Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
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3.4 km return | 1 hour 20 minutes return
A thumping waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation
If you catch the falls after rain, they are more spectacular.
During the New Zealand summer holidays the track will be busier with local holidaymakers.
From Takaka head along Abel Tasman Drive towards Totaranui. Just past Wainui Inlet turn right at the signpost into Wainui Falls Road and continue to the road end carpark.
The track follows the Wainui River upstream through a ferny forest with nikau and some big rata.
Cross the suspension bridge shortly before the falls.
This is granite country, with huge granite boulders lining the river fally and strewn throughout the streambed. The intense rains and steep watersheds give some mighty floods and logs stack up in the valley.
Wainui Falls are around 20 metre high.
Northern rata and tree ferns make this a luxuriant forest.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? ![]() 1 to 2 hours |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? ![]() Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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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 |
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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. A short section of gravel road from the turn-off on Wainui Rd. |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? ![]() Walking track Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Toilet at the carpark. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? ![]() No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs. |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting |
Track Managing Organisation |
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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. ![]() |
Cell Phone Service |
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Cell Phone ServiceWhat level of cell phone service is available at the location? No service There is no cell phone service anywhere at the location. You can not make calls or get data on a mobile phone. |
Beautiful walk through the rainforest.
Very nice falls and good track.
A must do walk in Golden Bay.
Short walk to really nice falls.
A short, but very beautiful walk!
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 14 |
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29% |
9/10 | 14 |
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29% |
8/10 | 15 |
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31% |
7/10 | 4 |
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8% |
6/10 | 1 |
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2% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
2May24.
Sunny but a cool breeze.
A nice walk to what was today an impressive, noisy waterfall. Perhaps due to the rain last night.
Didn’t swim anywhere so no opinion on that but we enjoyed the walk and the waterfall. DoC says 40 mins each way but that is if you dawdle along.
There are a couple of benches along the walk. It was peaceful just taking in the surroundings.
Reviewed 4 months ago
5.0/5
A must do walk in Golden Bay.
Even in the heat of Summer the river’s water is chill. Take your togs to fully enjoy one of the many swimming holes. Or jump in at the falls themselves.
After heavy rain the falls are impressive.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.5/5
Great waterfall, easy walk including a nice swing bridge, 1 hour return, perfect light when the sun goes down.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.0/5
Nice easy walk to the Falls which were spectacular!
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.5/5
Short walk to a big waterfall.
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Short walk, easy walk (good for kids), very nice waterfalls.
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
A very good and easy walk to the Wainui Falls.
This waterfall is large and impressive, you can even sit in the pools in front of this waterfall. It took us about 1 hour return for this walk. You walk along a river and over bridges and have many good photo opportunities. There is a parking space and a toilet at the beginning of the walk. It is very well signposted!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.5/5
Great walk if you are up that way, as it is quite a drive out there.
Well maintained walkway and we got to see some eels swimming in the river.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Beautiful walk through the rainforest.
Easy, with a huge waterfall at the end, where you can swim. Definitely worth it!
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Pretty nice waterfall where you can swim in the waterhole.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Short walk to really nice falls.
2km in 2o minutes. Nice water to swim.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Very nice falls and good track.
Took a swim in the ice cold water next to the waterfall. Didymo is there - other than that, a thumbs up!
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
2May24.
Sunny but a cool breeze.
A nice walk to what was today an impressive, noisy waterfall. Perhaps due to the rain last night.
Didn’t swim anywhere so no opinion on that but we enjoyed the walk and the waterfall. DoC says 40 mins each way but that is if you dawdle along.
There are a couple of benches along the walk. It was peaceful just taking in the surroundings.
Reviewed 4 months ago
5.0/5
A must do walk in Golden Bay.
Even in the heat of Summer the river’s water is chill. Take your togs to fully enjoy one of the many swimming holes. Or jump in at the falls themselves.
After heavy rain the falls are impressive.
Reviewed over 2 years ago
4.5/5
Great waterfall, easy walk including a nice swing bridge, 1 hour return, perfect light when the sun goes down.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.5/5
Short walk to a big waterfall.
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Short walk, easy walk (good for kids), very nice waterfalls.
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Nice easy walk to the Falls which were spectacular!
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
5.0/5
A very good and easy walk to the Wainui Falls.
This waterfall is large and impressive, you can even sit in the pools in front of this waterfall. It took us about 1 hour return for this walk. You walk along a river and over bridges and have many good photo opportunities. There is a parking space and a toilet at the beginning of the walk. It is very well signposted!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.5/5
Great walk if you are up that way, as it is quite a drive out there.
Well maintained walkway and we got to see some eels swimming in the river.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Beautiful walk through the rainforest.
Easy, with a huge waterfall at the end, where you can swim. Definitely worth it!
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Pretty nice waterfall where you can swim in the waterhole.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Short walk to really nice falls.
2km in 2o minutes. Nice water to swim.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Very nice falls and good track.
Took a swim in the ice cold water next to the waterfall. Didymo is there - other than that, a thumbs up!
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.0/5
Nice walk, very busy which lowered our experience.
If more time and you are more alone then great. Definitely take your swimmers. Would enhance the experience. Nice walk with average waterfalls. But nice to do.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Well crafted track with wonderful river and waterfall views.
Swing bridge and waterfalls add sense of adventure.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.5/5
Nice easy track to a big waterfall!
Beautiful walk and impressive falls!
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
Short walk with easy parking.
Only a 40 minute walk upstream to an amazing powerful waterfall. The river walk gets better and better as you go.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
5.0/5
Walk next to the river and crossing the river over a bridge.
Ends at the big beautiful waterfall with a big basin to have a swim. Nice place to rest a while.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
Nice walk and in the end you will find the beautiful waterfall.
Cold water but nice for a swim if you are brave enough.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
5.0/5
Just 30 minutes walk through native bush will lead you to an amazing waterfall with the possibility to have a shower.
Enjoy natural swimming there.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in December 2015
4.5/5
Perfect walk, nice waterfall at the end.
Funny swing bridge but a little bit dangerous.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.5/5
Short walking track up to a beautiful waterfall surrounded by forest.
At the bottom of the waterfall there is a great swimming hole.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in December 2015
3.5/5
The walk was not far from the car park and the falls were great.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
A short, but very beautiful walk!
With adventure too, a nice bridge!
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
5.0/5
Excellent walking track (no stairs and not paved, very natural).
Very cool swinging bridge and a beautiful waterfall with swimming hole at the end. Well worth the walk.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in January 2015
4.0/5
A 40 minute adventure walk to some beautiful waterfalls.
Track not for the faint hearted. We loved it, falls well worth the visit.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
3.5/5
Short track along a nice river.
The falls are great but the water is too cold to go swimming.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
5.0/5
Cool walk, swingbridge, level is medium to hard, not for kids, big falls, fresh water and not too long......
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014
5.0/5
Exciting walk, hanging bridge, relatively big falls, clear water.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
30 minute walk to a nice waterfall with old swingbridge.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014