Fairy Falls

 

Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls is located in the central part of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and consists of significant lower falls (the main photo) and a series of shorter upper waterfalls. Among the locals, it’s one of the most popular waterfalls in Auckland Region.

Driving and walking conditions

GPS of the view point: S 36° 54' 50.4966" E 174° 33' 22.1256"
Parking: Scenic Dr, Henderson Valley, Auckland
Vehicle type: All vehicle types Track type: Walking track
Road type: Sealed Return track duration: 1hr 10min

Waterfall parameters

Waterfall height: 15m Type of the waterfall: Cascade

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐⭐
GPS:          S 36° 54' 50.4966" E 174° 33' 22.1256"
Parking:     Scenic Dr, Henderson Valley, Auckland
Access:     1hr 10min return walk


Walking and driving instructions

 

This track is closed due to damage from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Fairy Falls is roughly a 40 minutes’ drive away from Auckland City. The road surface is always sealed.

You have two options to approach the car park: either follow the road which leads to Piha and turn right into Scenic Drive, or follow the road which leads to Bethells Beach and turn left into Scenic Drive. The carpark is found along Scenic Drive, and it's well signposted. There are no facilities there (no toilets).

From the car park, cross the main road to start a walking Fairy Falls Track. The first part of the track is an easy and enjoyable walk through a bush. The second part consists of a set of stairs which starts from the top of the upper waterfall and lasts to the base of the lower falls. The walk from the car park to the lower falls’ base will take 20 to 45 minutes (the official sign says ’45 minutes’, but it's true if you walk really SLOW).

If you’ve got kids, they will be well rewarded by an excellent spot for playing with other children at the lower falls pool.

From here, you can continue on to the walk for 45 more minutes and finish the track on Mountain Rd (return to Scenic Drive via Old Coach Road Track), or return back via the same track. Due to the stairs, the walk back will take longer than the walk to the waterfall – expect anything between 40 to 60 minutes to return from the base of the lower waterfall to the Scenic Drive car park.

There is one more, less popular, option available to discover these waterfalls: when you drive along Scenic Drive, turn into Mountain Rd where you find a small car park. Leave your car there and follow Fairy Falls Track for 30-45 minutes (the official sign says ’45 minutes’). The first part of the track descends through the bush. The second part of the track follows the stream (require a couple of stream’s crossings which could be a wet-foot after rain) until it meets the base of the lower waterfall. From here, you can climb the stairs to see the upper waterfalls, or return via the same track.


Waterfalls nearby

Waitakere Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Access:     1hr 20min return walk
Driving:   2.3 km (3 mins)

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Kelly Stream Waterfall

Rating:       ⭐
Access:     1hr 20min return walk
Driving:   2.3 km (3 mins)

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Nihotupu Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐
Access:     40min return walk
Driving:   6.3 km (8 mins)

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The Cascades Falls

Rating:       ⭐
Access:     40min return walk
Driving:   9.4 km (13 mins)

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Mokoroa Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Access:     1hr 15min return walk
Driving:   17.9 km (23 mins)

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