Otuihau Whangārei Falls, Northland
Just 20 minutes from the city centre, Otuihau Whangārei Falls is a place where you could spend a couple of hours.
The Hatea River pours over a 26m wall into a pristine pool. This classic curtain waterfall is more dramatic after heavy rain and is a popular swimming and picnicking spot.
The main walkway leads to a viewing platform then skirts the canyon wall before dropping to the valley floor. From there a swing bridge leads to an easy climb along the far wall, back to the start of the loop.
The hinterland of Whangārei is replete with waterfalls, including Paranui and Raumaunga falls – a great ‘plan B’ if you are passing through Northland during poor weather.
Grade Easy Time 20min loop
Distance 1km
Piroa Falls, Northland
These falls are accessed via a 10-minute walk through native forest to where they flow 20m over a cliff into a plunge pool.
Walk down steps from the car park, then cross the Ahuroa River on a bridge. Descend briefly through bush into the gorge. The horse-tail waterfall is reached a few minutes later.
Grade Easy Time 20min return
Distance 200m
Waiau Falls, Coromandel Peninsula
Hidden on the Coromandel Peninsula is one of the country’s most accessible but beautiful waterfalls, tumbling over a 6m-high cliff into a natural amphitheatre.
The track takes only a few minutes to walk and the destination features a fantastic swimming hole.
About 1km further along the road is a magnificent grove of 600–800-year-old kauri – another reason to venture into this remote backwater. To reach the grove takes about 30 minutes on a well-formed track.
Grade Easy Time 4min return
Distance 100m
Bridal Veil Falls, Waikato
Wairēinga Bridal Veil Falls, where the Pakoka River plummets 55m into verdant native forest, is possibly the most attractive punchbowl fall in the country. The river has eroded soft sandstone to form a large amphitheatre, and a band of hard basalt forms the lip of the falls.
A visit to this secluded corner of Waikato requires a serious detour off the beaten track to the 217ha Wairēinga Scenic Reserve, which is dominated by tawa forest.
A wheelchair-friendly walk follows the river to the top viewing point, where there’s a breathtaking view over the edge. Descend a staircase to a midway viewpoint, then continue to a boardwalk which leads to the base of the falls.
Wairēinga means ‘leaping waters’, and refers to spirits leaping the great height of this waterfall, which is known by tangata whenua to be occupied by patupaiarehe (fairies) who are kaitiaki of the area.
Grade Easy Time 20min return
Distance 600m

