chasing waterfalls: ten of new zealand’s best cascades

One thing I’ve done a lot of recently is track down waterfalls in New Zealand. Southern NZ is full of them, especially in the Catlins and Fiordland, but there are some really amazing ones in the North Island as well. Some waterfalls you can only see via hiking trails like the Milford Track – like Sutherland Falls, or by helicopter or plane – like Browne Falls, others are roadside, like Owharoa Falls. Obviously, there are way more than ten waterfalls, but these are some of my favourites + local secrets + tourist hot spots. My advice? Definitely go chasing waterfalls if you come to New Zealand….

rainbow falls: kerikeri

One of my all-time favourite waterfalls is just outside of Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands. It’s a ten minute walk down to the shore of the pond and – if you’re brave enough to jump in – a five minute swim across the pond to the falls. Climb out and walk along the rocks to the cave behind the waterfall – trust me, you do not want to miss this!

charlie’s rock: kerikeri

Another hidden hot spot in the Bay of Islands, Charlie’s Rock is near Rainbow Falls and is accessible by a twenty minute walk through pastures and along a very muddy, rocky stream. But possibly the best part of Charlie’s Rock is the large pillars that you can jump off of into the swimming hole below.

whangarei falls: whangarei

Whangarei Falls is likely one of the most photographed falls in the Northland, and for good reason. Its 26m tall and a spectacular curtain waterfall with a deep swimming hole. It’s very well-signposted off the road north of Whangarei.

piroa falls: waipu gorge/whangarei

South of Whangarei, off SH1 is a sign for Piroa Falls. Follow the gravel road about six kms in and then walk ten minutes down to the bottom of the falls. What I like about this waterfall is that its well enough off the beaten track to be semi-remote (I was the only person there when I went) and is surrounded by native bush.

bridal veil falls: raglan

267 steps down, 267 steps back up – but they are absolutely worth it. The 55m tall falls stream over the basalt columns into the pool below, sending up a mist that extends all the way to the viewing platform. My favourite part about these falls is the basalt columns, because I kind of like basalt columns and because they look so damn cool from below. No swimming at this one due to the water quality or lack of.

oahu waterfall: kaikoura

In my mind, the best waterfall in NZ because baby seals swim in it. Seriously. As I write this, the earthquake is still shaking the Kaikoura area so I hope the baby seals are okay.

lady bowen falls: milford sound

Not the tallest falls in NZ – that honour belongs to Sutherland Falls, also in Milford Sound, or possibly Browne Falls in Doubtful Sound, both of which are harder to access – but still pretty breathtaking. The best way to view these falls is by a boat tour in Milford – the boat drivers take you straight up to the falls – but the DoC recently reopened the Bowen Falls track after almost 14 years of being closed. You can view most of the Lady Bowen falls from the walking track across the basin if you aren’t doing a boat tour (but then why are you in Milford?)

the chasm: milford sound

I love these falls for the rocks, not necessarily the water… thousands of years of water rushing through the cascade of rocks here has given the boulders a Swiss cheese-like appearance. Very accessible from the Milford Road just after the Homer Tunnel, and only a ten minute walk from the carpark.

purakaunui falls: the catlins

Probably the most photographed of the Catlins waterfalls, the Purakaunui Falls step down large boulders to the river below. The walk is easy – through native beech forest – and accessible.

mclean falls: the catlins

There are three parts to this stunning falls. First seen is the Chute, which thunders through the narrow passage on its way to the lower river. Second is the lower falls which cascade gently over the stepped rocks. And third is the falling water from about 22m above. The main trail ends at the bottom of the falling water – walk about on the rocks and climb carefully to the pool at the base of the third tier – but it is possible to climb to the top of the falls as evidenced by the guys that did it while I was there.

Do you have a favourite NZ waterfall? Did I put it on my list? If not, tell me about it below!

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