Purakaunui Falls Walk
Catlins
44 Rankers Reviews
37 Face-to-Face
10 Owaka
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
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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Photos
Information
The Pūrākaunui Falls is one of Otago’s iconic, most-photographed sights. The track through mature forest is suitable for wheelchair users to the top viewing platform.
These much photographed falls split into many minor cascades over two tiers. The wide bluff is framed with vegetation , making a picturesque setting.
Access
10 km east of Maclennan, Purakanui Falls are signposted to the right along Waikoata Valley Road (unsealed). After 4 km turn left into Purakanui Falls Road and the start of the track is 200 metres further on, opposite a large parking bay with toilets and picnic benches.
Track
The metalled track weaves through a mixed forest of silver beech and podocarps, with some species highlighted by labels.
A lookout above the falls doesn’t really do them justice. It’s only when you descend to the viewing platform at stream level that they come into their own.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Central government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka |
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Categories |
Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 41.
Rebecka
Ranking: 10/10
Easy walk and very nice fall!
Nicole and Timm
Ranking: 10/10
Probably the most beautiful waterfall we have seen in the South Island. Nice and easy to walk there.
Maarten
Ranking: 6/10
Nice, but we have seen a lot of waterfalls in our time in New Zealand and this one is far from the best.
Anna
Ranking: 6/10
Gorgeous waterfalls with different tiers. A nice short walk to a viewpoint.
Thank You - to the thousands of travellers that have contributed to our Top Voted NZ Activities Map - it's free from Rankers.
Anthony Terry
Ranking: 9/10
The perfect place to enjoy a picnic. Fab views!
Flo
Ranking: 10/10
Impressive falls and great little walk within the forest. You arrive very close to the falls. Worth it!
Elien Dauwe
Ranking: 9/10
We visited a number of waterfalls whilst driving through the beautiful Catlins area. Short walks to the stunning waterfalls, lovely area to drive through.
Simon Dauwe
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful lookout points, waterfalls and walks!
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Alan Brown
Ranking: 9/10
A short walk through forest in a scenic reserve which is absolutely magical. The vegetation is wonderful with lots of ferns and tree ferns, and even on a wet day were entranced. well worth a stop - it will only take less than half an hour.
Franco Panizza
Ranking: 10/10
An amazing spot to see - amazing sunset.
Sabine
Ranking: 10/10
Such a nice walk through the rainforest and the waterfall was just stunning.
Patrick
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful.
CMG
Ranking: 7/10
Expected to be impressed, but the falls were just average, and the water was quite muddy. Not very pretty or picturesque when we visited. On the other hand, McLean Falls were utterly magical! Like stepping back in time…
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
