Waterfall Record

This is a portion of a waterfall with a rainbow.

The Waterfall Record

Taranaki Falls, New Zealand

Taranaki Falls is a 66 foot / 20 meter tall waterfall found in Tongariro National Park on New Zealand's North Island. It is surrounded by beautiful rock walls.
Taranaki Falls in December 2024

Quick Facts

Accessibility: 7/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 66′ / 20 m
Length of Hike: 3.7 miles / 6 km round-trip

The Record

Set against the dramatic volcanic backdrop of New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park, the Taranaki Falls Track offers a fantastic hiking experience with a spectacular payoff. Starting conveniently near the park’s visitor center, this moderate loop trail covers just under four miles of varied and otherworldly terrain. The waterfall itself is a 66-foot plunge that feels like a hidden oasis in the starkly beautiful landscape.

Embarking on the loop, the first half of the hike feels surprisingly long as it meanders through grasslands and low scrub, with the great volcanoes of the park looming in the distance. As we walked, the relatively small stream we were following made us wonder if the waterfall would have much water. The trail’s unique approach adds to the suspense. You arrive not at the base, but at the very crest of the waterfall, where the river simply vanishes over a sharp cliff edge.

After peering over the top, the track guides you downhill to the base of the falls. It’s only then that you get to appreciate the full view of this truly amazing waterfall, as it plunges into a boulder-lined pool below. The sight is a perfect reward for the hike. To complete the loop, we continued along the upper, northern portion of the track, which felt like a less complicated and more straightforward walk back. While not an overly difficult hike, Taranaki Falls is a thoroughly rewarding adventure that showcases the diverse beauty of Tongariro National Park.

Directions

  1. We stayed in National Park/Waimarino. From the intersection of NZ-4 and NZ-47, head east along NZ-47 for 9 kilometers.
  2. If headed east, turn right onto NZ-48 heading into Tongariro National Park.
  3. The trailhead is near the Skotel Alpine Resort. Parking is available there and at other locations nearby. People may park further away, but they’re likely doing other treks.
  4. Google Maps helped make sure we were headed in the correct direction.

Where in the World is Taranaki Falls?

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