36 Rankers Reviews
30 Face-to-Face
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!
FREE MAP - The best of 21 nature guidebooks on one map.
Early resident of Whangarei used to visit the 26-m falls for a picnic, a pastime that is still popular today.
When the water level is low, a concrete track over the river at the top of the falls is exposed. This enables the loop to be completed. If the concrete is covered by water then the river level is too high and you must return by the same track.
From Whangarei follow Bank Street and Mill Road to Tikipunga and turn right into Kiripaka Road. The falls are signposted 500 metres further on the right.
There are toilets and a picnic area by the carpark.
The metalled track snakes from the viewing platforms at the top of the falls, through native forest to a footbridge over the Hatea River at the base of the falls. A climb to the eastern side of the river leads to another viewing platform.
When the water level is low, a concrete track over the river at the top of the falls is exposed. This enables the loop to be completed. If the concrete is covered by water then the river level is too high and you must return by the same track.
The Whangarei Falls are 26-metres-high and cascade in a frothing maelstrom over a solidified basalt lava flow, thought to be around 2.5 million years old.
This park is named after A H Reed, a well-known New Zealand author, publisher and long distance walker. The site of his parents homestead is on the opposite side of Clapham Road from the upper car park. A H Reed was a significant player in protecting the falls from quarrying and retaining the kauri trees in the forest.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei |
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Showing 13 reviews of 33.
C J B
Ranking: 8/10
Nice area, don't swim: new signage encourages you away from toxic bird effluent. Otherwise a grand view from bridge and picnic area, makes a great screensaver.
24 hour toilet and limited self-contained camping.
Marc Reuter
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful waterfall where you can also swim, if you are brave - the water is quite cold. The walk to go here is great as well. Lots of forest and a river.
Marc Perales
Ranking: 9/10
Amazing waterfalls, walk down the river to the native bush canopy bridge!
Hannah Stiles
Ranking: 10/10
One of our first walks in New Zealand. We would not change a thing here!
Each camping location is approved by a regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
Rahel Baufeld
Ranking: 8/10
A lot of helpful information, bit muddy in some spots but nice and peaceful.
Jamie Serieux
Ranking: 8/10
Impressive and well organised walk although signs were occasionally a bit sketchy.
Luisa Birkel
Ranking: 7/10
Not that interesting but a nice spot for chilling and relaxing!
Emily Pohlmann
Ranking: 7/10
Nice spot, nice animals.
Alex Schott
Ranking: 9/10
Great waterfall. Crazy guys were jumping from a tree down in the water.
Thea Nicholas
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful walk - around 7km from the city. You can have a nice swim (cold) by the falls.
Julien Sene
Ranking: 7/10
You don't have to walk to see the falls but a few minutes to go on to the bottom. Lovely place but it could be overcrowded sometimes!
Levi
Ranking: 8/10
Walk from town was long and a bit rainy but great. Despite the section you have to walk on the road, I could not fault it.
Daniel Roedel
Ranking: 8/10
This waterfall is so cool! There is a great walk through the jungle directly next to the river and at the end comes the waterfall.