Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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2 km return | 1 hour return
A 131 metre waterfall thundering from a hanging valley. Evocatively named, these are especially impressive after heavy rain.
The falls are especially impressive after heavy rain.
The start of the track is signposted from the carpark at the top end of the village.
Cross the footbridge over Bealey River then head right at the junction to Punchbowl Bridge.
An elaborate set of staircases navigate the bluff, passing the junction with Aicken Track before descending to the viewing platform at the base of the falls.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Arthur's Pass |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. There may be steps or slopes. Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness. Stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs. |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Glad we stopped for this one.
Must see in New Zealand!!
Seen in all its glory after heavy rain fall!
An hours walk to see the waterfall.
A really good walk as described.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 11 |
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26% |
9/10 | 17 |
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40% |
8/10 | 9 |
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21% |
7/10 | 2 |
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5% |
6/10 | 1 |
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2% |
5/10 | 2 |
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5% |
4/10 | 1 |
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2% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
Seen in all its glory after heavy rain fall!
Worth the climb …. Spectacular view from the top! Beautifully maintained track
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Glad we stopped for this one.
Stunning blue sky day, lots of steps but well worth the efforts. Great walk if you are keen to keep driving further for the day.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.5/5
One hour return walk up to a great waterfall.
Lots of steps so you need rest time and water. Accessible and beautiful waterfall!!
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in March 2017
4.5/5
A beautiful walk up and down through the hills and at the end an incredible and strong waterfall.
Amazing, in the loneliness and a beautiful view!!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Amazing walk to a 131m high waterfall.
Impressive and would have been great to take a shower there.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Must see in New Zealand!!
The walk was not long and the waterfall is just awesome!! Highly recommend it!!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.5/5
It was a really nice track with lots of staircases.
The view of the waterfall was very beautiful.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.0/5
An hours walk to see the waterfall.
Quite a steep walk with steps leading to a viewing platform really close to the waterfall. Nice spot for pictures. Lots of parking and easily signposted from the village.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
3.0/5
Nice walk.
Lots of steps and nice waterfall. Good way to spend some time but do not expect too much of it.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Seen in all its glory after heavy rain fall!
Worth the climb …. Spectacular view from the top! Beautifully maintained track
Reviewed over 1 year ago
5.0/5
Glad we stopped for this one.
Stunning blue sky day, lots of steps but well worth the efforts. Great walk if you are keen to keep driving further for the day.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.5/5
One hour return walk up to a great waterfall.
Lots of steps so you need rest time and water. Accessible and beautiful waterfall!!
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in March 2017
4.5/5
A beautiful walk up and down through the hills and at the end an incredible and strong waterfall.
Amazing, in the loneliness and a beautiful view!!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Amazing walk to a 131m high waterfall.
Impressive and would have been great to take a shower there.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Must see in New Zealand!!
The walk was not long and the waterfall is just awesome!! Highly recommend it!!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.5/5
It was a really nice track with lots of staircases.
The view of the waterfall was very beautiful.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.0/5
An hours walk to see the waterfall.
Quite a steep walk with steps leading to a viewing platform really close to the waterfall. Nice spot for pictures. Lots of parking and easily signposted from the village.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
A really good walk as described.
Pathways, steps etc well maintained and safe to negotiate. Typical good attention to detail as provided with most DOC walks.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
5.0/5
Great hike through the bush and up a lot of steps.
A few beautiful bridge crossings and the waterfall was amazing. Be sure to bring rain gear. It is really wet at Vista Point!
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Small walk, very easy.
Beautiful waterfall!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.0/5
Nice walk.
Lots of steps and nice waterfall. Good way to spend some time but do not expect too much of it.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.5/5
One hour walk to the waterfall, beautiful nature, good views, large waterfall, not too many visitors.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.5/5
Very nice short walk to a waterfall.
Bring your swimsuit with you!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
Nice short walk with a beautiful waterfall at the end.
Take your swimsuit with you! There is a kind of pool right underneath the waterfall.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
A terrific workout - it is all steps - with spectacular scenery to take your mind off tired muscles.
Swimming hole at the top looked great and the falls are spectacular.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
2.5/5
Nice falls but not special compared to others in New Zealand.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.5/5
A nice hike up to a waterfall.
You have to hike up 130m before you get there, but it won't take more than 30 minutes. The waterfall was nice.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
2.0/5
Not so much a walk as a stair climb.
While the return walk time indicated at the start is accurate, those with shorter legs may want warning of the number and height of the steps!
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
2.5/5
Quite a strenuous path, lots of ups and down that is easily accessible via lots of steps.
Not the best view when completed.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
4.5/5
Only 2km return but sensational waterfall at the end.
Watch the water then look at the rocks (they will move). The sunset over the surrounding area is magical.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.0/5
The track is really easy, the view and the waterfall are great to watch.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in December 2013
4.5/5
A beautiful walk to a big waterfall about 60 minutes in total, so nice to walk if you are just passing through.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in December 2013
4.0/5
Spectacular 131 metre high waterfall.
Good views.
Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.0/5
Many stairs, but definitely worth doing it-nice little track.
Reviewed almost 11 years ago
5.0/5
Very beautiful falls.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013