Taranaki Falls is a worthwhile, free two-hour alpine loop for a 20 m waterfall, gorge, lava terrain and volcano views—not a quick roadside stop. It works best when you start from Whakapapa Village with suitable weather gear and a clear enough forecast for the exposed upper track.
Do not book an entry ticket
The DOC Taranaki Falls Walking Track is free, ungated and has no reservation, timed-entry or admission requirement; paid local trips are transport or guiding, not access to the falls.
Start at Whakapapa Village
Use the Ngāuruhoe Place trailhead, 100 m below Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre on SH48, and park opposite the visitor centre rather than trying to access the falls from Ohakune.
MoreAllow three hours, not two
DOC lists the 6 km loop at two hours, but allow 2½–3 hours for the falls, gorge, photos and changing alpine conditions.
MoreCheck conditions before leaving
Do not attempt the walk during a DOC closure, unsafe SH48 access, severe wind/low cloud, or snow and ice beyond your skills; snow can occur from March to November.
More| Monday | 12 AM – 12 AM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12 AM – 12 AM |
| Wednesday | 12 AM – 12 AM |
| Thursday | 12 AM – 12 AM |
| Friday | 6:15 AM – 6:15 PM |
| Saturday | 12 AM – 12 AM |
| Sunday | 12 AM – 12 AM |
Hours from Google; check before you go.
Free to enter — no ticket needed.
Taranaki Falls is a 20 m waterfall on Wairere Stream in Tongariro National Park, reached from Whakapapa Village—not Ohakune—on DOC’s 6 km Taranaki Falls Walking Track loop. The stream drops over an andesite lava flow from Mt Ruapehu, erupted about 15,000 years ago; the two-hour route crosses tussock and volcanic terrain, beech forest, a gorge and Cascade Falls, with views toward Ngauruhoe and Tongariro when clear.
This is one of the park’s strongest short walks: the waterfall is a good destination, but the changing volcanic landscape, gorge, forest and mountain views make the route worthwhile. Choose it for a relatively low-commitment alpine walk, including on a windy day when the lower branch is more sheltered; skip it if you need step-free access, dislike uneven paths and 100 steps, or want a large, high-volume waterfall.
Before you go
No. Taranaki Falls is in Tongariro National Park, reached from Whakapapa Village on SH48, about 50 km (around 40 minutes’ drive) from Ohakune. Start at the Taranaki Falls Walking Track trailhead on Ngāuruhoe Place, 100 m below the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre.
No. The Taranaki Falls walking track is free, ungated and does not require a reservation, permit, timed entry or admission ticket. Do not buy a tour expecting admission to be required; paid products are for guiding or transport, not entry to the falls.
Use the Whakapapa Village parking area opposite the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre, then walk about 100 m down to the Ngāuruhoe Place trailhead. In winter, check current DOC parking and road information before driving because village parking may have time restrictions and mountain conditions can affect access.
Allow 2 hours for DOC’s 6 km loop. Plan 2½–3 hours if you want photo stops, a relaxed break at the falls, are walking with children, or may wait for mountain cloud to clear.
A practical route is to take the lower branch out to the falls, then return on the upper branch. The lower route follows Wairere Stream through tussock and beech forest, passes Cascade Falls, and is more sheltered in wind; the upper route crosses open lava-flow terrain with broader views when clear.
No. It is an easy-to-intermediate natural trail rather than a step-free route. Expect uneven ground and a 100-step flight at the falls; DOC does not designate it as wheelchair accessible.