If you love to see and photograph waterfalls, but don’t want to walk for hours, then these are the best waterfalls for you to travel to when you’re on the North Island of New Zealand.
Most of them need a little to a moderate amount of effort to get to, and all are worthwhile. Pick your time right, as, after a bit of rain, you can see them in their full glory.
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If you are travelling around New Zealand, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
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Best Waterfalls in Northland
Te Wairere Falls, KeriKeri
Starting in the north of the island, Kerikeri has three of the best waterfalls to see.
Te Wairere Falls can be found after a half-hour walk, with the trail starting behind St. James’ Church.
Walking through the bush and crossing the river by bridge at times, is a nice walk to take on a hot summer’s day.
Your reward at the end is a pool under the falls that you can cool off in.
It’s a very easy walk along a level track that can get muddy if it’s been raining.
How to Get Here
There are two entrances to this walk and it all depends on how long you want to take walking through the bush.
The longest way is sign-posted from behind St. James’ Church down at the old settlement. The other has a track off the Kerikeri Inlet Road.
Wharepoke and Rainbow Waterfalls, KeriKeri
These two waterfalls are on the other side of the river from the Stone Store.
Getting to Rainbow Falls and back will take a couple of hours, or you could go as far as Wharepoke Falls, which will only take about 30-45 minutes to return.
If the thought of a longer walk puts you off or you don’t have the time, you can drive to Rainbow Falls. It’s only a 5-minute walk to the lookouts and down to another swimming hole. You can also walk behind the falls.
I didn’t meet many people on the Kerikeri River track, but Rainbow Falls are very popular, especially in the summer.
How to Get Here
It’s straightforward to find these two waterfalls, and you have two ways to do it.
From the main car park for the Mission House, Stone Store, there is the Kerikeri River track that follows the river to Rainbow Falls, passing Wharepuku Falls about a quarter of the way along.
You could also choose to go to the car park off Rainbow Falls Road and walk a couple of minutes down the track to Rainbow Falls.
Haruru Falls, Haruru
Hururu Falls is a very accessible waterfall and only 5 minutes from Paihia and a 2-minute walk from the car park.
I was there later in the afternoon and nearly had the whole place to myself.
It doesn’t matter if there has been much rain when seeing these falls, as they always seem to have enough water flowing over to get a good photograph.
How to Get Here
Turn down Haruru Falls Road off Highway 11, and on the right, you’ll find the car park. It’s only a couple of minutes’ walk to view the waterfall.
Whangarei and Paranui Waterfalls, Whangarei
Whangarei Falls is well known, but if you’re in the area, it’s worth checking out Paranui Falls in A.H. Reed Memorial Kauri Park.
I haven’t seen Paranui Falls, as this little-known waterfall is overshadowed in popularity by its neighbour.
There is a track that joins two of the best waterfalls in the area. You have many lookouts to see Whangarei Falls from the top and bottom.
How to Get Here
Whangarei Falls is next door to Whangarei Falls Holiday Park and YHA, on Puna Rere Drive. You can walk from Whangarei Falls to Paranui Falls via the track next to the Hatea River or drive to A.H. Reed Park off Whareora Road.
For more blogs on the Bay of Islands region, click here.
Best Waterfalls in Auckland
Oakley Creek Waterfall
Oakley Creek Waterfall is located in the suburbs of Auckland.
Just a short walk from the suburb of Point Chevalier will find you in this bush oasis, with motorways on the other side of the road and underneath you.
It’s only about a 20-30-minute walk to get to the falls, and it can be muddy if it has been raining lately.
There are also more walkways on the other side of Great North Road to explore, including toilets, a playground, a skate park and a BMX park.
How to Get Here
There are entrances to the Oakley Creek Walkway along Great North Road in Waterview.
Some of the best waterfalls are in the Waitakere Ranges to the west of Auckland. Go to the Arataki Information Centre to check the tracks are open when you visit. They weren’t when I was there due to Dieback disease and the protection of the Kauri from it.
There is also the Hunua Falls to the south of Auckland. Once again, check the information centre to see that the tracks are open.
For more on what to see and do in Auckland, click here.
Best Waterfalls in Waikato
Owharoa Falls, Karangahake Gorge
Owharoa Falls is a beautiful waterfall set in the bush just a couple of hundred metres off the road.
Located in the Karangahake Gorge area, you can add this waterfall to a full day of exploring the gorge and surrounding towns. As inviting as it looks, this is not somewhere you would want to swim, with a few drownings here due to what lies beneath.
How to Get Here
Another very easy and quick walk off Waitawheta Road, or you can walk from the Karangahake Gorge car park, which is about 5km up the road via a bush track.
For more on the walks in Karangahake Gorge, click here.
Marokopa and Bridal Veil Waterfalls
It doesn’t matter what level of fitness you have, Bridal Veil Falls is one for everyone.
With a level track from the car park, the first lookout is nearly right on top of the drop.
You can carry around the track and get views of the side, but if you want to get to the bottom of the falls, you have to go down 261 steps, which is the easy part. The hard part is going back up again. You have a couple of rest areas to take in the view of the falls along the way.
How to Get Here
Bridal Veil Falls is out of Hamilton on the way to Raglan. The car park is off Kawhia Road.
Marokopa Falls is off Te Anga Road, west of Waitomo Caves.
For more on what to read on this region, click here.
Huka Falls, Taupo
One of the most popular, accessible and best waterfalls in New Zealand is Huka Falls.
This path to the falls is sealed and many tour groups stop here.
From the car park, take a track to the less touristy, opposite side of the river and get an even more impressive view of the power of the falls.
Get your timing right, and you’ll see the tourist cruise and jet boats try to get as close as possible to the drop.
How to Get Here
Take the well-signposted turnoff from Wairakei Drive, or you can walk the Huka Falls Walkway from Spa Thermal Park in Taupo.
Aratiatia Falls, Taupo
There are plenty of lookouts along the easy walking track for you to see the water descend 28m in the space of 1km.
Waters are released from the dam three times a day in winter and four times in summer to give you the spectacle of the water rushing down the rapids. From April – September, the times are 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm and from October – March, it’s 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm.
The dam is being released and the falls further downstream.
How to Get Here
Take Aratiatia Road from the Thermal Explorer Highway, and it’s just 2km up the road. You could also walk from Huka Falls or Taupo on the Huka Falls Walkway/Aratiatia Rapids Walk.
For more blogs on walking and cruising on the waters of Taupo, click here.
Best Waterfalls in Bay of Plenty
McLaren Falls, Tauranga
These falls may be a bit out of the way, but it’s a nice reprieve to get out of the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in nature.
The first of the best waterfalls you may see is when you’re driving over the bridge before entering the park.
Once you get to the car park, it’s only a short walk to the falls. You can do a loop track back onto the car park, which will take you past glow worms, which can be seen when it’s dark.
The beautiful falls amongst the bush and the falls as you cross the bridge on the main road.
How to Get Here
You will need a car to get to this park as it is a 20-minute drive from Tauranga.
From Tauranga travel east on the SH-29 for 18 km, then turn left into McLaren Falls Rd and follow it for the next 1.2 km. You will see signposts to go into the parkland once you are over the bridge and where the falls are inside the parkland.
For more information on McLaren Falls and walking up Mount Maunganui, click here.
Best Waterfalls in Rotorua
Okere Falls, Tutea and Trout Pool Waterfalls
Tutea Falls is one of the most dramatic and best waterfalls you will get to visit, as it hosts the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world.
From the car park, it’s an easy walk along the track, first seeing Okere Falls and then down to Tutea Falls.
If you time your walk right, you can see the rafters negotiate the cascades before getting down to Tutea Falls in time to see them go over.
There is a staircase to get down to the lookout for Tutea Falls.
You can either head back to the car park or continue down to Trout Pool Falls while following the white-water rafters to their final destination.
Trout Pool Falls, you can’t go over in a raft, but you can get a very good view of it from the bridge over the river.
The loop to go to Trout Pool Falls and back to the car park is a leisurely 2.1km, and you may also see local birds in the bush you walk through.
If you don’t want to walk all the way to Trout Pool Falls, you can drive further down Okere Falls Road to another car park for Trout Pool Falls.
How to Get Here
You’ll need a car to drive the 21 km, to the other side of Lake Rotorua.
From State Highway 33, turn left into Okere Falls Road, and the car park is on your right, less than 300m up the road.
To read more blogs about finding nature in Rotorua, click here.
Best Waterfalls in Hawke’s Bay
Te Ana and Tangoio Waterfalls, Napier
The Te Ana and Wangoio Falls are a popular walk just off State Highway 2, north of Napier.
The track is level, although you can get muddy up to Te Ana Falls, which you see at the last minute as you round the bend. This fall is so accessible that you can walk right up to it.
The walk to Tangoio Falls is a little more challenging as you go up in elevation a bit, and it can be very muddy under the protection of the trees. There is a well-built lookout for you to see the falls safely.
How to Get Here
There is a large car park and picnic area on the right-hand side of the road, heading north on State Highway 2, 26 km north of Napier. Click here for Google Maps.
Booking.comMaraetotara Falls
The walk to Maraetorara Falls is an easy half-kilometre walk beside the Maraetotara River. It’s level all the way, and the falls at the end are well worth the walk.
It is also a very quiet place, and you’ll probably have the walk to yourself. You can also swim at this spot.
How to Get Here
The quiet spot is a half-hour drive south of Napier off Maraetotara Road. Click here to open Google Maps for the exact location.
If you’d like to read more blogs about what to see and do in Napier, click here.
Best Waterfalls in Manawatu-Wanganui
Taiwhai, Taranaki Waterfalls and Silica Rapids, Whakapapa Village
For the fans of Lord of the Rings, Tawhai Falls may look a little familiar.
Tawhai Falls was one of the filming places where Gollum caught a fish.
It’s only a 10-minute walk to the waterfall. The first lookout you see is overlooking the falls, but if you go a bit further on, you will find the view in the photo below. This last bit is tricky as you are walking on big boulders to get down to the river.
Taranaki Falls is a much longer walk especially if you do the loop walk, but it is very rewarding. Doing the loop walk is about 6km, which will take you about 2 hours.
The trail is good with some steps, and if you’re short like me, the first step is always the steepest.
For the Silica Rapids walk, you start the track from just above the iSite is a way to take in the bush and walk beside the river. It’s a 6.8km loop walk that should take about 2 hours to complete, although I didn’t head back on Bruce Road, but the way I came.
There are a couple of spots to take photos of, like the Rusty Rocks and Golden Rapids, along the way.
All are fantastic waterfalls to see, and you can easily spend a weekend doing the other walks in the area including, the world-famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the best one-day walk in the world.
How to Get Here
Taranaki Falls starts from behind the iSite in Whakapapa Village.
Tawhai Falls is only a 2.5km, or 2-minute drive from the turnoff to Whakapapa Village or a 3.7km, or 4-minute drive back down from the Village.
Silica Rapids can be reached by the walk up from Whakapapa Village or further up Bruce Road if you don’t want the long walk.
Mangawhero and Waitonga Waterfalls, Ohakune
Mangawhereo Falls is only a minute’s walk off the road. You have a great view of the top of the falls, and if you walk a bit further along the track, you can see them fall in their entirety.
The Waitonga Falls trail takes about one and a half hours to complete at 3.9km.
This walk is great for taking in the bush and has fantastic views of Mt. Ruapehu when you get on the boardwalk.
When you get to the waterfall, they are harder to see unless you’re a bit of a mountain goat, and don’t mind getting your feet wet as you cross the river.
It’s best to do these walks after rain and not in the middle of summer like me during a drought.
How to Get Here
Both waterfalls are off the Ohakune Mountain Road at the back of Ohakune township. If you go to the top of Mt. Ruapehu, you’ll get to the Turoa ski field. You’ll love the views across the country from up here.
If you’d like to read my blog about more walks in Tongariro National Park, you can find the link here.
Best Waterfalls in Gisborne
Rere Falls and Rockslide
You first come to Rere Falls when driving from Gisborne. There is a car park, lawn area and picnic tables to enjoy lunch. Two more minutes drive up the road is the Rere Rockslides.
For adventure seekers, the Rere Rockslides is the place to come to. Bring your boogie board or something safe to ride down the 60m waterslides on, but be warned that the rocks are sharp, so don’t come off.
You should also be able to swim well as the pool at the bottom is deep at 4m.
How to Get Here
It’s a bit of a hike to get there at 58km NW of Gisborne, a 45-minute drive on Wharekopae Road, but it’s worth it. The Falls are the first you come to, and the Rockslide is only 2km more up the road.
If you’d like to read my blog on Gisborne, you can find the link here.
Best Waterfalls in Taranaki
Pukekura Park Waterfall, New Plymouth
This easy-to-see waterfall is accessible to everyone of all ages and all abilities.
Located in Pukekura Park, its well-defined paths lead you around the park. It’s also right beside the track, so there’s no lookout or steps to negotiate.
There is plenty more to see in this park, walking through the bush, over a bridge and past lakes. Even a small zoo.
How to Get Here
It’s a short walk from central New Plymouth in Pukukura Park.
If you’d like to read my blog on New Plymouth, click here.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these easy to get to waterfalls of the North Island and you will find time to see them while you’re here.
I am not a hiker or very adventurous, so anyone who can do moderate exercise should be able to get to these waterfalls.
The sun in New Zealand is strong, so remember to put on sunscreen, and take water to keep you hydrated on these walks.
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Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.
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I have never visited NZ but have always been interested in visiting, so this guide will definitely be useful should I decide to finally come across the pond in 2023!
Thanks, Amy. There is so much to see and do and I hope you get over one day. You’ll find more ideas on my website.
Wow, one day when I finally see NZ, I will have to make it a long trip! I totally would love to see each of these waterfalls and explore this beautiful country. I really appreciate that you included maps to make it user friendly.
Thanks, Erin. I hope you get there one day and be prepared there are dozens more waterfalls to see than I have listed here. Hopefully, all will be open for you to visit and not protected from disease.
So many beautiful waterfalls. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks, I hope you get to visit one day.
There are, Cassie. I’m glad you enjoyed them.
There are soooo many beautiful waterfalls up there. I feel lucky to have visited a few of these!
I love chasing waterfalls. And this is a great guide to the prettiest waterfalls in North Island of New Zealand.
Thanks, I hope you get to visit many waterfalls in your travels.
What a great guide! Thanks for sharing all the photos, maps and tips on how to get to each of the waterfalls. Hope that one day I’ll be able to see these amazing waterfall with my own eyes!
Thanks, I hope you get to see them one day too.
Wow I didn’t know there was so many beautiful waterfalls on the north island. Thanks for all this info and your photos are beautiful. I spend a lot of time in Auckland and love going on little trip to explore the outdoors.
Thanks, Elyse. You’ll have to check out the one in Pt Chev if you haven’t already.
Oh wow, these waterfalls look incredible! I have never visited New Zealand but its very high up my list!
Thanks, Leah. I hope you get to visit one day.
Wow! There are so many amazing waterfalls there! And it’s wild to see how different they all are. I hope to get to explore at least a few of these during my trip!
I hope you do, Destiny, and these are only the really accessible ones. If you have more time there are plenty more.
One cool waterfall after another. It would make for a great road trip just to see them all.
It would be a fantastic road-trip, Jolayne.
New Zealand is top of my bucket list! And I love hikes that are short and easy but have a big payoff, so these look perfect.
They are perfect, and this blog is just a taste of what you can expect in New Zealand.
Beautiful pictures! New Zealand looks like such an incredible place to visit and I hope to soon 🙂
Thanks, Hannah. You’ll have to check out my other blogs on New Zealand, there is just so much to see.
Your post inspires me to accelerate my vacation planning for New Zealand. It is on my bucket list. Your waterfall photos are breathtaking.
Thanks, Terri. Check out my other blogs to get more ideas.
New Zealand never disappoints with its beautiful natural environments. A wonderful and comprehensive guide of the many beautiful waterfalls that are worthy of visiting in the North Island.
Thanks, Marilyn, and the good news is there are more to be explored.
We too love to chase waterfalls when we travel. And when we finally get to the North Island of New Zealand I know we will be searching out the waterfalls. We originally were going to visit by cruise ship but I am now convinced we really need to explore by car and not miss all the gems along the way. I love the great variety in the falls you have shown. Thanks for the detailed directions and notes. A good post to keep for planning.
I am biased, Linda, but I’m glad you decided to explore by car rather than cruise. There is so much to see and do in New Zealand, and a car is the easiest way to see all of its hidden gems, including these waterfalls.
Oooh I wish I had seen this before we did a road trip around NZ. I love it when you can find easy walks or sights that allow you to stretch your legs along any route… and I LOVE waterfalls. Some of these are simply spectacular!
Oh no, Josy, it’s such a shame that you missed them, but that gives you an excuse to go back again as there are so much more open now than when I was there.
I always appreciate excuses for going back to Kiwiland!! 😉
We are hoping to go back to New Zealand this winter so I’ll keep this list handy as I love waterfalls.
I hope you enjoy your time in New Zealand and see these waterfalls and more.