Tupapakura Falls

A gentle, family-friendly walk leads to the Mt Taranaki lookout, accompanied by birdsong. (approx 25 minutes). On a clear day, Mt Taranaki is visible in the distance, with Mt Ruapehu behind. 

From here, the walk becomes a well-maintained tramping track, suitable for persons with reasonable fitness, climbing briefly before descending a ridge and arriving at the waterfall lookout after an hour.

Beyond this point, the track is not maintained by DOC or the local community members.

To the bluff is a well-defined 5-minute walk and offers incredible views over the tree tops and the valley below as you gaze to Mt Taranaki in the distance. From here, a route descends the bluff to the left before emerging at the river that can be followed to the base of the falls. Suitable for that experienced trampers only.

If you feel fit, grab a bucket or two of gravel at the trailhead and deliver it to one of the bucket depots, spaced at 200m intervals to assist with the track maintenance.

NOTE: This is a Kiwi area, dogs are by permit only, and bikes are not permitted.

There are no toilet facilities on this track. The closest is beside the National Park train Station, a perfect place to end your walk.

Wildlife: 1
Scenic: 1
History / Points of Interest: 1
Quiet / Relaxed: 1
Visit again: 1
Smiles per Hour rating: 5

Getting there:

The track entrance is 2km along Fisher Rd. A small car park is located on the right, 50m before the track entrance. Alternatively, Fisher Rd provides a scenic walk from the National Park train station, 500m away.