Waterworks Waterfalls are roughly a 1hr 25minutes' drive away from Auckland City (no traffic), or just 25-minutes from Hamilton. The road surface is always sealed.

From Auckland head south on the SH-1. In Taupiri on the round-about turn right onto Great S Rd and stay on it for the next 7km (until you reach Ngaruawahia). In Ngaruawahia turn right onto Waingaro Rd, cross the Waipa River, then immediately past the bridge turn right onto Hakarimata Rd. The car park is on your left, 100m from begging of the road. The car park has a few spaces (20-ish), toilets and drinking water tap.

You will see the Reserve entrance from the parking (next to childcare). From the park entrance a well-formed and maintained Waterworks Walk leads you to Reservoir. Initially, it’s a gentle uphill walk, then the track follows the Mangarata Stream and has lots of stream crossings (all bridged). In 15-25 minutes you will reach to lower waterfall which is about 4-5m tall.

From here a set of stairs brings you to the middle waterfall (quite difficult to photograph) and then to the reservoir. Walk to the far end of the reservoir where you will find the stream. Walk along this stream for 1 minute (stream crossings, but can be done with dry shoes) to reach the upper waterfall. The upper waterfall is a hidden gem, it’s about 5m tall, and it’s the most beautiful of these 3 waterfalls on the stream.

Return via the same route (total walking time 50-60min), or continue on to the track which brings you to the Summit Viewtower (total walking time 2.5-3hrs), or if you organize a transport, you can continue the walk to Waingaro Rd (4hrs one way).