Mangatini Falls

Mangatini Falls was definitely our favorite waterfall that we didn't get to see the first time around in 2004. While this 25m waterfall was definitely pleasant to look at with its satisfying rectangular shape and high flow, we remembered this hike most for the Charming Creek Walkway. This track basically had us walking through tunnels while following an old coal mining railway (definitely attesting to the coal mining history of the area). Practically the whole time, we were meandering amidst the gorge all the while listening to the sound of rushing water throughout the hike. And for a bit of a thrill factor, there was even a hair-raising swinging bridge crossing over Ngakawau River just before the falls itself.

This hike almost didn't happen for us because we had originally intended to try the hike to the falls on the day we arrived in Westport. Unfortunately, torrential rains had caused floods and we decided not to risk it on this track at the time. So we waited for the next day, and even though much of the track was muddy, we certainly didn't regret that decision as the weather improved dramatically (with the resulting improvement in experience, I'm sure).

It took us about an hour each way to see Mangatini Falls from the Charming Creek Walkway starting in Hector. There were a couple of sections of the track where we couldn't linger due to the danger of rockfalls.

After around maybe 45 minutes or so of walking, we happened to chance upon a cascade right next to the track. We almost made the mistake of thinking this was the Mangatini Falls, but it wasn't. It was merely some unnamed cascade that looked fairly attractive in its own right, but had nothing on the real waterfall. Eventually, the track led to a swinging bridge suspended high above the Ngakawau River Gorge. There could easily be a queue on this bridge as there was only room for people to go in one direction and there was a limit on the number of people on the bridge at one time. We definitely had to wait a few minutes for people to cross when we were trying to get out. So I could only imagine how much of a wait it could be on a busier day than when we did this hike.

Speaking of which, despite the crappy conditions the day before and the mud-saturated track on the day we did the hike, it seemed like this excursion was still very popular. When we started the hike, we were the only car parked at the car park. But when we returned, it was full!

Directions: Drive north on SH67 towards the town of Hector (roughly 33km north of Westport). Just before getting to the bridge over the Ngakawau River, turn right onto Tyler Rd (it's also signposted for the Historic Charming Creek Walkway). Follow Tyler Rd to the car park just beyond some old railroad tracks with really beat up roads.

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The aftermath of torrential rains the day before

Some old mining relics

Some trees blooming red

A railroad tunnel

Swinging bridge near the falls

The falls when viewed from the swinging bridge

The falls

Attractive side falls

Closer look at that side falls

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Short bottom up sweep of the falls in pretty full flow