We have spent our fair share of time in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. Tiff spent a good 5 months working at the major hospital in Hamilton here, so we have had a decent chance to explore the area. It’s no secret that we love waterfalls, so why not bring our love of waterfalls and the Waikato region together and share our top 5 must see waterfalls in Waikato?! The region itself is the 4th largest in New Zealand and home to the highest waterfall in the North Island. So lace up your hiking boots and check out these magnificent waterfalls.
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Wairere Falls – Matamata
Getting There: a 15 minute drive from Matamata. 5.5km, 2.5hr out and back trail if you go to the very top of the falls. It’s 1.6km hike to the falls viewpoint and then another 1.2km to the top of the falls.
The highest waterfall in Waikato and North Island is so spectacular you can see it from miles off as you drive up to the mountain face it tumbles down. The trail itself can get quite muddy in the wetter months, so be sure to have appropriate footwear on when you are climbing to the viewing platform. Along the way, you will cross the river on bridges and walk along rocky edges to get to some breath-taking stairs on the climb to the half way viewing platform. It’s well worth the walk though and easy enough if you are of moderate fitness. We saw plenty of kids taking on the stairs with little to no trouble. Once you get to the viewing platform, take in the beauty as water plunges 153 meters down the rock face to meet the lush greenery of ferns and moss at the bottom of the falls.
If you are feeling strong, you can continue on up the trail from here to get to the very top of the falls. We were running out of daylight when we did this one, so we are yet to see the very top of the falls. We’ve heard you get stunning views of the Waikato region from here, so we’ll be coming back at some point! At the end of the hike, we were lucky enough to have a food truck greet us. We got some delicious Momos (a Nepalese dumpling) after working up an appetite on the hike, so be sure to bring some cash in case they are there when you finish. Trust us when we say it’s the best post hike snack we have ever had.
Wairēinga or Bridal Veil Falls – Raglan
Getting There: 15 minutes from Raglan. 1.6km out and back trail. 500m to first viewpoint, 100m to the next, and then another 300m to the bottom.
A beautiful and easy walk through lush green bush following the Pakoka River to the top of these falls. There are two viewing platforms at the top so you can admire different angles of these falls. For those not afraid of stairs, head on down the steep steps and visit the midway and bottom viewing platforms to truly take in the majesty of these falls. You’re rewarded for the climb, as the view from the bottom is truly stunning and you are often lucky enough to see a rainbow in the mist created by the falls.
We loved that the start of this trail has a sign in Te Reo Māori greeting visitors to the area and asking that it be treated with care. A lovely reminder that we are on Māori land and to show respect and care for the land we are fortunate to enjoy.
Marokopa Falls – Waitomo
Getting There: 40 minutes from Waitomo. 800m out and back trail.
These 35m high falls are beautiful and a very easy walk down to the viewing platform. When we visited, the platform was closed for repair. However, you still had a stunning view of the falls from behind the yellow tape telling you to stay off the platform. Definitely still worth a visit, even if the platform is still out of action. Whilst you are here, drive up the road a little to the Piripiri cave walk. It’s a short walk through native forest to a cave with a boardwalk and stairs down to the bottom. Be sure to bring your phone to use as a torch if you don’t have a head torch.
Waitanguru Falls – Piopio
Getting There: 25 minutes from Piopio. 300m out and back again.
An almost fairy tale 15m waterfall amongst lush green forest. You can’t miss the short walk out to these falls. Unfortunately, the base of the waterfalls is not accessible, but you get a magnificent view from the viewing platform so you don’t feel like you miss out on anything by not getting down to the water’s edge. When you visit, make time for the Mangotaki Walk nearby. If you are looking to make a day out of it, then why not add on a Hairy Feet Waitomo Tour? This is still on our list to do as it shows you around some of the film locations for The Hobbit!
Huka Falls – Taupō
Getting There: 7 minutes from Taupō. 50m walk from the car park. You’ll hear the falls before you see them!
We can’t have a waterfalls in Waikato list and not include Huka falls! No doubt it’s already on your list, but we had to make sure just in case. Huka falls are impressive for the sheer volume of water that gushes out of the narrow gorge and into the river below. The sound is thunderous as about 1/4 of a million litres of water per second gushes out the 11m drop. Don’t miss the views from both sides of the river at the multiple viewing points to work all the angles! If you are a keen hiker, you can even walk along the Waikato to the Aratiatia Rapids further along the river.
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