Waterfalls in New Zealand: The Definitive Guide to Every Major Falls
New Zealand has more waterfalls per square kilometre than almost anywhere on Earth. The combination of high rainfall (especially on the West Coast and in Fiordland), steep mountain terrain, and young volcanic geology produces waterfalls in almost every major valley — from the thundering high-volume cascade of Huka Falls near Taupō to the tall Sutherland Falls deep in Fiordland, to the roadside curtain of Thunder Creek on the Haast Pass highway. This guide covers every significant waterfall in New Zealand, organised by region, with height notes (hedged where uncertain), access grades, and the best season to visit each.
Quick Reference: New Zealand Waterfalls at a Glance
| Waterfall | Region | Height (approx.) | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huka Falls | Taupō, North Island | 11m (high volume) | Car park, 5-min walk |
| Wairere Falls | Waikato, North Island | ~153m | 2-hr return walk |
| Bridal Veil Falls (Waireinga) | Waikato, North Island | ~55m | 20-min walk |
| Marokopa Falls | Waikato, North Island | ~35m, tiered | 5-min walk from road |
| Rere Falls | East Coast, North Island | Low, wide | Roadside, free |
| Sutherland Falls | Fiordland, South Island | ~580m total (3 tiers) | Milford Track or scenic flight |
| Stirling Falls | Milford Sound | ~155m | Cruise or kayak |
| Bowen Falls | Milford Sound | ~162m | Short walk from wharf |
| Humboldt Falls | Fiordland, South Island | Tall; hedge | Short walk, Hollyford Rd |
| Devil's Punchbowl Falls | Arthur's Pass | ~131m | 1-hr return walk |
| Thunder Creek Falls | West Coast/Haast Pass | ~96m | Roadside car park |
| Purakaunui Falls | Catlins, South Island | Low, tiered | 10-min walk |
North Island Waterfalls
Huka Falls, Taupō
Huka Falls is New Zealand's most-visited natural attraction, and it earns the title not through height but through sheer volume of water. The Waikato River — fed by Lake Taupō — narrows from roughly 100 metres wide to approximately 15 metres at a basalt gorge, forcing an average of around 220,000 litres per second through the gap and over an 11-metre drop. The result is extraordinarily turbulent, noisy, and vivid turquoise water, accessible from a free car park about 3.5km from Taupō township. A footbridge over the gorge vibrates from the force of the water. Our full guide to Huka Falls covers the jetboat tours that approach from river level and the Huka Falls Walkway from Taupō.
Wairere Falls, Waikato
Wairere Falls on the Kaimai Range near Matamata is frequently described as the tallest accessible waterfall in the North Island, with a total drop of approximately 153 metres. The track to the upper viewpoint takes about 2 hours return, climbing steeply through native bush to the base and then a side track to the top of the falls. The lower viewpoint is accessible in about 45 minutes. The falls are within the Wairere Falls Scenic Reserve, and the track is well-maintained but steep — appropriate footwear is required. Matamata, 20 minutes away, is also the gateway to Hobbiton Movie Set, making a natural half-day combination.
Bridal Veil Falls (Waireinga), Waikato
Bridal Veil Falls — also known as Waireinga — falls approximately 55 metres in a single unbroken drop into a deep pool surrounded by native bush near Raglan on the west Waikato coast. The falls are set in a small scenic reserve with a well-formed loop track; the upper viewing platform is reached in about 20 minutes from the car park, and the lower platform (at the pool base) requires a slightly longer loop. The surrounding bush is predominantly tawa and nikau palm, and the pool below the falls is deep and calm-looking, though swimming is not advised due to currents from the falling water. The drive to the falls combines well with a visit to Raglan surf beach, about 30 minutes north.
Marokopa Falls, Waikato
Marokopa Falls are on the Marokopa road south of Waitomo — a natural addition to any Waitomo Glowworm Caves day trip. The falls tumble about 35 metres in a series of tiers over dark basalt, set in native bush, and are reached in about 5 minutes from the road car park. The combination of accessible falls, glowworm caves, and the Marokopa black sand beach at the end of the road makes this valley one of the most rewarding short detours in the North Island. The Marokopa road is unsealed in sections — check conditions with locals before travel in wet weather.
Rere Falls, East Coast
Rere Falls on the Wharekopae River near Gisborne is a broad, shallow waterfall over a rock shelf — more rockslide than vertical drop — that has become famous as a natural water slide. The rock surface is smooth enough that visitors slide down on bodyboards or even just their bodies. There is no commercial operation; it is a free public area, popular with local families on hot days. The falls are on the Wharekopae Road about 45km from Gisborne. Flow is obviously best after rain; in dry summers the water depth over the rock can be minimal. The nearby Eastwoodhill Arboretum (one of the largest collections of northern hemisphere trees in the southern hemisphere) is worth combining.
Fiordland and Milford Sound Waterfalls
Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls, Milford Sound
Milford Sound has two permanent major waterfalls visible from the cruise area. Bowen Falls, at approximately 162 metres, is located near the wharf and can be reached on foot via a short track from the main terminal area. Stirling Falls, at approximately 155 metres, drops from the southern wall of the fiord and is approached by all cruise boats — most operators take their vessels as close as possible, sometimes close enough for the spray to reach passengers on deck. Both are fed by alpine catchments and flow year-round. After heavy rain (which is frequent), dozens of temporary waterfalls appear across all fiord walls, turning the entire landscape into a curtain of white. Full detail on cruises and timing in our Milford Sound and Fiordland guide.
Sutherland Falls, Milford Track
Sutherland Falls drops approximately 580 metres in three tiers from Lake Quill — a lake perched in a hanging valley above the Arthur Valley — making it among the tallest waterfalls in New Zealand and among the most significant in the southern hemisphere by total drop. It is reached via a side trip from Day 3 of the Milford Track (roughly 30 minutes each way from the main trail) or viewed on scenic flights from Te Anau or Milford Sound. The falls are most powerful in spring and early summer when snowmelt from the mountains above maximises the lake's outflow. Our guide to the best hikes in New Zealand covers the Milford Track booking process in detail.
Humboldt Falls, Fiordland
Humboldt Falls are visible on the Hollyford Road, the unsealed road that heads north from the Milford Highway toward the Hollyford Valley. A short 10-minute walk from the car park leads to a viewpoint of the falls dropping from a hanging valley above. The Hollyford Valley road is worth exploring beyond the falls: it accesses the start of the Hollyford Track, one of New Zealand's less-travelled wilderness walks, with lake and coast scenery. Road conditions should be checked with DOC before travel, especially in winter.
South Island: West Coast and Mountain Passes
Thunder Creek Falls, Haast Pass
Thunder Creek Falls is one of the most dramatically situated roadside waterfalls in New Zealand — it drops approximately 96 metres from the valley wall directly onto the State Highway 6 verge on the Haast Pass road between Wanaka and the West Coast. The falls are visible from the car park without walking, though a short level walk leads to the base. The West Coast side of the Haast Pass road has several other sizeable waterfalls and the Drive Through Forest, making the highway itself a scenic attraction. The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers are about 1.5 hours north on the same road.
Devil's Punchbowl Falls, Arthur's Pass
The Devil's Punchbowl is a 131-metre single-drop waterfall in Arthur's Pass National Park, accessed by a well-formed track from the Arthur's Pass village that takes about 45 minutes to an hour return. The falls drop into a natural rock bowl surrounded by steep canyon walls — impressive year-round but most dramatic in spring snowmelt and after heavy rain. The Arthur's Pass village has a DOC visitor centre, café, and accommodation, making it a natural overnight stop on the SH73 route between Christchurch and the West Coast. Cave Stream (covered in our caves guide) is about 15 minutes east on the same highway.
Purakaunui Falls, The Catlins
Purakaunui Falls in the Catlins coastal forest is one of New Zealand's most photographed waterfalls — a wide three-tier limestone cascade surrounded by native podocarp forest, with a viewing platform that frames the falls perfectly from above. The falls are relatively modest in height but exceptionally photogenic. The short walk through mature rimu and matai forest is itself worthwhile. The Catlins is a quiet coastal region between Balclutha and Invercargill on the southern South Island, off the main tourist circuit — visitors who make the detour find sea lions on beaches, rare Hector's dolphins in the bays, and very few other tourists.
What to Bring and Safety
Most waterfall walks in New Zealand are short (under 2 hours) and well-formed, requiring only comfortable walking shoes and a light rain jacket. Longer treks such as the approach to Sutherland Falls require tramping boots, layered clothing, and the standard multi-day track preparation. For slippery paths near waterfalls: wet rock near spray zones is extremely slippery — stay behind barriers and on designated tracks. Do not stand under or too close to falls where rock falls are possible from above.
River crossings near falls can be dangerous in high water. Do not attempt to ford streams swollen by recent rain. New Zealand rivers can rise fast — always carry a way to monitor weather upstream if you are in a backcountry area. Check the DOC website and local conditions before any multi-day waterfall trek.
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Browse Waterfall Tours →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tallest waterfall in New Zealand?
Sutherland Falls in Fiordland drops approximately 580 metres in three tiers and is among the tallest waterfalls in New Zealand. However, several remote fiord waterfalls — particularly in the Doubtful Sound area — may have total drops of comparable or greater height; they are rarely measured. Wairere Falls (approximately 153m) is the tallest waterfall readily accessible on the North Island.
Which New Zealand waterfall can I see from the road?
Thunder Creek Falls on the Haast Pass highway (SH6) is visible directly from the roadside car park — no walking required. Marokopa Falls near Waitomo is a 5-minute walk. Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls at Milford Sound are best seen by cruise boat. Humboldt Falls near the Milford Highway requires a 10-minute walk. Huka Falls near Taupō is a 5-minute walk from the car park.
Are there waterfalls near Queenstown?
The Queenstown area has some accessible waterfalls but is better known for lakes and mountains. The closest significant falls are the Humboldt Falls in Fiordland (accessible on a day trip from Queenstown via Te Anau) and the falls in the Milford Sound area. The Arrow River near Arrowtown has small cascades. For bigger waterfall experiences, Queenstown visitors typically include Milford Sound in their itinerary — see our Milford Sound tours from Queenstown guide.