Waitakere Falls

 

Waitakere Falls

The highest waterfall in Auckland Region, Waitakere Falls is located in the northern part of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. Unfortunately, the waterfall does not receive the attention it deserves.

Driving and walking conditions

GPS of the view point: S 36° 53.770' E 174° 31.985'
Parking: Scenic Dr, Henderson Valley, Auckland
Vehicle type: All vehicle types Track type: Walking track
Road type: Sealed Return track duration: 1hr 20min

Waterfall parameters

Waterfall height: 95m Type of the waterfall: Horsetail

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐⭐
GPS:          S 36° 53.770' E 174° 31.985'
Parking:     Scenic Dr, Henderson Valley, Auckland
Access:     1hr 20min return walk


Walking and driving instructions

 

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

You have two options to approach a 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 car park, on your left if you choose the first option, is located on Scenic Drive and has a sign ‘Waitakere Dam Walk’. There are no facilities there (no toilets).

A relatively easy 30-minutes Waitakere Dam Walk leads to the Waitakere Dam (Perfect place for a picnic with heaps of benches and nice view. A long-drop toilet is available near the Dam). From the Dam follow Waitakere Tramline Walk(you can find the entrance along the Waitakere Dam Walk, on the right, a minute before reaching the Dam) for 5-15 minutes and admit the beauty of the waterfall from a distance. The best view is just before the tunnel entrance, or 2-minutes walk past Kelly Stream Waterfall. Unfortunately, a closer approach is not possible. Return via the same track.

The top of the fall is reachable as well. Walk down the stairs which you will find near the Dam (you can see these stairs from the Dam), then almost at the end turn right and descend to a bridge that goes over the falls. It's a nice spot for a picnic. Total walk is 5-10 minutes (return).

You have two more options to approach the waterfall:

  • Combine a walking Cascade Track and a tramping Fence Line Track (roughly 2.5-3h return from Falls Rd);
  • Combine a tramping Anderson Track and Waitakere Tramline Walk (roughly 2.5-3h return from Scenic Dr).

However, if you don't want or can't walk such a long track, you still have a chance to see the waterfall. Head north on Scenic Drive until you reach Pukematekeo Lookout carpark, on your left. Leave your car there and walk up the hill (1-2 minutes) - you will see Waitakere Falls from a distance.


Waterfalls nearby

Kelly Stream Waterfall

Rating:       ⭐
Access:     1hr 20min return walk
Driving:   1 m (1 min)

Read more ...

Fairy Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Access:     1hr 10min return walk
Driving:   2.3 km (3 mins)

Read more ...

The Cascades Falls

Rating:       ⭐
Access:     40min return walk
Driving:   7.1 km (10 mins)

Read more ...

Nihotupu Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐
Access:     40min return walk
Driving:   8.6 km (10 mins)

Read more ...

Mokoroa Falls

Rating:       ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Access:     1hr 15min return walk
Driving:   15.6 km (20 mins)

Read more ...

 


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