Waterfalls allow for incredible viewing, leaving us gazing in awe and reaching for the camera.
We’re lucky to have some true beauties nestled among striking boulders, snow-capped peaks and luscious bush easily accessible by foot. Here are 12 of our favourites.
Taranaki Falls can be discovered in the Tongariro National Park. The waterfall is an amazing 2 hour return walk through the beech forest. Photo by @jencpics(opens in new window) on Instagram.
Owharoa Falls are a couple of kilometres' drive away from popular Karangahake Gorge. The waterfall is a great stop on the Hauraki Rail Trail or the historic walkway. Photo by @flubbit(opens in new window) on Instagram.
Situated to the North of Whangārei city, spectacular Whangārei Falls is a 26m high waterfall surrounded by park, native New Zealand bush and walkways. This a great stop on a drive from Auckland to Northland. Photo by @chasingjulia on Instagram.
One best waterfall in Southland, McLean Falls is a bridal veil-like cascade over dark mossy rocks, the falls plummet more than 20 metres into a deep gorge. Photo by @sam.robinson.nz(opens in new window) on Instagram.
Marokopa Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in New Zealand. This year-round 30m waterfall is easily accessible, with an easy 20 minute return walk passes through native tawa and nikau forest to reach the viewing platform for the falls. The falls a few kilometres' drive away from the popular Waitomo Caves. Photo by @emilient on Instagram.
Devils Punchbowl Falls (131m) can be found in the heart of Arthur's Pass National Park. A walk to the base of the waterfall is well worth doing in any weather, any time of the year. Walking track 1hr return. Photo by @stephens_photos_nz(opens in new window) on Instagram.
The Kitekite Falls are one of the most famous waterfalls in the Waitākere Ranges with 40 metres of cascades into a large lake-like pool at the bottom. This spectacular waterfall is reached after a more or less easy 45 minutes walk near Piha Beach in Auckland. Photo by @em_k90 on Instagram.
Purakaunui Falls is located in the Catlins Forest Park. A 10 minute walk from the carpark, on an excellent track, brings you to the best known of the Catlins forest waterfalls, located in a small reserve of mixed podocarp and beech forest. It is an easy walk through beech forest to the waterfall's lookout. Photo by @verliebt_in(opens in new window) on Instagram.
Located in Mt Aspiring National Park, Thunder Creek Falls is a 96-metre waterfall. Located along the Haast highway, it is a must-stop before heading to the West Coast glaciers or Wānaka. Photo by @tamzin.nz(opens in new window) on Instagram.
Only 15 minutes’ drive from Raglan, the spectacular 55-metre-high Bridal Veil Falls, also known as the Waireinga Falls is a popular Waikato walking track. You can get great views from platforms near the top of the falls. Photo by @outandaboutnz(opens in new window) on Instagram.
One of the must-see New Zealand Waterfalls, Bowen Falls is the highest (161m) and the most powerful permanent waterfall in Milford Sound. You can view this spectacular waterfall on a cruise of Milford Sound or a scenic flight. Photo by @rayqui5 on Instagram.
Turquoise-coloured Huka Falls is located 10 minutes drive from Lake Taupō. The waterfall is one of the most visited natural attractions in New Zealand. At Huka Falls you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydro power - more than 220, 000 litres of water per second. Photo by @hannah.lawrance(opens in new window) on Instagram.
Discover more amazing waterfalls of New Zealand here(opens in new window).
