Waiau Falls is roughly a 2.5-3 hours’ drive away from Auckland City (allow more time than Google calculates due to a zig-zag coastal road which is quite slow to drive on) or just 15 minutes from Coromandel Town. The road surface is sealed, apart from the last 7 km which is a gravel road.

From Auckland head south on the SH-1, then turn left into SH-2 and follow it until the intersection with SH-25, then turn right into SH-25 and stay on it for the next 80 km. Last 60 km is a scenic coastal road offering lots of beaches, places for a picnic, a few café and a couple of good kids playgrounds. A few minutes before arrival to Coromandel turn right into gravel 309 Rd (well signposted) and follow it for the next 7 km. A small car park, on your left, has ‘Waiau Falls’ sign. There are no facilities there.

A 2-minutes easy walk, which is suitable for people with all abilities, starts from the carpark and leads to the falls base. Return via the same track. Due to some stairs, the track is not suitable for wheelchairs, but the waterfall is seen from the road (of course, obstructed by trees).

There is a popular swimming spot at the base of the waterfall. So don’t forget a towel.