Marios Gavalas
Purakaunui Falls
Marios Gavalas
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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1 km return | 20 minutes return
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.
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.
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.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC OtagoCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka |
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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? From 500m to 1km |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins |
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. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? Disabled access provided This location provides access for wheelchairs. as far as the top viewing platform |
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. |
An amazing spot to see - amazing sunset.
Gorgeous waterfalls with different tiers.
Nice little 15 minute walk to the waterfall.
Beautiful lookout points, waterfalls and walks!
Short walk to the falls.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 18 |
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41% |
9/10 | 15 |
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34% |
8/10 | 6 |
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14% |
7/10 | 2 |
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5% |
6/10 | 2 |
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5% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 1 |
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2% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
Probably the most beautiful waterfall we have seen in the South Island.
Nice and easy to walk there.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
3.0/5
Nice, but we have seen a lot of waterfalls in our time in New Zealand and this one is far from the best.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
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.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
The perfect place to enjoy a picnic.
Fab views!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
We visited a number of waterfalls whilst driving through the beautiful Catlins area.
Short walks to the stunning waterfalls, lovely area to drive through.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
Beautiful lookout points, waterfalls and walks!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Impressive falls and great little walk within the forest.
You arrive very close to the falls. Worth it!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
3.5/5
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…
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
5.0/5
Such a nice walk through the rainforest and the waterfall was just stunning.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
An amazing spot to see - amazing sunset.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016
5.0/5
Probably the most beautiful waterfall we have seen in the South Island.
Nice and easy to walk there.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
3.0/5
Nice, but we have seen a lot of waterfalls in our time in New Zealand and this one is far from the best.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
3.0/5
Gorgeous waterfalls with different tiers.
A nice short walk to a viewpoint.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
The perfect place to enjoy a picnic.
Fab views!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Impressive falls and great little walk within the forest.
You arrive very close to the falls. Worth it!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
We visited a number of waterfalls whilst driving through the beautiful Catlins area.
Short walks to the stunning waterfalls, lovely area to drive through.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
Beautiful lookout points, waterfalls and walks!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
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.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
An amazing spot to see - amazing sunset.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016
5.0/5
Such a nice walk through the rainforest and the waterfall was just stunning.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
3.5/5
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…
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
5.0/5
Short walk to the falls.
They are really beautiful, especially when the creek has a lot of water. On the way to the falls you go through a native rainforest. We can recommend it!
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
All the free walks are very nice and very well maintained.
Bridges and walkways are with lots of care and very respectfully built. Toilets at the starting point are always cool and with paper and soap.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
The walk through the bush is really nice especially on a hot day.
The waterfall was not that spectacular on that day but worth the one hour return walk.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Nice experience of forest.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
Really nice forest with two amazing waterfalls!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.5/5
A beautiful temperate rainforest walk to a nice wide waterfall.
I preferred McLean Falls but loved this too.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
Beautiful walk through the rainforest, lots of tree ferns.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Nice little 15 minute walk to the waterfall.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Nice walk in the nature for free and well serviced with facilities.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
These were the most photographic falls I got to see in New Zealand.
It was a nice and peaceful spot and I would recommend everyone to stop there.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Very pleasent small waterfall with short walk in beautiful forest only 8 points because of the bad, unsealed road to get there.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
1.5/5
Alright but not impressive.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
5.0/5
Gorgeous.
Short but beautiful waterfalls. Perfect for photographs! Slow the shuttle speed!
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in November 2014
4.5/5
Nice short, well maintained walk.
But quite loud waterfalls. Go for it.
Reviewed almost 10 years ago