Huka Falls – 2024 Guide To This Famous New Zealand Landmark
Distance: 1.5km
Time: 1hr
Difficulty: Easy
Huka Falls (which means froth and foam) is the largest waterfall along the Waikato River and is one of the most popular natural attractions in all of New Zealand!
This amazing location is popular for jet-boating, helicopter tours, mountain biking, hiking and camping.
Where is Huka Falls?
Located just 5 kilometres north of Taupo, Huka Falls is smack dab in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island. Only 3 hours south of Auckland, it’s a great place for a weekend visit or if you are crazy travellers like us, a fantastic day trip.
Directions / Where to Park?
Click the link to Google Maps for directions to the Huka Falls car park.
The car park has ample spaces available, however, in warmer months it can be very busy.
What to Expect from Huka Falls?
From the moment you open the car door, you can hear the thundering roar of the powerful waterfall.
Not 5 minutes from the car park, you will find yourself on a small bridge in the middle of a channel with a monstrous 220,000 litres/second below your feet.
In fact, the water flow is so powerful that you can feel the bridge shuddering underfoot. And I have to tell you, it is quite an unnerving experience!
But… AMAZING!!!
This incredible phenomenon occurs when the usually 100 metre wide Waikato River is forced through a narrow channel only 15 metres wide, before plunging 11 metres into the wider river once more.
But what fascinated us about this natural hydro flow wasn’t just the roar, but the amazing colour of the water! The crystal clear waters that flow in from Lake Taupo flow a beautiful aqua-green even on a cloudy day. It is mesmerizing!
And the best thing, there is a walk along the channel so you can view the wild water all the way to the waterfall.
So, if you want to see the waterfall at the end of the walk, turn left and follow the wide path.
Along the way, there are little lookouts as well as a great place to capture the bridge behind you.
But… the best view is yet to come.
Continue along the walkway for another 5 minutes until you arrive at THIS!
Welcome to Huka Falls!
The culmination of all that water squeezed into the teeny tiny area explodes out of the channel into the river below causing the river to foam under its weight.
You can understand clearly now where the name Huka (foam and froth) comes from.
But just as quickly as the surge enters the channel, the plunging waters return to the peaceful calm of the wide Waikato River continuing downstream.
From the last lookout, you can see the entire spectacle in full form.
But this is where the main lookout walk ends. So if you are only intending to see the falls, then this is the turn-around point. To return to the car, follow the short walkway back to the bridge.
However, if you enjoy bushwalking, there are many other tracks to explore at Huka Falls.
Just make sure to look at the signs for each path before setting out, as some tracks are more challenging than others.
We began one of the walks to the right of the bridge but only lasted about 500 metres, before we had to abandon our adventure due to the torrential rain. However, what we did see on the walk was stunning.
The walk follows the Waikato River upstream through stunning green bushland, around a large loop track until eventually making its way back to Huka Falls.
The full track is roughly 2 hours long, but you can do as little or as much as you like, as we did.
Important Information
How Long is the Huka Falls Walk?
The walk to Huka Falls is a short 1.5 kilometres and takes roughly 1 hour depending on stopping time.
And there is definitely plenty to see along this track.
What is the Signage and Trail Quality Like?
Huka Falls has excellent signage along all their trails with clearly marked signs to follow where necessary.
The trail is a well-formed dirt track.
However, the only note of caution we have is to be careful along some areas of the track if it’s wet.
There were areas that we thought were rock, but turned out to be clay, and these areas became slippery in the rain.
What is the Track Difficulty?
The main walk to Huka Falls is an easy grade flat path.
Due to the ease of this trail, we recommend it for most fitness levels.
What Should I Wear?
Shoes
We highly recommend closed-in shoes with ankle support for this walk because the track can be slippery when wet.
We suggest hiking boots as they are waterproof and offer great ankle support.
If you are in the market for a good pair of hiking boots, we have researched and come up with the 10 Best Hiking Boots available in Australia in 2024.
But if you don’t have hiking boots, sneakers are ok, as long as they have good grip.
Clothing
We recommend dressing for the appropriate season and making sure to check the weather conditions before leaving your accommodation as Taupo can be quite cold even outside of winter.
What to Bring?
Water, sunscreen, a hat and snacks are recommended for this walk. However, we also have a full list of hiking gear that may better equip you for your hike.
Is This Track Child Friendly?
Yes, the main trail is excellent for families.
However, if you would like to complete one of the longer trails, just check the difficulty level before setting out with small kids.
Is There Wheelchair Access at Huka Falls?
Yes! The Huka Falls main lookout walk has easy-grade accessibility.
Are There Amenities at Huka Falls?
No, there are no amenities at Huka Falls, however 600 metres up the road at the Hub cafe, there are public toilets.
Can You Swim along Huka Falls?
Swimming is strictly prohibited at Huka Falls as there have actually been fatalities here.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit?
Any time of year is a great time to visit, however just be aware that summer is the busiest period.
So, if you are looking for a quiet experience, we recommend avoiding peak periods.
Is There Phone Service?
Yes, there is phone service at Huka Falls. However, some of the longer walks may have low reception in places.
Are Pets Allowed?
Yes, Huka Falls is an on-leash, dog-friendly location.
Is Smoking Allowed?
There is no signage to indicate that there is no smoking at Huka Falls, however, please be considerate of other visitors.
Is Huka Falls Worth the Trip?
MOST DEFINITELY YES!!!
From the thrill of standing on the bridge across the channel to the thunderous roar of Huka Falls crashing into the Waikato River, it’s a truly exhilarating, unique experience not to be missed.
Other Huka Falls Activities
Taupo Accommodation
VU Thermal Lodge
For a true thermal experience, the VU Thermal Lodge offers comfortable rooms with private spa baths to soak in after a long day of adventuring.
Not to mention the staff are just lovely and willing to give tips on great places to see in the area!
For great deals on VU Thermal Lodge click here!
Taupo Debretts Spa Resort
From budget accommodations to luxury spa chalets and lodges, Taupo Debretts Spa Resort has something for everyone. Including affordable access to the very popular hot springs.
However, we recommend booking well in advance as availability fills up quickly.
For great deals on Taupo Debretts Spa Resort click here!
Other Great Places to Visit in the Region
If you are looking for other must-do places to see in the area, feel free to check out our post on Top 10 Things To Do In Rotorua – 2024 for some great tips.