out on!