Karekare Falls completely blew me away. I arrived at about 9:20 am and was so shocked to have it all to myself! The earlier you get there, the better, it’ll be less busy, and you’ll easily snag a car park. The later you arrive, the harder it gets to find one.

The trail to the falls is super short, only about 100 meters (a 5-minute walk). To start, head up the left side of the road until you find the Karekare Falls sign—just be careful as the road is a bit steep. What’s cool is that you can actually see the falls right from the start of the trail, making for an amazing shot of the lush rainforest and waterfall. Along the way, you’ll pass the Opal Pool Stream Cascade, an adorable little pool that’s perfect for a dip (see the 5th photo).

The falls themselves are 30 meters high and incredibly picturesque. The vibrant turquoise water is just stunning and adds to the overall beauty of the place.

Fun fact, these falls are locally known as Te Ahoaho by the Te Kawerau ā Maki tribe, Karekare Falls has also made appearances in popular culture, including TV shows like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. 

It’s an amazing spot for a nature fix, and if you’re brave enough, an icy swim too!