Bridal Veil Falls, Waikato

If you’re road-tripping to Raglan, you should consider an hour’s detour to the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls, which is a strong contender for the North Island’s best waterfall.

From the car park, cross the bridge and follow the easy gravel trail through a lush and surprisingly active patch of native forest. 

The track sticks to the true right of Pakoka River for 600m, before reaching an abrupt halt where the ground drops away ahead, as though gouged by a giant ice cream scoop. 

You’ll find the first – and most nauseating – viewing platform here, perched on the edge of the falls. 

If you’re acrophobic, move on, but if being inches from a 55m drop appeals, drink in the view of nature’s superbowl.

From the lookout, the track continues, looping down dozens of stairs to the bottom viewing platform at the base of the waterfall’s pool. A midway viewing point provides a decent vista along the way.

If you’ve timed your trip well with the sun, you’ll be rewarded with a    hypnotising display of rainbows dancing in the spray.