This is probably one of the most popular and worthwhile road trip stops if you’re driving between Wanaka and the West Coast! Thunder Creek Falls is a 96m waterfall that drops straight into the Haast River river in Mount Aspiring National Park.

The falls are in Mount Aspiring National Park, off the Haast Highway. You can actually spot the top of the falls from the road if you're heading toward Wānaka, but it’s definitely worth pulling over to see it properly. It only takes 10 minutes to reach Thunder Creek Falls from the carpark, and it will take you through native bush to a viewpoint where you’ll get stunning views of the falls.

How to get there

Thunder Creek Falls is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Wānaka or 30 minutes from Haast.  There's no public transport here, so you’ll need your own car or campervan. Drive north of Wānaka into Mount Aspiring National Park, and you’ll find the carpark signposted on the side of State Highway 6.