It’s caused by the Waikato River, normally 100m wide, being forced to narrow to just 15m wide as it passes through a hard volcanic canyon. This increases the flow pressure immensely, causing the water to burst out with great force as the gorge ends.
Huka Falls Taupo
You’ll hear the Huka Falls well before you see them – it’s the sound of nearly a quarter of a million litres of water per second erupting from a natural gorge and thundering 11m into the Waikato River below. This incredible waterfall is the most-visited natural attraction in New Zealand – it’s hard to tear your gaze away from the endless, mesmerising torrent.
You can take a jet boat trip or river cruise up to the crystal-blue pool at the base of the falls until you can feel the spray on your face.
Pack a picnic and spend half a day exploring the walking and biking trails in the area on foot or by mountain bike, from five minutes to two hours in length.
Things to do: Huka Falls Taupo
Getting to Huka Falls
Huka Falls is five minutes’ drive by car or bus from Taupo town centre, along a beautiful forest-clad road that passes the world-famous luxury resort, Huka Lodge. If you’re feeling energetic, you can walk back to town after your visit along the Huka Falls to Spa Thermal Park track.
Huka Falls, Taupo, New Zealand
Discover more highlights...
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Lake Taupo
At the heart of New Zealand’s central volcanic plateau sits the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, Lake Taupo.
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Waikato River
Born on the eastern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, the longest river in New Zealand drains Lake Taupo through Taupo town, blasts through a narrow rock chasm to create the Huka Falls, then winds more peacefully northwards towards Port Waikato, south of Auckland.
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Tongariro River
Flowing north from the snow-clad peaks of Tongariro National Park, through the picturesque town of Tūrangi, the pristine Tongariro River is one of the world’s best places to catch trout.
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Geothermal
Lying on a volcanic plateau above a vast underground lake of magma, Taupo is alive with astonishing geothermal activity.
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