21+ Best New Zealand waterfalls (with inspiring photos!)

Best waterfalls in New Zealand - my top 5 must-see

Let's start with my favorite waterfalls in New Zealand. And let me tell you: it is difficult to choose !
They all deserve a visit. So you should not plan your New Zealand road trip around a selection, but plan your itinerary and add the waterfalls that are on your path.

• Location
  North Island, near Waitomo (just 30min drive from the caves)
  Rotorua to Marokopa waterfall = 2h30 drive
  Small carpark
  Easy to include in your North Island itinerary
• Access
  A short 5min walk with 25 stairs to access the viewpoint of the waterfall.
  The path is maintained but a little steep (bring poles if you have knee problems)
  Signs indicate that is not recommended to walk closer
  No facilities
• Dimensions
  35m high (115ft)
• Notes
  I was really surprised by the number of people at the Waitomo caves compared to the few explorers at this waterfalls and the natural bridge nearby. They are both really beautiful and deserve the 30min drive past the cave.
  Despite seeing it with low level of water, it could see the many cascades created by the structure of the rock. The water seems to be dancing and this is why I love it.

• Location
  North island, East Coast, inland from Gisborne
  Gisborne to Rere falls = 45min
  Large carpark, popular with locals
  Not far, you can also find the Rere slide (natural rock formation to slide)
• Access
  Very easy access from the carpark. ​
  Large grassy area and toilets.
• Dimensions
  10m high (33ft)
  20m wide (66ft)
• Notes
  This was such a fund waterfall, it is not tall and not with cascade, but it is a beautiful wall of water, like a giant shower.
  You can see from the front or get to the side. You can have a blast getting under it!

• Location
  South Island, East Coast, in the Catlins
  Dunedin to Mc Lean Falls = 2h drive
  Large carpark
• Access
  Last 3km are on a gravel road
  25min walk on a maintained path to the waterfall. It is uphill to the falls with 80 stairs and a few rocks to climb.
  ​Some climbing to get to the rock where you see people on the picture above.
  Toilets at the carpark
• Dimensions
  22m high (72ft)
• Notes
  It is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in New Zealand with different sections and cascades.
  Plus the walk to get there is already enchanting with another waterfall called The Chute. 

• Location
  South Island, at Arthur's pass
  Greymouth to Devil's punchbowl = 1h15 drive
  Large carpark
• Access
  You can already see it from the distance if you don't want to climb. Just walk 200m from the carpark.
  Otherwise, to reach the viewing platform you have to climb 232 stairs up then 91 down and then 69 up. 
  Plan 1h for the return walk
  Near the village of Arthur's pass, can be included in your South Island itinerary (see my suggestions)
• Dimensions
  131m high (430ft)
• Notes
  You will climb through lush forest and be rewarded with this impressive straight drop in a cut in the mountain.
  I really enjoy the angle we have from the platform being able to admire it entirely.

• Location
  North island, West coast, near Raglan
  Rotorua to Bridal Veil Falls = 2h20 drive
  Small carpark
• Access
  Easy well maintained path to the top of the waterfall with 2 viewing platforms (10min walk)
  Plus 261 stairs to get to the base of the waterfall with a viewing bridge
  Toilets at the beginning of the walk
• Dimensions
  55m high (180ft)
• Notes
  This is really an enchanting waterfall, especially because of the lush native coastal forest surrounding it.
  The path is really well done with explanation and 4 different viewing platforms total.
  See more photos in my article

About the New Zealand waterfalls 

The highest waterfalls in New Zealand?

Like with the number of waterfalls, it depends on the definition...

• Everyone agrees that Sutherland Falls is a waterfall and at 580m (1903ft) is used to be considered the highest one.
• However if you count the drop, then Browne falls in Doubtful sound is the tallest at 836m (2743ft). If accepted as a waterfall, it is the 9th highest in the World. But people argue that it cascade and does not fall as a single drop (but nor does Sutherland)...

Wildly accepted highest waterfall in New Zealand - Sutherland Falls

• Location
  South Island, West coast, near Milford Sound
• Access
  Not easy to access - it can be seen only:
  - by hiking the  day Milford track
  - by taking a scenic flight - such as this one
• Dimensions
  580m high (1903ft)
  

Wairere Falls - Highest waterfall in North Island?

• Location
  North Island, East Coast, east of Tauranga
  Rotorua to Wairere falls = 1h drive
• Access
  45 min through native forest to the viewpoint 
  45 extra minutes to the top of the waterfalls
• Dimensions
  153m high (502ft)
• Notes
  2 stage waterfall, probably the highest in North Island (it depends again how you define waterfalls)

Waterfalls in the New Zealand Fjords

Many New Zealand waterfalls drop vertically from hundreds of meter along the wall of the fjords.
Cruising in the middle and getting close to them is very impressive.

Some of the most famous include:

• Waterfalls in Milford Sound 
  - Stirling Falls (151m - 495ft)- the most photographed (all cruise get close) - can be seen in the distance from the Milford shore - photo below
  - Lady Elizabeth Bowen falls (162m - 531ft) - can be seen by cruise or from land
  - Four sisters - visible only by cruise during rainy days
• Waterfalls in Doubtful Sound - they are less permanent
  - Browne falls 836m (2743ft) - as I wrote earlier, depending on the definition for waterfalls
  - Helena Falls (50m - 164ft) - to be see by cruise
  - Lady Alice Falls (200 or 280m - 656 or 919ft)

Below is a selection of pictures from those fjords:

Other waterfalls - NZ North Island

• Location
  North Island, North of Taupo
  Taupo to Huka falls = 10min drive
• Access
  There is a viewing platform on one side to see from above.
  Or you can walk near it, to see and listen to the rush of water.
• Dimensions / notes
  This is not your typical waterfall.
  It is a place where the Waikato rivers that is 100m wide (382ft) enters a shallow ravine. The high volume rushes in a tight area.
  It is quite impressive and loud!

• Location
  North island, West Coast, on the slope of Mt Taranaki
  New Plymouth to Dawson falls = 1h drive
  Large parking at the visitor center
• Access
  After 400m on the road, you enter a path in the forest - 104stairs down to the viewing platform + 91 stairs down to the bottom of the waterfall
  Toilets at the carpark
• Dimensions
  18m high (59ft)
• Notes
  Nice views from the platform and the bottom.
  My favorite part is getting up-close to admire the moss growing on the rock around it

• Location
  North island, North of Auckland, in Whangarei
  Auckland to Whangarei falls = 2h10 drive
  Carpark
• Access
  Very well maintained path - 30min loop
  37 steps to platform and 101 stairs down to the river  - path to close the loop with a gravel track
  Toilets at the carpark
• Dimensions
  26m high (85ft)
• Notes
  The path is really well organised with viewing platforms from many different angles (both sides, up and down)
  Would be even more impressive with higher level of water.

• Location
  North island, North of Paihia (bay of islands)
  Paihia to Rainbow falls = 25min drive
  Large carpark
• Access
  Easy path to top view and down to the water - Plan 30min or longer if you swim
  Make sure you clean your shoes as advi​sed
  Toilets at carpark
• Dimensions
  27m high (23ft)
• Notes
  Lush forest surrounded this drop and large pool. You can admire it from different angle and walk along the river.
  With a higher amount of water and the sun in the right position, you can see rainbows.

• Location
  North island, in the Tongariro National park
  Hike departs from Whakapapa
  Taupo to Whakapapa = 1h15 drive
• Access
  2h loop hike - Generally flat - Steep staircase in the middle
  Not much shade
  Toilets in the village
• Dimensions
  20m high (66ft)
• Notes
  Beautiful walk with views of the volcanic cones and Mt Ruapehu
  It leads you to the edge of a lava flow where you can see the waterfall.
  Second waterfall below Taranaki

• Location
  North Island, Paihia (Bay of islands)
• Access
  Couple of min walk from carpark or you can do the long walk for the Waitangi treaty ground
  No toilets
• Dimensions
  5m tall (16ft) and around 12m/15m wide (40ft/49ft) depending on water level
• Notes
  Easy access from town (short drive)  and you can walk right to the edge

• Location
  North Island, East coast, close to road 1
  Few parking spaces
• Access
  6km of unsealed road (quite bumpy).
  15min return track with 80 stairs to the waterholes where you can swim and the waterfall.
• Dimensions
  20m high (66ft)
• Notes
  I love how the flow is straight at the top and cascading at the bottom.
  Plus you are standing in the narrow gorge cut by the river. 
  Because of the gravel road, it is out of the touristic path

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Check out the cars and prices

Other NZ waterfalls - South Island

• Location
  South Island, East coast, in the Catlins
  Dunedin to Purakaunui = 1h35 drive
• Access
  600m of gravel road, large carpark
  20min return walk - 50 small stairs
  Toilets at carpark
• Dimensions
  15m high (49ft)
• Notes
  A well maintained easy path through beed forest to an elegant 3 tier waterfall. It is often considered postcard-perfect. 
  Better after rain 

• Location
  South Island, in the Abel Tasmal National Park
  Nelson to Wainui falls = 2h drive
  Large carpark
• Access
  Last 350m are gravel roads
  Easy path through the forest along the river (with a few stairs and a suspension bridge).
  Plan 1h return (including photo time)
  Toilets and café at carpark
• Dimensions
  20m high (66ft)
• Notes
  Enchanting walk in the National park to this small but charming waterfall surrounded by moss.

• Location
  South Island, middle of nowhere
  Picton to Maruia falls = 2h40 drive
  Large carpark
• Access
  Easy access to the top and 5min walk to the base
  Toilets at carpark
• Dimensions
  10m high (33ft)
• Notes
  I would not do a detour to see it, but if you are driving on Road 6, this is a great stop to get some fresh air and see the rushing water over the old river bank (changes happened because of an earthquake triggered landslide in 1929).

• Location
  South Island, west Coast, along the walk to the Franz Josef glacier
  Large carpark but very popular
• Access
  You can't miss them as you walk to the glacier viewing platform (1h30 return)
  Easy path 
  Toilets at carpark
• Notes
  The Franz Josef glacier walk was one of my favorite in New Zealand. You see forest, a large valley, a glacier, and several waterfalls. Those 2 are really by the walk and I like how they are on each side of the rock.

• Location
  South Island, West Coast - on the drive between Wanaka and the West Coast
  Several waterfalls to see along the way - From Makarora tourist center to Haast village: 1h drive 78km (48mi)
• Access
  Just a few minutes easy walk to this beautiful drop between the trees
  No toilets
• Dimensions
  96m high (315ft)
• Notes
  This was my favorite waterfall along this drive : quite a high drop with the river flowing at the bottom

• Location
  South Island, West Coast - on the drive between Wanaka and the West Coast
  Several waterfalls to see along the way - From Makarora tourist center to Haast village: 1h drive 78km (48mi)
• Access
  Plan 30min return - Nice walk in the forest and some walking in river bed
  No toilets
• Notes
  A series of small cascade best seen after heavy rain

• Location
  South Island, West Coast - on the drive between Wanaka and the West Coast
  Several waterfalls to see along the way - From Makarora tourist center to Haast village: 1h drive 78km (48mi)
• Access
  Just a couple of minutes to see the waterfall from across the river
  No toilets
• Dimensions
  23m high (75ft)
• Notes
  The name is so appropriate. The flow really looks like the tail of a Fantail bird.

• Location
  South Island, West Coast - On the road to Milford Sound
  Also known as Christie falls
• Access
  Milford sound has many waterfalls, but this one is right by the side of the road. 
  You park after driving next to the falls on your way to Milford - 200m walk
• Dimensions
  15m high (49 ft)
• Notes
  Rushing waterfall - a quick stop to enjoy the scenery as you drive to Milford Sound.

Planning a road trip? Check out my Digital Guide: