Tawhai Falls is a 13-meter waterfall near Whakapapa Village, and it deserves a place on everyone's Tongariro National Park itinerary.

The 10-15 minute walking trail to the falls is easy to follow. While the waterfall is beautiful in its own right, it’s also the filming location of Gollum’s pool where Faramir and his archers watch him fish! However, you don’t need to be a LoTR fan to enjoy your time here.

I’ve seen a lot of blogs say that it's a "hidden gem", but you’ll find it in just about every travel blog or LOTR location guide. However, that doesn’t make it any less worth the visit! Tawhai Falls was one of the first places I visited in Tongariro National Park by myself (this photo!), and although I haven’t visited in a while, I’d recommend it to anyone who wants an easy walk with a big reward.