Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall in Arthur's Pass National Park is one of the most popular and spectacular waterfalls on the South Island.

If I'm honest, I don't think you can travel through Arthur's Pass without stopping at the falls. While the sleepy mountain village is beautiful, Devil's Punchbowl is the crown jewel of the area and the reason most people make the journey through this part of Aotearoa.

The falls are accessible via a short walk through native forest which only adds to how beautiful this expereience is. Standing at a towering 131 metres, the waterfall is so loud you’ll hear it before you see it. And when you finally see it, you won’t quite believe it’s real.

Track overview

Difficulty: Easy with some steps

Length: 2km return

Time: 1 hour return, plus time at the falls

The track to Devil's Punchbowl starts from Athur's Pass Village, around halfway between Franz Josef and Christchurch. The track is very well maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC), but there are a few steep sections of stairs. It's nothing too challenging, but I'd recommend wearing good footwear, particularly if there's been rain recently, and being comfortable walking uphill.

You'll start by crossing the Bealey River via a footbridge, followed by another bridge over Devil’s Punchbowl Creek. You'll get a good view of the waterfall here but the best view is further laong the track.

Continue to wander through the beech forest, keeping an eye out for fantails/pīwakawaka. Pīwakawaka is a little bird native to New Zealand. They're roughly the size of a sparrow but have a beautiful fanned-out tail (hence the name!). They like to search for insects in the dirt stirred up by your footsteps, so you're sure to find some following you on your trip. If you're visiting in the winter, you might get lucky and spot a Kea. They're beautiful but notoriously destructive - keep your belongings close!

Once you cross the bridge, you'll climb 150m up a series of steep stairs to a viewing platform at the base of the waterfall. I recommend wearing a rain jacket as there can be quite a lot of spray!

Once you've soaked up the view, return to the village via the same walking track.

How to get there

Devil’s Punchbowl is located in Arthur’s Pass National Park, roughly halfway between Franz Josef and Christchurch. If you're driving from Christchurch, it’s about a two-hour journey west along State Highway 73, winding through breathtaking alpine scenery. It's a slightly longer but equally stunning drive from the West Coast. Arthur’s Pass Village is well-signposted, and there’s plenty of parking available.