Tutea Falls, Bay of Plenty

Tutea Falls on the Kaituna River is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, and is well worth a visit. It is one of a series of three short but charming waterfalls – Tutea, Kaituna and Okere, just 30min from Rotorua and is reached by a short round-trip.

The Ōkere Falls Track is popular and information boards document the area’s history.

Take care on the staircases and avoid the sudden drop-offs. From the main lookout platform, watch rafters and kayakers plunge seven metres over Tutea Falls into a cauldron of frothing whitewater.

Ngāti Pikiao chief Tutea was a popular Māori leader whose remains were buried in the cave directly behind the falls. The river was a rich food source, as the name ‘Kaituna’ (‘eating eels’) suggests. The churning waters of the upper river and a nearby pā were originally named Kōpuakino, meaning ‘the awful whirlpool’.

Grade Easy Time 60min return

Distance 1.2km

Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park

The impressive Taranaki Falls surge over an andesite lava flow that erupted from Mt Ruapehu 15,000 years ago, and drop 20m into a circular pool. This iconic shute can be visited on a loop track from Whakapapa Village.

Take the lower-level track to a stream and pass Cascade Falls. The bush is predominantly mountain beech, shiny broadleaf, mountain five-finger, umbrella ferns and mountain toatoa. Birds such as the whitehead, grey warbler and rifleman may be heard.

From the forest edge the track crosses Wairere Stream then heads up-river to the falls.

To return, climb above the falls on a flight of 100 steps. At Tama Lakes Track, turn right to return to Whakapapa. Native birds in this area include pipits, fernbirds and occasionally skylarks.

This diverse landscape features desert-like plateau, alpine herb fields, red tussock, stands of mountain beech and lava flows. Between May and October, ice and snow can make the track slippery. On a fine day, volcanic views include the symmetrical cone of Ngāuruhoe, Tongariro, and the lower ramparts of Ruapehu.

Grade Moderate Time 2hr return
Distance 6km

Mangatini Falls, West Coast

These falls are reached on the Charming Creek Walkway, and the fascinating local history is visible from the get-go at the defunct Charming Creek coal mine. There are many rusty relics, including an old boiler. After 15min the site of Mumms Mill is reached. There’s a steam engine, trolleys and log hauler. Tramline tracks are followed for another 90min to Watsons Mill, where there’s a lunch shelter. A suspension bridge and 50m tunnel then lead to Mangatini Falls. Beyond the lookout railing, a hidden track can be used to access the luxuriant green mossy boulders near the base of the waterfall.

Grade Easy Time 4hr return
Distance 11km

Whisky Falls Nelson Lakes National Park

From the lower car park on Mt Robert Road, the Lakeside Track sidles the regenerating slopes of Pourangahau Mt Robert to reach the Lake Rotoiti shoreline. After an hour along this easy bush track, the path becomes rocky and mānuka and kānuka give way to beech forest.

The path crosses several shingle fans and an ankle-deep, unbridged stream before reaching a picturesque pier. From here, a short side track leads inland to Whisky Falls – the name derived from the remains of an illicit whisky still found here in the 1880s.

This triple-tiered 40m waterfall is surrounded by thick walls of moss and fern. To gain the best vantage of all three cascades, climb up a jumble of boulders. Coldwater Hut is another hour’s amble along the lakeshore. A full circumnavigation of Lake Rotoiti takes about 7hr. Water taxi rides to the falls depart from Kerr Bay. Take insect repellent.

Grade Easy Time 3hr return
Distance 11km

Salisbury Falls, Golden Bay 

During the first major gold rush in 1856 my great-great-grandfather John Salisbury discovered the yellow stuff up the Aorere River, in what became known as Salisbury Creek. John applied to get the coveted bonus of £500 for finding a payable gold field but alas, George Lightband collared that prize.

In 1900, John’s son Ernest and his wife Kate built the house nearby at Armchair Farm, and raised 11 children next to the picturesque gorge. For a century their footbridge dangled over the turbulent waters of the Aorere, providing access to the falls and the Lead Hills beyond, where Ernest tried in vain to prospect for gold and muster sheep.

In recent times, Salisbury Falls appeared in The Hobbit: The desolation of Smaug, as the place where Tauriel and Legolas meet before heading to Lake Town.

While the four-metre-high falls are not particularly awe-inspiring, it is possible to venture behind this waterfall. There’s a deep swimming hole and after a long summer’s day on the Heaphy Track, or descending from Boulder Lake, it’s a place for a refreshing dip. Access is from near the bridge on Quartz Range Road.

Grade Easy Time 5min
Distance 300m

Coal Creek Falls, West Coast

Behind the small town of Runanga, a path descends into the Coal Creek Valley through mixed beech and podocarp forest. The track is off the tourist radar but it’s popular with locals, and  is straightforward but with a few stairs. There’s a seat at the end with a pleasant view of the 7m-high waterfall – and a refreshing dip,  if you are brave!

Grade Easy–moderate Time 1hr return
Distance 3.6km return

Tahekerua Sharplin Falls, Canterbury

Nestled in the foothills of Mt Somers, a family-friendly pathway meanders through beautiful bush full of birdlife to a series of small cascades alongside inviting blue-green pools. The cascades were named after Henry Sharplin, who purchased the land in 1906. Sharplin realised their scenic value and wanted the area protected.

The old track was destroyed by rockfall in the 2010 earthquake. In 2023 a new track, on the western side of the stream, was built by the Mt Somers Walking Society.

The falls can be seen from a viewing platform.

Grade Easy Time 40min
Distance 1.3km

Koropuku Falls, Southland

It can feel as though you’re at the bottom of the world when driving down the Chaslands Highway. It’s definitely a road less travelled, so it’s worth taking your time. When the weather isn’t great, spend a day visiting the five prominent waterfalls en route.

Most phone-touting tourists head for the Purakaunui Falls. A wheelchair-friendly path leads to a classic three-tiered 20m waterfall.

Matai and Horseshoe falls are both reached by the same track, which forks near the end. Both are typical horse-tail falls with their own unique charm.

The thundering McLean Falls drop 22m into the Tautuku River, which then flows over a series of terraces to the lower falls. These dramatic falls can be admired from various viewpoints. From the same car park on Rewcastle Road, another tramping track leads 4.5km to four-bunk Tautuku Hut.

The scenic bush walk to Koropuku Falls is maintained by locals. It’s not well-signposted and requires low river levels. The curtain-type waterfall is arguably the most beautiful in the country.

Grade Easy–moderate Time 5min to Purakaunui Falls; 20min to McLean Falls; 10min to Matai and Horseshoe falls; 15min to Koropuku Falls