Whangārei Falls is located about a 10-minute drive from Whangārei’s city centre, or approximately 2.5 hours from Auckland, with sealed roads the entire way.

Once you reach Whangārei, simply follow the signs for ‘Whangārei Falls’ to reach the car park on Boundary Road. The area is well-maintained, likely by the local council, and features public toilets and a pleasant picnic area with a few tables.

A short, easy path—suitable for all abilities—leads to the upper viewing platform, just a 2-minute walk from the car park.

To access the base of the falls, cross the river via a concrete bridge and continue along the track. Shortly after crossing, you’ll come to another upper lookout—don’t miss the chance to enjoy the view from here as well. From that point, it takes around 5 minutes to reach the bottom of the falls, with another 5 minutes to return to the car park using the same path. Alternatively, you can complete a 30-minute loop track, which includes stairs and is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers.

Keep in mind that during dry summer periods, the water flow at Whangārei Falls can be significantly reduced. If there hasn’t been much rainfall in recent weeks, the falls may be less impressive than usual.