Your Epic Guide to the Best Waterfalls, New Zealand: Tasman Edition

Here is the ninth edition of my epic guide to the best waterfalls in New Zealand – specifically written for the Tasman region. There are twelve wonderful waterfalls in Tasman, and I’ve compiled all the essential details you need to plan your visits to them so that you don’t have to. How many of these have you seen already?

Nelson

Nelson, known nation-wide for its long sunshine hours, is the main city of the Tasman Region. Although many of the Tasman’s treasured waterfalls are out in the national parks, you’ll find one here in the city centre, which makes it a good one to kick of your adventures here upon your arrival.

1. Brook Stream Waterfalls, The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary

General Location: Brook Stream Waterfalls are located just on the outskirts of the city of Nelson, right at the top of the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: The small city of Nelson is a fifteen minute drive from Brook Stream Waterfalls (10 kilometres, 6 miles).

Immediate Surroundings: Brook Stream Waterfalls are at The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, which is a fenced sanctuary that is 690 hectares! It contains plants and animals that need protecting. The waterfalls are on the Brook Stream.

Waterfall Height: The first waterfall, and most easily accessed, is 3 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: You can see the first waterfall from The Loop track, and the second, third and fourth once you’re on the Valley Track, (and the last two, only if you’re prepared to cross the stream and get your feet wet). Waterfall Name: Waimārama translates to ‘clear water’.

Getting There: It’s $5NZD 🇳🇿 ($3USD 🇺🇸) to enter The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. From the Information Centre, the Loop Track will take you to the first of the Brook Stream Waterfalls. There’s another once you’ve passed the bridge and the dam (on the Valley Track). There’s a third waterfall when you cross the stream, and a fourth not long after.

Track Distance: It’s no more than a kilometre to walk The Loop. Walk Time: It’s an hour return walk to all the Brook Stream Waterfalls. The Loop Track alone is 40 minutes of that.

Swimming: You cannot swim at The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. Dogs: Dogs cannot be at The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, as it is home to lots of endangered wildlife. Wheelchairs and Prams: Yes! The Loop Track at The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is wheelchair and pram accessible.

Go, Because: Go, because you’ll see several dams that existed in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Something Extra: There’s fifteen kilometres worth of walking at The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, so don’t just stop after doing The Loop! Last Updated: November, 2024.

Nelson Lakes National Park

Nelson Lakes National Park is an incredible holiday spot. It has sixteen lakes and is situated right at the top of the Southern Alps – that’s our main mountain range – so is rich in mountain landscapes, and if you visit these waterfalls in the spring, you’ll get these snowcapped mountains as a backdrop to your adventures.

2. Whisky Falls / Whisky Falls, Nelson Lakes National Park

General Location: Whiskey Falls are located in the Nelson Lakes National Park, at the top end of the Southern Alps (that run down the centre of the South Island). Nearest Civilisation: The village of St Arnaud, the gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park, is a twelve minute drive away from Whiskey Falls (6.5 kilometres, or 4 miles). Immediate Surroundings: Whiskey Falls are on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, one of sixteen beautiful lakes in the national park.

Waterfall Height: Whiskey Falls are 40 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: You can scramble over rocks to get to the base of Whiskey Falls or just view it from the trail at a distance (your view of the base is a bit obscured by lots of boulders and smaller cascades that run down from the base, but you’ll still be able to appreciate the height of Whiskey Falls).

Waterfall Name: Once upon a time, a whiskey distillery was hidden away at the waterfall (back in the 1800’s), which was illegal, and when the sheriff heard about it, everyone got out of there!

Getting There: The Lakeside Track will get you to Whiskey Falls. (You can also take a water taxi – more on that below).

Track Distance: The return walk to and from Whiskey Falls is 10.8 kilometres, or 6.7 miles. Walk Time: It’s a three hour return walk to and from Whiskey Falls. Swimming: The falling water can be pretty powerful, so don’t swim near the Falls themselves.

Dogs: Dogs are not permitted at Whiskey Falls. Wheelchairs and Prams: Stream crossings make Whiskey Falls inaccessible for wheelchairs and prams. Go, Because: Go, because this is quite possibly the best waterfall in the region.

Something Extra: Sort of already mentioned, but why not walk there and reward yourself with the water taxi back? You can take a water taxi to or from Whiskey Falls across Lake Rotoiti from the St Arnaud Visitor Centre with Rotoiti Water Taxis, if walking is not your thing. It’ll take you just fifteen minutes. It’s $35NZD 🇳🇿 ($20USD 🇺🇸) one way and $50NZD 🇳🇿 ($29USD 🇺🇸) return. Last Updated: November, 2024.

3. Travers Falls, Nelson Lakes National Park

General Location: Travers Falls are in the heart of Nelson Lakes National Park, at the top of the Southern Alps in the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: The village of St Arnaud is the gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park. It’s just under 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Travers Falls, a good couple of days walk away.

Immediate Surroundings: Travers Falls are on the Travers River, which feeds Lake Rotoiti. The Falls are located in the Travers Valley. You’ll walk to the far end of Lake Rotoiti and go through the Cupola Creek Chasm on the way there.

Waterfall Height: Travers Falls are 20 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: Just the one! Waterfall Name: Travers Falls are named after the valley, the river, the mountain, the saddle – all ultimately named after William Thomas Locke Travers, who was a military volunteer, naturalist and politician in the area in the late 1800’s.

Getting There: Travers Falls is along the Travers-Sabine Circuit, a multi-day hike that can take you up to a week (80 kilometres, 50 miles), and the Falls are located between John Tait Hut and Upper Travers Hut. (Even more specific than that, they are between John Tait Hut and Cupola Hut, only half an hour from John Tait Hut).

Alternatively, you might want to consider taking the water taxi from the St Arnaud Visitor Centre up to the head of Lake Rotoiti – that’s Lakehead Hut, and then walking up to Travers Falls and back. You’re looking at five hours each way, I believe, so it would be safest to spend a night at John Tait Hut as wells Lakehead Hut, but then you can take the water taxi back down the lake and head back out of St Arnaud again. Expect to spend $40NZD 🇳🇿 ($23USD 🇺🇸) each way.

Track Distance: From the trailhead at St Arnaud Village to Lakehead Hut at the head of Lake Rotoiti, it is 10 kilometres (or 6 miles). Then, from Lakehead Hut to John Tait Hut, it is 15 kilometres (or 9 miles). Travers Falls are a couple more kilometres from John Tait Hut. (That’s approximately 30 kilometres, or 19 miles, from the trailhead to Travers Falls).

Walk Time: It’s three hours from the village of St Arnaud to Lakehead Hut, then four and a half hours from Lakehead Hut to John Tait Hut, and then within the next half hour you should find yourself at Travers Falls (which is down a small side track). (That’s eight to nine hours into your walk, and the third morning for most people).

Swimming: The water pressure is very high at Travers Falls so it is not safe to swim. Dogs: Dogs are not permitted at Travers Falls. Wheelchairs and Prams: This is an advanced tramping track and not suitable for wheelchairs and prams.

Go, Because: Go, because the colour of the Travers River and the pool at the base of Travers Falls is unreal! It’s so clear, and a bright bluey-green.

Something Extra: Okay, I cannot wait to give you this reason to do the Travers-Sabine Track – you’ll visit Lake Rotomairewhenua, the clearest lake in the world. I googled the world’s clearest lake as soon as I learned that, and sure enough, little old Lake Rotomairewhenua comes right up!

It translates to ‘the lake of peaceful lands’ and is also referred to as Blue Lake. Clarity can go up to 76 metres plus !! To protect the water, as I’m sure you can understand, there is a ban on swimming and washing in the lake. Last Updated: November, 2024.

4. Braeburn Falls, Nelson Lakes National Park

General Location: Braeburn Falls is on the western side of Nelson Lakes National Park, which marks the top of the Southern Alps. Nearest Civilisation: The town of Murchison is a half hour drive from Braeburn Falls, 40 kilometres, or 25 miles. Immediate Surroundings: Braeburn Falls is on the shores of Lake Rotoroa, so it’s further over to the west from the Lake Rotoiti ones above. It’s in the Gowan Valley, on the Braeburn Range, and not far from the Gowan River (Lake Rotoroa’s outlet).

Waterfall Height: Braeburn Falls is 17 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: The view of Braeburn Falls is from a slight distance and from higher up.

Waterfall Name: Braeburn Falls is named after the valley area which is also named Braeburn. The valley gave nearby Braeburn Orchards its name, and that is the orchard where the Braeburn apple was first grown! Knowing a burn is a Scottish word for river, it seems that a brae is the slope of a hill. So the area must have originally been named for one of the rivers.

Getting There: The Braeburn Walk takes you along the shoreline of the lake and then the Waterfall Track takes you steeply up for ten minutes to Braeburn Falls and back. Track Distance: The Braeburn Walk is just over five kilometres, or just over three miles. Walk Time: It’s an hour and a half to and from Braeburn Falls.

Swimming: There is no up close access to Braeburn Falls for swimming. It’s quite a scramble to get to the base. Dogs: Dogs are not permitted in Nelson Lakes National Park.

Wheelchairs and Prams: The track is quite flat and graded so some wheelchairs and prams might be okay but parts can be narrow. Go, Because: Go, because Lake Rotoroa is an equally nice lake to hang out by and camp at; it’s just less popular than Lake Rotoiti. Something Extra: You must see the insta-famous Lake Rotoiti jetty, which is back at the St Arnaud Visitor Centre! Last Updated: November, 2024.

Four Rivers Plain

The Four Rivers Plain, if it wasn’t obvious, is where the Buller River, Matiri River, Mangles River and Mātakitaki Rivers all meet. It is up in the northwestern corner of the South Island, and marks where the Tasman Region meets the West Coast Region. Where there’s rivers, there’s waterfalls; here are your next three..

5. Six Mile Creek Waterfall

General Location: Six Mile Creek Waterfall is on the Four Rivers Plain, which is an area where four rivers meet up, located between the top of the Southern Alps and the West Coast. Nearest Civilisation: Six Mile Creek Waterfall is a ten minute drive out of the town of Murchison, 11 kilometres, or 7 miles. Immediate Surroundings: Six Mile Creek Waterfall is on Six Mile Creek, just off the Matakitaki River.

Waterfall Viewpoints: There’s a viewing platform from the end of the track from which you can view Six Mile Creek Waterfall. Waterfall Name: I would be very surprised if the creek was not six miles long! Getting There: Walk Six Mile Walk (aka Six Mile Hydro Walkway) to Six Mile Waterfall.

Track Distance: It’s 3.6 kilometres (or 2.2 miles) return walk to and from Six Mile Creek Waterfall. Walk Time: It’s a one hour to one and a half hours return walk Six Mile Creek Waterfall. Swimming: There is no swimming access at Six Mile Creek Waterfall.

Dogs: Dogs are not permitted at Six Mile Creek Waterfall. Wheelchairs and Prams: There is a steep gradient at the start of the walk to Six Mile Creek Waterfall so this one is not suited to wheelchairs and prams. Go, Because: Go, because this actually used to be a hyrdropower system and you’ll see the old weir and water race.

Something Extra: This area of the country is has some of the world’s best fly fishing: check out River Haven Guiding if you’re after the guided experience – or the heli fishing experience! Last Updated: November, 2024.

6. Maruia Falls

General Location: Maruia Falls is on the Four Rivers Plain in the top left corner of the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: The town of Murchison is a seventeen minute drive away, 22 kilometres, or 13 miles. Immediate Surroundings: Maruia Falls sits on the Maruia River.

Waterfall Height: Maruia Falls is 10 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: There’s one viewpoint of Maruia Falls; you’ll even feel the spray from there! Waterfall Name: Maruia translates to ‘sheltered’ and is the name of the river and the valley (and some hot springs, an hour south!)

Getting There: The Maruia Falls Track will get you to Maruia Falls. Track Distance: It’s only two hundred and fifty metres return walk to Maruia Falls. Walk Time: You’ll only need ten minutes for Maruia Falls, return.

Swimming: Maruia Falls is not a safe place to swim; quite the volume of water passes through here. Dogs: Dogs are not permitted at Maruia Falls. Wheelchairs and Prams: Wheelchairs and prams will be fine on the Maruia Falls Track.

Go, Because: Go, because this waterfall was created by the 1929 earthquake! The earthquake caused a landslide that caused the Maruia River to divert its course over the top of what was the riverbank.

Something Extra: Just out of Murchison is a “flaming good bush walk”: The Natural Flames Experience is a guided walk through the forest to a little clearing where there are flames that never go out (and never burn the forest down). Turns out they’re fed by natural gas above the ground that seeps up but how incredible is that? The tour costs $110NZD 🇳🇿 ($64USD 🇺🇸) and includes 4WD transport, and, when you get to the clearing, a cup of tea, cooked in a billy, and pancakes drizzled with honey. This is the only fire like this in the world! Last Updated: November, 2024.

7. Ariki Falls, Buller Gorge Swingbridge Adventure And Heritage Park

General Location: Ariki Falls is located on the Four Rivers Plain in the top left hand corner of the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: The town of Murchison is a ten minute drive from Ariki Falls, 14 kilometres, or 7 miles. Immediate Surroundings: Ariki Falls is part of the Buller Gorge Swingbridge Adventure And Heritage Park, located in the Buller Gorge and Buller River area.

Waterfall Height: Ariki Falls is 5 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: The best way to view Ariki Falls is from a white water raft or a jetboat! But you can also get a view of it from the walking track.

Getting There: The Ariki Falls Walkway will take you to Ariki Falls. You’ll need to pay for entry to the swingbridge first and then can access all the walking tracks. Track Distance: It’s only a few kilometres to Ariki Falls and back.

Walk Time: The walk to Ariki Falls is one hour, return. Swimming: You cannot swim Ariki Falls, although getting out on the water via jet boat or raft is recommended! Dogs: Dogs cannot visit Ariki Falls.

Wheelchairs and Prams: The swingbridge crossing makes Ariki Falls inaccessible to wheelchairs and prams. Go, Because: Go, because Buller Gorge Swingbridge is the country’s longest swingbridge!

Something Extra: Don’t settle for seeing the Falls and crossing the bridge: the adventure park also has jet boat rides on offer through the Buller Canyon, an insane flying fox type ride called the Comet Line, which is 160 metres long and high above the river, or go panning for gold in a secret spot where your chances of finding some (and keeping it) are good! The gold panning is $12.50NZD 🇳🇿 ($7USD 🇺🇸), the bridge crossing is $12.50NZD 🇳🇿 ($7USD 🇺🇸), the Comet Line is between $40NZD 🇳🇿 ($23USD 🇺🇸) and $70NZD 🇳🇿 ($40USD 🇺🇸), and the jet boat ride is $125NZD 🇳🇿 ($73USD 🇺🇸). Last Updated: November, 2024.

Abel Tasman National Park

I get so pumped writing about the Abel Tasman National Park because of how n=much it surprised and delighted me when I did the Abel Tasman Coastal Track over five days in February 2022. Guys, it is beautiful! I’ve been travelling New Zealand my whole life, but the colour of the water and the gorgeous beaches in this part of the country had me thinking I was in the tropics. You’ve gotta go! And when you do, consider paying these next four waterfalls a visit.

8. Cleopatra’s Pool, Abel Tasman Coastal Track, Abel Tasman National Park

General Location: Cleopatra’s Pool is part of the Abel Tasman National Park, home to the most beautiful beaches, tucked away on the northern coast of the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: One of the gateways into the national park is the village of Mārahau, which is one of the trailheads for the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk. Anchorage Bay is where you’ll access Cleopatra’s Pool from, regardless of whether you have walked between Mārahau  and Anchorage, or taken a boat there (which is a three quarter of an hour long ride).

Immediate Surroundings: Cleopatra’s Pool is down the bottom of the Torrent River. There’s a small waterfall flowing into a crystal clear pool. Waterfall Height: Cleopatra’s Pool Waterfall is not high, only a metre or so.

Waterfall Viewpoints: In the water, out of the water, on top of the waterfall, below the waterfall! Waterfall Name: I believe Cleopatra’s Pool is named after the original one in Turkey, gifted to Queen Cleopatra.

Getting There: Cleopatra’s Pool is a slight detour from the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, one of the 10 Great Walks of New Zealand. People hike it in 3-5 days, but the walk is an easy one to just do sections of, so you get lots of day-trippers in there too, who have used the water taxi services to come and go between the bays.

If you were to water taxi to Anchorage Bay, you could shortcut into Cleopatra’s Pool from there. Bear in mind that there is a track across the Torrent Bay Estuary, for when it is low tide, and a track around the estuary, for when it is high tide.

Track Distance: The walk into Cleopatra’s Pool from Anchorage Bay is 2.2 kilometres, or 1.3 miles, and the same back out again. If you’re walking the whole thing, Cleopatra’s Pool is 14.6 km kilometres (or 9 miles) in from the start point at Mārahau. From the other end of the track, which is Wainui Bay, Cleopatra’s Pool is approximately 50 kilometres (or 31 miles) (depending on high tide and low tide route differences).

Walk Time: It’s an hour between Anchorage Bay and Cleopatra’s Pool, and an hour back out again, but many people can do each way in 40 minutes. If you’re walking the whole thing from the start point at Mārahau, Cleopatra’s Pool is about 5 hours into the journey. From the other end of the track, which is Wainui Bay, Cleopatra’s Pool is about 12 hours into the journey.

Swimming: Cleopatra’s Pool is clear and cold and a well-loved swimming spot. Dogs: Dogs are not permitted on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Wheelchairs and Prams: Wheelchairs and prams are unable to access Cleopatra’s Pool.

Go, Because: Go, because the mossy rocks form a natural waterslide into Cleopatra’s Pool! Something Extra: A fantastic alternative to walking the full Abel Tasman Coastal Track (which winds its way up the coast, past beautiful bay after beautiful bay) is to hire a sea kayak and paddle between them all instead. This is probably the best place in the country for sea kayaking. Last Updated: November, 2024.

9. Falls River Falls, Abel Tasman Coastal Track, Abel Tasman National Park

General Location: Falls River Falls is another waterfall in the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park, up on the northern coast of the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: One gateway into the national park is the village of Mārahau, one of the trailheads for the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk. It’s three quarters of an hour away by boat.

Immediate Surroundings: Falls River Falls is on Falls River and a little inland from Torrent Bay and the Torrent Bay Estuary. Waterfall Height: Falls River Falls is 7 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: Just the one!

Getting There: You can take the Falls River Track up to Falls River Falls from Torrent Bay. If you’re walking the whole Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the Falls River Track is a three hour side trip. If you are not, you can water taxi in to Torrent Bay and then start the walk.

Track Distance: The side track to Falls River Falls is 7 km return. So that’s a bit over 16 kilometre (10 miles) from the official trailhead at Mārahau. From the other end, Wainui Bay, Falls River Falls is a bit under 50 kilometres (31 miles), one way.

Walk Time: It’s a three hour return walk to and from Falls River Falls, starting at Torrent Bay. If you’re walking the whole thing, from the start point at Mārahau, that’s about 7 hours into your journey. From the other start point, which is Wainui Bay, Falls River Falls is about 13 hours into your journey.

Swimming: Falls River Falls has good swimming spots. Dogs: Dogs are not permitted on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Wheelchairs and Prams: Wheelchairs and prams are unable to access Falls River Falls.

Go, Because: Go, because you’ll cross the 40 metre long Falls River Swingbridge to get there. It’s 20 metes above Falls River. Something Extra: There’s a tiny little village at Torrent Bay – mostly comprising holiday houses. The main track will take you through but if you’ve come into the bay via the water, it’s worth a look. Last Updated: November, 2024.

10. Bark Bay Falls, Abel Tasman Coastal Track, Abel Tasman National Park

General Location: Bark Bay Falls is in the Abel Tasman National Park, a tiny little national park on the northern coast of the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: The gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park (well, one of them) is the village of Mārahau. It’s an hour away by boat.

Immediate Surroundings: Bark Bay Falls are a little inland from Bark Bay and are on Waterfall Creek. Waterfall Height: Bark Bay Falls is 12 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: You’ll see Bark Bay Falls from the suspension bridge over the creek.

Waterfall Name: Bark Bay Falls is named after the bay, which was named because they used to harvest the bark from the trees here. Getting There: Bark Bay Falls is another waterfall on the 3-5 day Abel Tasman Coastal Track, but once again, day trippers can get in and out using the water taxi services if you are not walking the whole thing. The Falls are ten minutes out from Bark Bay and are on the main Abel Tasman Coastal Track, so no side trips involved.

Track Distance: Bark Bay Falls is just a few hundred metres away from the bay. The walk to Bark Bay Falls from the Mārahau end of the track, that is, if you are doing the full walk, is 24 kilometres (15  miles) – that’s one way. From the other end of the track, Wainui Bay, the Falls are 36 kilometres (22 miles) of the way along the track.

Walk Time: If you take a water taxi to Bark Bay, Bark Bay Falls are a short walk away, ten minutes each way. If you’re walking the full track, Bark Bay Falls are 8 hours into your journey from Mārahau. If you’ve started at the other end point, which is Wainui Bay, Bark Bay Falls are 12 hours into your journey.

Swimming: There is not much of a pool at Bark Bay Falls but I can really recommend swimming at Bark Bay! Dogs: Dogs are not permitted on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Wheelchairs and Prams: The terrain on the walk to Bark Bay Falls is not suitable for wheelchairs and prams.

Go, Because: Go, because this one’s an easy stroll from the bay, and one you don’t even have to take a detour to if you are doing the multiway walk! Something Extra: I would so recommend swimming in the Bark Bay Estuary! Just be mindful of currents if the tide is going out, however. Last Updated: November, 2024.

11. Wainui Falls, Abel Tasman National Park

General Location: Wainui Falls is in the coastal Abel Tasman National Park, a small but gorgeous national park at the top of the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: The town of Tākaka is half an hour away from Wainui Falls, a 20 kilometre drive, or 13 miles. Immediate Surroundings: Wainui Falls sits the Wainui River and the trailhead is at Wainui Bay.

Waterfall Height: Wainui Falls is 20 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: Just the one! Waterfall Name: Wai means ‘water’ and Nui means ‘large’. This first probably refers to Wainui Bay, after which the river and Falls are named.

Getting There: The Wainui Falls Track will take you to Wainui Falls. Track Distance: The return walk to Wainui Falls is 3.8 kilometres, which is 2.3 miles. Walk Time: It’s an hour and a half return walk to and from Wainui Falls.

Swimming: There’s a great pool to swim in at Wainui Falls. Dogs: Dogs are not permitted in Abel Tasman National Park. Wheelchairs and Prams: A suspension bridge on. The track makes Wainui Falls inaccessible to wheelchairs and prams.

Go, Because: Go, because it’s probably the best waterfall in the area! Something Extra: Something nearby (just out of Tākaka) is the Te Waikoropupū Springs (they’re cold water springs, before you get excited). They are the biggest freshwater spring in the country and the largest cold water spring in the Southern Hemisphere! You cannot swim here, as they need to protect the water, but it is some of the clearest water you will ever see. Last Updated: November, 2024.

Kahurangi National Park

Kahurangi National Park, our second biggest national park, is quite massive, and it occupies most of that top left corner of the South Island. It’s incredibly remote and rugged, and the reason why you cannot actually access much of it by road. The northernmost of our main highways actually skirts underneath it, leaving much of this corner of the island undiscovered.

12. Salisbury Falls, Kahurangi National Park

General Location: Salisbury Falls are located inland of Golden Bay, which is a big sweeping C shaped bay at the top of the South Island, running from Tākaka right up to skinny Farewell Spit in the top left corner. Nearest Civilisation: Salisbury Falls is twenty minutes inland from the town of Collingwood, 24 kilometres, of 15 miles. Immediate Surroundings: Salisbury Falls are on Salisbury Creek, just thirty metres off the Aorere River, in the Aorere Valley.

Waterfall Height: Salisbury Falls are 4 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: There’s a bridge that provides a viewpoint, and you can see Salisbury Falls from the rocks up top or from the water’s edge down at the base. Waterfall Name: Salisbury Falls is named for the Salisbury Family. They were in the area during the goldrush in the 1800’s.

Getting There: There is a little track down to Salisbury Falls after you cross a paddock. Track Distance: It’s only a few hundred metres down to Salisbury Falls. Walk Time: It’ll take you five minutes to reach Salisbury Falls.

Swimming: Salisbury Falls is a great spot for swimming! Dogs: Dogs are fine at Salisbury Falls. Wheelchairs and Prams: The paths to Salisbury Falls is not wheelchair or pram friendly.

Go, Because: Go, because this was a filming location in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy! In The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, it is the waterfall where Tauriel and Legolas meet up before the go into Laketown.

Something Extra: Salisbury Falls is just a quarter of an hour’s drive away from the trailhead of the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks (a multi-day hike out to the West Coast). If you have read my blog post about booking your spot on the Heaphy Track, you’ll know how remote both the trailheads are, so if you’re already planning to walk the Heaphy Track, maybe tack on Salisbury Falls to your plans! Last Updated: November, 2024.

I hope this information has served you! Tasman Region has three national parks so you really do get to pick what kind of adventure you’re after – forest, mountains or beach. The waterfalls in this list, as we’ve seen, are dotted throughout the region, so they are as varied as the landscapes are; there’s a waterfall for every kind of adventurer.