Waterfall · Whakapapa Village

Taranaki Falls

A 20 m waterfall plunging over the edge of a 15,000-year-old lava flow.

The Wairere Stream drops 20 metres over the lip of an ancient andesite lava flow from Ruapehu into a boulder-ringed pool. The lower track approaches through beech forest and the Wairere gorge, the upper track crosses open tussock with views to Ngāuruhoe and Ruapehu. Together they form the park’s classic two-hour loop.

❄ Snow settles on the upper track a few times each winter; the loop is usually walkable year-round with care on icy boardwalks.