Mahuia Rapids, New Zealand

Quick Facts

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Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 10′ / 3 m
Length of Hike: Roadside

The Record

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Tongariro National Park in New Zealand is a stunning park. Three active volcanic mountains are centered in the park, and that leads to some beautiful geology. In the area around Whakapapa Village, Taranaki Falls and Tawhai Falls are the two larger waterfalls. There are other waterfalls in the park, but these two are clustered together.

These peaks are tall enough that they receive snowfall, with winter activities like skiing present in the park. Once that snow starts melting in spring, the water starts flowing, at least at higher levels! Not far from the other two falls, you can find Mahuia Rapids off the main road, NZ-47. It might be the easiest of the three to visit (being the smallest of the three), but the area where you can pull off to view the rapids is not exactly a parking area, but more of a dirt strip that makes it difficult to see vehicles coming in certain directions. The dirt strip isn’t visible if you’re heading west, but is “clearer” heading east. If you miss these rapids, which is possible, I don’t know if I would backtrack to see them.

Directions

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1. From Waimarino (previously National Park), head east on NZ-47 (Volcanic Loop Highway) for 11 kilometers. You’ll pass NZ-48, which leads into the park and the other falls.
2. You’ll cross a bridge that spans the river and falls, and on the right, there is the dirt strip past the bridge. Park there, but be careful crossing lanes of traffic and pulling back onto the road. The roads weren’t wildly busy when we visited.

Where in the World is Mahuia Rapids?

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