My absolute favorite waterfall on the whole North Island, seriously, do not miss this place! But before you go, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. You’ll need to grab a permit from the Kawerau Visitor Centre for $10 per vehicle, and you can only visit on weekends and public holidays. The falls are located on land that is sacred to local iwi (tribes), so it’s important to be respectful when visiting.

The drive there is mostly on a gravel road, and I won’t lie, it feels like it goes on forever, so just be ready for that ahah. The reason you can’t visit during the week is that the road passes through an active forestry area, and logging trucks make it unsafe for public access.

From the carpark, it’s an easy 700-meter walk along the Tarawera River to the main lookout. The water here is insanely vibrant and blue, making the whole place feel like something out of a fantasy. If you’re up for a longer walk, you can continue on the trail to Lake Tarawera, which is just under 5km one way. Or, you can just soak in the views at the falls and head back. Either way, this place is pure magic and so well preserved, please respect its raw beauty and leave no trace.