Marios Gavalas
Fluted hexagonal jointed rocks by the falls
Marios Gavalas
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!
Author Marios Gavalas, Rankers and hundreds of contributors bring you a free web map to help you get lost (and find yourself) in Aotearoa's nature.
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
1.6 km return | 10-30 minutes return
One of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country, with viewing platforms perched in all the right places to get you up close.
Bridal Veil Falls are well signposted, 20 km from Raglan. Follow SH23 and turn right into Te Mata Road. After 9.4 km veer left onto Kawhia Road and Bridal Veil Falls are signposted after 3.4 km on the right.
There’s some fine tawa forest on the way to the top lookout. Head right down the 261 steps to two further lookouts and the bridge / viewing platform at the base of the falls. The track is well constructed, with many structures to aid viewing the falls.
Around 2 million years ago a nearby volcanic eruption spewed lava down a river valley, which then solidified over the older sandstone. This harder basalt then remained intact as water flowed over it and incised a deep pool in the softer sandstone underneath. These excavations left the basalt cliff, with it’s fluted organ pipe hexagonal columns exposed, as an impressive backdrop to the 55m high falls.
Tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa) has the influence of infusing the forest beneath with a soothing honey-green light. It is a common tree of New Zealand forests and grows to around 25 metres tall. The bright green leaves give an illuminated feel to the forest and it often grows in dense stands to the exclusion of other species. Maori used the tree for treating wounds and relieving stomach upsets.
Waireinga means ‘leaping waters’, an allusion to the spirits which jump over the falls. To local Maori hapu, affiliated to the marae of Aotea Moana, the area was known to be inhabited by patupaiarehe. These forest fairies are felt as guardians of the area.
Feature | Value | Info |
---|---|---|
Organisation |
DOC WaikatoCentral government organisation |
|
Location |
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Raglan |
|
Categories |
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
---|---|---|
Track Length |
|
Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km 1.6 km return |
Track Duration |
|
Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins 10 minutes return to top lookout 30 minutes return to base of falls |
Track Difficulty |
|
Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
|
Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Large Vehicle Access |
|
Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
DOC Track Category |
|
DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Easy access short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes. Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required. |
Disabled Access |
|
Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? Disabled access provided This location provides access for wheelchairs. Yes to top lookout, but not further |
Crowd Factor |
|
Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. |
Track Managing Organisation |
|
Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Good small walk to where the falls start.
It's a fall.
Short and easy walk with some lookouts.
Easy to go there and the walk down is worth it.
Easy walk, beautiful falls.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|
10/10 | 3 |
|
13% |
9/10 | 8 |
|
33% |
8/10 | 9 |
|
38% |
7/10 | 2 |
|
8% |
6/10 | 2 |
|
8% |
5/10 | 0 |
|
0% |
4/10 | 0 |
|
0% |
3/10 | 0 |
|
0% |
2/10 | 0 |
|
0% |
1/10 | 0 |
|
0% |
3.0/5
It's a fall.
Nice view from 3 point. Top, middle, bottom. Lowest is the nicest. You might spot eel. Cool if you're in the neighbourhood but not worth a long detour...unless you never seen a fall before. Can not swim (anymore). Water is muddy and there are poison-traps around that could have spoiled the water. It's a very short walk to the fall.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Very beautiful waterfall and a nice walk till the waterfall.
Interesting sign, with fun facts about how the waterfall was made.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
5.0/5
GREAT walk, very short and well signed.
Such a beautiful waterfall with great observation points. If you do it you have to go to the bottom, definitely worth it.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
It is a magnificent view and beautiful place.
I can walk the short track for the waterfall and it is not so hard.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Amazing waterfall in the middle of New Zealand wild forest.
Easy walk, interesting trip.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Nice waterfall, walk from the top to the bottom with platforms to look at it.
Very peaceful.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Easy access and a stunning view.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
An absolutely breathtaking waterfall.
The varied heights of the viewing platforms each provide their own unique view of this beautiful natural phenomenon.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
Short and easy walk with some lookouts.
Impressive waterfall. Perfect for a swim at the end of the walkway, at the bottom of the waterfall.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Easy to go there and the walk down is worth it.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.5/5
Good small walk to where the falls start.
260 steps down to the pool where we swam. Well presented and properly maintained trails. Too many people.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
3.0/5
It's a fall.
Nice view from 3 point. Top, middle, bottom. Lowest is the nicest. You might spot eel. Cool if you're in the neighbourhood but not worth a long detour...unless you never seen a fall before. Can not swim (anymore). Water is muddy and there are poison-traps around that could have spoiled the water. It's a very short walk to the fall.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Very beautiful waterfall and a nice walk till the waterfall.
Interesting sign, with fun facts about how the waterfall was made.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.0/5
It is a magnificent view and beautiful place.
I can walk the short track for the waterfall and it is not so hard.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
GREAT walk, very short and well signed.
Such a beautiful waterfall with great observation points. If you do it you have to go to the bottom, definitely worth it.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
Amazing waterfall in the middle of New Zealand wild forest.
Easy walk, interesting trip.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Nice waterfall, walk from the top to the bottom with platforms to look at it.
Very peaceful.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Easy access and a stunning view.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
An absolutely breathtaking waterfall.
The varied heights of the viewing platforms each provide their own unique view of this beautiful natural phenomenon.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
Short and easy walk with some lookouts.
Impressive waterfall. Perfect for a swim at the end of the walkway, at the bottom of the waterfall.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Easy to go there and the walk down is worth it.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.5/5
Good small walk to where the falls start.
260 steps down to the pool where we swam. Well presented and properly maintained trails. Too many people.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
3.5/5
An amazing tall waterfall just a few steps away from the carpark.
You can stand on several observation platforms (one directly above the waterfall) and even at the bottom of the falls.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Easy walk, beautiful falls.
Very clean track. Nice information on flora and fauna. Self composting toilet.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in December 2015
4.5/5
Very impressive 55m waterfall.
Three viewing platforms - top, midway and bottom. The 237 steps are well maintained and it's all completely free. Only negative on a hot summer day is that DOC says it is unsafe to swim in the stream or pools. Something about agricultural runoff.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.5/5
Stunning place to visit, make it even more fun by taking some raw meat with you and hand feed the eels in the stream at the bottom.
They have become quite friendly and take it from your fingers ... just watch they don't get your finger!! Great fun for the kids.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
4.5/5
Lovely waterfall, just a short walk from the carpark.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
Nice waterfall.
Carpark has toilets.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
Nice 65m waterfall and close to the carpark, just a few steps away.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
3.5/5
Pretty walk.
The falls really look like a bridal veil. Swimming in the water beneath the falls was fun.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
Short track around the Wairenga Falls, not crowded, was alone there so I liked that.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
4.5/5
Nice walk.
Spectacular falls
Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in April 2010
4.0/5
Great views of falls from top & bottom.
New path & steps so easy access if a little steep!
Reviewed almost 15 years ago