Nothing is more soothing, relaxing and mesmerising than gazing upon a magnificent waterfall. Luckily, the City of Sails has a number of spectacular waterfalls, all within about an hour’s drive of the CBD (where you can pick up your Auckland car rental!).
We thought we’d pick and select our favourite 11 Auckland waterfalls so you can go chasing a few down while you’re here!
1. Fairy Falls
Our first Auckland waterfall is the beautifully named Fairy Falls in the Waitakere Ranges. The Fairy Falls are made up of a series of small upper waterfalls that gently flow into a larger waterfall at the bottom. The walk from the carpark takes around 40 minutes through some wonderful native bush. The track is well maintained and includes wooden boardwalks and staircases. There are a number of stream crossings to negotiate (all very manageable) and you can also go for a dip at the base of the waterfall too.
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2. Hunua Falls
South of Auckland in the suburb of Clevedon you’ll find the Hunua Ranges Regional Park, home to the exquisite Hunua Falls. This 30 metre waterfall is not only one of the most popular in Auckland but one of the most-loved in New Zealand as well. The falls are very easy on the eye with the rugged exposed rock and the greenery of the bush that surrounds it. The Regional Park itself is great too with a number of walks to do including one that takes you to the impressive Cosseys Reservoir.
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3. Karamatura Falls
Auckland’s West Coast is home to a number of great waterfalls (as you’ll soon discover) and a great example is Karamatura Falls. Found in the heart of the Huia Regional Park, the Karamatura Falls is an idyllic waterfall reached via a peaceful and secluded track. The track itself is about a 90 minute return journey and has some challenging terrain making it a favourite of local and visiting hikers. There are a couple of lovely streams along the way and a few rocks to perch upon too.
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4. Karekare Falls
Not far from Karamatura Falls is Karekare Falls, a 25 metre waterfall that boasts a picturesque cascading stream of water down its rough rock wall. The nearby beach and village of Karekare are famous for being filming locations for Jane Campion’s masterpiece, ‘The Piano’ which won 3 Academy Awards in 1994. The Falls have the same movie-quality look and feel to them and are extremely accessible as well, only a few minutes from the carpark.
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5. Kitekite Falls
Kitekite Falls is a short distance from one of the most well-known beaches in New Zealand, the black sanded Piha Beach. The falls are just as big an attraction as the beach itself and most people do their best to fit both into their schedules when they can. Kitekite Falls is a multi-step waterfall with a couple of pools at different levels that you can relax in as well as the large one at the bottom. The walk there is just as beautiful and takes around 30 minutes to get to.
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6. Lucas Creek Waterfalls
Creeks feed a number of great waterfalls in Auckland and the first to feature on our list is Lucas Creek Waterfalls in Albany. The waterfall is a bit of a hidden treasure and while it isn’t the biggest waterfall in the city, the step-like structure of the falls really make it stand out, especially after a bit of rain. For all those budding photographers, it’s a great one to shoot with your camera set on a long exposure.
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7. Mokoroa Falls
Another great waterfall on the West Coast which really comes to life after a bit of rain is Mokoroa Falls, found between Muriwai and Bethells Beach. It can be seen via the Mokoroa Falls Track, a short 45 minutes stroll each way. The falls are actually very close to another, the Houheria Stream Falls, which can be seen from the wooden platform when you get there. For the adventurous, there’s also a 4 – 5 hour long walk via the Mokoroa Stream Track and the Goldie Bush Walkway.
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8. Oakley Creek Falls
There are also a few nice waterfalls closer to the inner city like the one at Oakley Creek. Found in the lovely suburb of Waterview, the Oakley Creek Walkway is a crisp, well-maintained track through beautiful greenery that will make you forget you’re near the city. The path follows alongside the fast-flowing creek with a few bridges to cross until you get to the 6 metre high falls which are more impressive than you might think. A popular walkway for the locals who’ll always say “hello” as you pass by.
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9. Omeru Falls
Omeru Falls in the Omeru Pā Scenic Reserve northwest of Auckland gives visitors a chance to see two waterfalls in one visit. The Omeru Falls is, of course, the first and is less than a 10 minute walk from the carpark. During the summer it can get quite popular as the base of the waterfall serves as a great swimming hole. The other waterfall in the reserve is Waitangi Falls, which is another 20 minutes along the track. As a bonus, there’s also a cascading stream to set your eyes upon as well.
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10. Te Maketu Waterfall
About 30 minutes south of the Auckland CBD down State Highway 1, you’ll find Te Maketu Waterfall in the unlikely location of an old cemetery. There’s lots of history here with some interesting old gravestones to see before you get to the waterfall itself. The falls are quite thin and modest but contrast well against the bold bare rocks around them. Another one that makes for a great swimming spot in the Summer.
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11. Waitakere Falls
Last but not least, the highest waterfalls in the Auckland region is Waitakere Falls in the Waitakere Ranges. What’s so impressive about seeing the Waitakere Falls, other than its height at 95 metres, is the backdrop of the immense Waitakere Dam behind it. The Waitakere Dam Walk is, in fact, what you follow to see it, connecting to the Waitakere Tramline Walk offering amazing views from a distance. There are a number of great spots to drop a picnic for the family too.
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Some Great Auckland Waterfalls To See!
As you can see, there are some great waterfalls in Auckland to visit and discover. Not only do they offer the tranquillity and peace but some fantastic Instagram opportunities to show off to your family and friends as well!
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