Home » Finland » Huka Falls. Huka Falls - the most visited attraction in New Zealand Waterfalls in New Zealand - photo

Huka Falls. Huka Falls - the most visited attraction in New Zealand Waterfalls in New Zealand - photo

December 3rd, 2017 , 12:09 pm

Since we are still not allowed on Tongariro, we will go with you to explore the sights around Taupo. Moreover, very close to the city is, as it turned out, the most famous landmark of New Zealand.

Huka Falls are so stunning that there is a bus service from the town of Taupo (attention!) to them (!!). True, he goes twice a day (9:15 and 13:45) and returns after half an hour (9:45 and 14:15)

So it turns out quite stupid. If you go in the morning, you have two choices - either run around the waterfalls in 20 minutes (the drive from Taupo is about 8 kilometers, that is, you arrive at 9:25, and you have 20 minutes before the return bus), or hang around there for four hours.

With all due respect to the waterfalls (and they are truly stunning) - 4 hours is still a bit much, especially if you are limited by a tight time schedule)

It is impossible to combine it with another attraction - for example, the Lunar Craters are located nearby, but you already have to walk three kilometers there, plus an hour or two there, plus back - you won’t turn around in four hours.

So you should probably relax and get used to the idea of walking. Moreover, the Huka Falls area is full of various walks.

You can walk to the Ariatia Dam (the most popular route), you can return to Taupo on foot. You can go to the already mentioned Lunar Craters, or you can, if you are a very good walker, go to the Wairakei terraces - or more precisely to what is left of them.

Well, for now we’ll admire the waterfall itself

At first, the waterfall seemed too touristy to me - rumors that this is the most visited attraction in the country do not seem to be exaggerated.

And got my zen

I thought that after Iceland - - you wouldn’t surprise me with waterfalls. But I was wrong.

And besides, it is touristic - you don’t need to make a 10-kilometer trek to get there, you are taken by bus directly to a specially built bridge, from which you can view the waterfall from all sides you want

But nevertheless he is beautiful. And very special. There are no such things even in Iceland

The waterfall has deservedly entered the list of my favorite moments in New Zealand in an honorable tenth place - .

This was my second waterfall in New Zealand after Kakahi in Hell's Gate Park -

I stood for a long time and enjoyed the sound of rushing water (220 thousand liters per second)

Moreover, the desired attraction was visible directly from the waterfalls (erupting clouds of steam in the distance - these are the Lunar Craters)

And the park around just invited me to take a walk

And I hit the road to the Craters of the Moon geothermal park

But about the park itself - next time

New Zealand- a country of fabulous beauty. If there was a paradise on Earth, it would be located here, in an emerald wonder lost among the turquoise waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Two large islands - North and South, and a whole scattering of small picturesque islands (more than seven hundred in number) not only cut off from the rest of the world, but also form a unique geographical region filled with unusual plants and animals.

Local waterfalls also bear little resemblance to their world counterparts. They are distinguished by their special sophistication and grandeur, the brightness of fresh waters and the charm of soft tints, the originality of the structure of the cascades and the unusualness of their location in the middle of pristine subtropical and evergreen nature. Many of them are fed by the waters of local rivers and are located far from major cities. Most waterfalls are equipped with special viewing platforms, which are located at the foot or at the very top. The roads to New Zealand's waterfalls are surrounded by spectacular views - mountains, plains, valleys, fjords and rivers.

Waterfalls of New Zealand - PHOTO

1. Mount Damper Falls

The seventy-four meter Damper waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls North Island. Located away from major settlements, it allows you to admire its straight, sheer fall in a peaceful atmosphere of peace and quiet. The water flowing over the rocks creates bizarre visual effects - flowing silver, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, subtropical downpour.

2. Bridal Veil Falls (Waikato)

It's not for nothing that Bridal Vale Falls is called the "Wedding Veil". With the trajectory of the falling water, it surprisingly resembles a light bridal veil. A staircase with three hundred steps leads to the foot of the waterfall. Bridal Vale is best admired from afar. Up close, especially from above, it seems very tiny. Meanwhile, this is one of the most picturesque and majestic waterfalls in New Zealand, falling through a large amphitheater of rocks from a height of 55 meters.

3. Wairere Falls

Wairere Falls is the highest in the North Island of New Zealand. The water in it falls in two stages from a height of 153 meters. A convenient walking trail leads to the waterfall, consisting of moss-covered stones and tree roots. Subsequently, it turns into a staircase that can be used to reach the top of the hill, from where a beautiful view of the local plains opens. In spring, Wairere falls against a backdrop of flowering apricot trees surrounding the rocky bed of the waterfall.

4. Huka Falls

Located in Wairakei Park, Huka Falls is formed by the rapid flow of the Waikato River, which sharply narrows from one hundred to fifteen meters. Every second, 220 thousand liters of water pass through this area. The most beautiful section of the Huka waterfall is located on the last, eleven-meter step. Here the river waters whip into snow-white, lush foam and rainbow splashes.

5. Marokopa Falls (Marokopa Falls)

One of the largest (widest) waterfalls in the North Island has a unique geographical location– it is located near the Waitomo cave system, which has no analogues anywhere on Earth. The age of the caves is more than two million years. Crickets live in one hundred and fifty mountain formations, illuminating the cave darkness with a magical, bluish-green light. You can admire Maracopa from observation platforms, located at the foot and near the top of the waterfall.

6. Bowen Falls

Bowen Falls was named after Diamantina Bowen, the fifth wife of New Zealand Governor George Bowen. It is formed by the river of the same name, flowing on South Island through the largest National Park countries - Fiordland. Bowen waters travel a distance of 162 meters. The waterfall is located in the valley of one of the most beautiful formations in the country - the Milford Sound fjord. Bowen is most beautiful in the spring - during the melting of glaciers.

7. Stirling Falls

The one hundred and fifty-five meter Sterling Falls is located near Bowen Falls, in Milford Sound. A powerful stream of water falls vertically between two majestic mountains covered with lush green vegetation - Elephant and Lion. Most best view View of Sterling Falls from a cruise ship during the snowmelt period.

8. Humboldt Falls

Humboldt Falls consists of three rapids with a total length of 275 meters. The largest stream of water descends from a height of 134 meters. One of New Zealand's tallest waterfalls makes a deafening noise. You can reach it in a short time through a picturesque rain-forest. The waterfall can be viewed from a specially equipped observation deck.

9. Devils Punchbowl Falls

Devil's Punchbowl Falls is a unique system of two water streams, falling first in a classic manner, and then wrapping around the rocks in the form of a ribbon. The height of the waterfall is 37 meters. Devil's Punchbowl often dries out, but during the period of melting snow and precipitation it gains full water and shines with all the colors of the rainbow.

Located on the Arthur River, in the southwestern part of South Island, Sutherland Falls is the highest in Oceania. Its waters fall down from a height of 580 meters. The source for the waterfall is a majestic lake hidden in a mountain hollow. You can get to Sutherland by rented car or tour bus. Best time to visit the waterfall - from December to February.

New Zealand is a country of fabulous beauty. If there was a paradise on Earth, it would be located here, in an emerald wonder lost among the turquoise waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Local waterfalls also bear little resemblance to their world counterparts. They are distinguished by their special sophistication and grandeur, the brightness of fresh waters and the charm of soft tints, the originality of the structure of the cascades and the unusualness of their location in the middle of pristine subtropical and evergreen nature. Many of them are fed by the waters of local rivers and are located far from large cities. Most waterfalls are equipped with special viewing platforms, which are located at the foot or at the very top. The roads to New Zealand's waterfalls are surrounded by spectacular views - mountains, plains, valleys, fjords and rivers.

Waterfalls of New Zealand - PHOTO

1. Mount Damper Falls

The seventy-four meter high Damper Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the North Island. Located away from large populated areas, it allows you to admire its straight, sheer drop in a peaceful atmosphere of peace and quiet. Water flowing over the rocks creates bizarre visual effects - flowing silver, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, subtropical downpour.

2. Bridal Veil Falls (Waikato)

3. Wairere Falls

4. Huka Falls

5. Marokopa Falls (Marokopa Falls)

One of the largest (widest) waterfalls in the North Island has a unique geographical location - it is located near the Waitomo cave system, which has no analogues anywhere on Earth. The age of the caves is more than two million years. Crickets live in one hundred and fifty mountain formations, illuminating the cave darkness with a magical, bluish-green light. You can admire Marakopa from observation platforms located at the foot and near the top of the waterfall.

6. Bowen Falls

Bowen Falls was named after Diamantina Bowen, the fifth wife of New Zealand Governor George Bowen. It is formed by the river of the same name, which flows on the South Island through the country's largest National Park - Fiordland. Bowen waters travel a distance of 162 meters. The waterfall is located in the valley of one of the most beautiful formations in the country - the Milford Sound fjord. Bowen is most beautiful in the spring - during the melting of glaciers.

7. Stirling Falls

The one hundred and fifty-five meter Sterling Falls is located near Bowen Falls, in Milford Sound. A powerful stream of water falls vertically between two majestic mountains covered with lush green vegetation - Elephant and Lion. The best views of Sterling Falls are from a cruise ship when the snow melts.

8. Humboldt Falls

Humboldt Falls consists of three rapids with a total length of 275 meters. The largest stream of water descends from a height of 134 meters. One of New Zealand's tallest waterfalls makes a deafening noise. You can reach it in a short time through a picturesque tropical forest. The waterfall can be viewed from a specially equipped observation deck.

9. Devils Punchbowl Falls

Located on the Arthur River, in the southwestern part of South Island, Sutherland Falls is the highest in Oceania. Its waters fall down from a height of 580 meters. The source for the waterfall is a majestic lake hidden in a mountain hollow. You can get to Sutherland by rented car or tour bus. The best time to visit the waterfall is from December to February.

Huka Falls are one of the most beautiful and most popular natural attractions in New Zealand. This country is famous for its natural beauty and is considered an inexhaustible source of green forests and sparkling rivers and lakes. The undisputed favorite among them is Huka Falls. In reality, it is a series of cascades on the Waikato River, New Zealand's largest river, which flows from the crater lake Taupo, one of the largest reservoirs on the planet fresh water. All waterfalls are located within the Wairakei Tourist Park, which is located north of Taupo.

Tourists and naturalists, firstly, have easy access to Huka Falls, since the national highway is nearby, and secondly, the Waikato River provides excellent opportunities for rafting on inflatable rubber boats. That's why the Tourist Park is full of extreme rafting enthusiasts all year round.

A few hundred meters upstream, the Waikato River narrows greatly, turning from a calm river a hundred meters wide into a fast-moving torrent that rushes through a narrow gorge barely 15 meters wide. This canyon appeared about 26,500 years ago as a result of a major volcanic eruption, the site of which is now Lake Taupo. For the convenience of visitors, several waterfalls have been built along Huka Falls. observation platforms and small bridges crossing the picturesque river.

The waters of the river are crystal clear and incredibly beautiful. This feeling of absolute purity is created mainly by the huge number of sparkling water bubbles that are formed due to the strong flow of the stream. The volume of water passing through Huka Falls reaches 220,000 liters per second. At the top of the waterfalls there are many small cascades from which water cascades down from a height of 8 meters. The most impressive is considered the most large waterfall 11 meters high. The average annual water temperature is quite high, reaching 22 degrees in the summer and 10 degrees in the winter months. However, no matter how tempting the water temperature may seem, swimming along Huka Falls is impossible even for experienced athletes, since the waters of the stream are too rough and dangerous.

Where to find: natural park Wairakei, a few kilometers from Taupo, New Zealand;
Entertainment: extreme, rafting, swimming to the foot of a waterfall;
Price: boat ride to the foot of the waterfall - $90

Huka Falls is one of the most fascinating and most popular miraculous waterfalls, representing a whole cascade of waterfalls on the Waikato River, the largest river in the country, which originates in the crater. This lake is considered the largest reservoir of fresh water on the planet.

Geographical location of the waterfalls

Huka Falls is one of the top ten waterfalls. "Huka" is translated from the native language of the Maori people as "foam". They are located on the territory of the Wairakea excursion park, a few kilometers north of the city of Taupo. The falls are characterized by the rushing flow of the Waikato River, which narrows significantly a few hundred meters away, transforming from a placid river 100 meters wide into a rapidly raging torrent barely 15 meters wide. This canyon was formed several centuries ago as a result of a major volcanic eruption, in its place Lake Taupo appeared.

Natural features of the area

The waters here are crystal clear and incredibly beautiful. The feeling of perfect purity and freshness appears due to the huge amount of sparkling water bubbles whipped into snow-white foam and rainbow splashes of the river flow. The volume of water flowing from Huka Falls reaches 220,000 liters per second.

At the upper border of the waterfalls there are many small cascades rushing down from an 8-meter height. The most amazing part is the drop of water at the final stage from a height of 11 meters. The average annual water temperature is quite high: in the winter months it reaches 10 degrees, and in the summer the water warms up to 22 degrees. Despite such tempting water temperatures, swimming along Huka Falls is dangerous even for athletes with excellent experience, because the water flows are too stormy and unpredictable.

Tourist Information

All tourists and young naturalists can easily get to Huka Falls on their own, as State Highway 1 is nearby. For all fans of extreme rafting, the Tourist Park provides the opportunity for rafting on inflatable rubber boats on the Waikato River all year round. For those who want to enjoy the rapid flows of water, there is a place stretched over the waterfall pedestrian bridge. Here you will find a stunning panorama for photographers and connoisseurs of water landscapes.

A fast amphibious motorboat will take extreme sports enthusiasts right to the gap a few meters away where the waterfalls flow into the river. A ticket for this boat tour can be purchased for about $90.

Not far from the center resort complex with the same name Huka Falls Taupo, it is almost within walking distance - 3 minutes by car. Huka Falls can be reached in approximately 2 minutes by car.

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