Pukekura Falls

 

Pukekura Falls

Pukekura Falls is the only waterfall within New Plymouth City area, famous because was visited by the Royal Couple - the Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1953.

Driving and walking conditions

GPS of the view point: S 39° 03.879'  E 174° 04.696'
Parking: Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Vehicle type: All vehicle types Track type: Easy walking track
Road type: Sealed Return track duration: 10min

Waterfall parameters

Waterfall height: 12m Type of the waterfall: Tiered

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐
GPS:          S 39° 03.879'  E 174° 04.696'
Parking:     Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Access:     10min return walk


Walking and driving instructions

 

Pukekura Falls is roughly a 5 minutes drive away from New Plymouth City Centre. The road surface is always sealed.

There are at least 3 options to park your car at Pukekura Park. We recommend you the closest one to waterfall: from the SH-45 turn left into Liardet St and follow it until you reach the main park entrance. Here you can safely leave your car, or, if car park is full you can park you can on the street. Toilets and picnic tables are available nearby.

Follow the walk which leads to the lake or to 'Tea House' or follow signs 'Waterfall'. As soon as you reach the lake you'll see the waterfall. Most likely the waterfall is not a natural one. It was ennobled by hand before the visit of the young Queen Elizabeth and her dashing husband, Prince Philip, to New Zealand in the summer of 1954; and now there is a pump which makes the waterfall alive. If the water is not flowing, just wait for a couple of minutes.

The best time to visit this waterfall is the 'New Year time' - Festival of Lights (usually mid Dec to the end of Jan) when the waterfall is highlighted by different lights (of course, it's an evening time attraction).

 


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