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There's lots to say about New Zealand and the New Zealand Waterfalls. Click on one of the following links to jump to the section you're interested in...ABOUT THE FALLS
New Zealand is the landscape featured in the Peter Jackson The Lord of the Rings movies - and it let the world in on its best kept secret. The country boasts a tremendously diverse collection of scenic features such as... - Serene Native Rainforests
- Colorful Volcanic Moonscapes
- Soothing Sandy Beaches
- Unique Thermal Wonderlands
- Mythical Fiords
- Towering and Snow-covered Alpine Mountains
- ...and of course, New Zealand Waterfalls
I haven't even mentioned the friendly and laid back people, the Maori culture, and small town rural charm! Like its diverse landscape, the collection of New Zealand Waterfalls encompasses almost every imaginable variety. They range from the short, powerful, yet colorful Huka Falls to the tall and majestic Sutherland Falls. There are waterfalls that run hot like Kakahi Falls, and there are giant waterfalls fed by the melting snow like Devil's Punchbowl Falls. There are also waterfalls near beaches such as Kitekite Falls as well as waterfalls in dense native rainforests like Mokau Falls and silent fiords like Browne Falls. The list goes on and on, and you'll have to give New Zealand some time to explore to understand why it was the ideal choice for the idyllic, J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired Middle-Earth. In fact, we loved New Zealand so much that we published a guide book about waterfalls in New Zealand. Browse through these pages to virtually experience Middle-Earth and its misty curtains...
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NEW ZEALAND WATERFALLSBelow are the New Zealand Waterfalls that we have been to. Click on a region or a waterfall for more details about them.
 North Island (Auckland/Northland/Coromandel): The New Zealand Waterfalls found here are not far away from metropolitan urban areas as well as sunny coasts. Yet despite their proximity to civilization, most of the attractions remain unspoiled. I've arbitrarily chosen this section to include the metropolitan city Auckland, the sunny, subtropical forests and coasts of the Northland region, and the beautiful beaches and forests of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Click here to read more about the area and see its waterfalls.
Click here to jump directly to the area's waterfall list.
 North Island (Rotorua/Taupo/Bay of Plenty/Hawke's Bay/Tararua): This region encompasses a mix of urban scenery, native forests, and thermal features. In these diverse terrains, you can still find satisfying New Zealand Waterfalls. Both Rotorua and Taupo sport thermal attractions in what is very much like a Kiwi version of Yellowstone National Park. The Bay of Plenty region is anchored by the port city of Tauranga with forests not far away. The Hawke's Bay Region has some of the sunniest places as well as some of the most pristine tracts of native rainforest stretching as far south as the Tararua District. In all of these areas, you'll find New Zealand Waterfalls off the beaten path as well as some very popular ones.
Click here to read more about the area and see its waterfalls.
Click here to jump directly to the area's waterfall list.
 North Island (Central Plateau/Taranaki/Waikato): Volcanoes, glow-worms, farmland, and caves make up this interesting region. Situated with this diverse landscape are some of the North Island's tallest and most impressive waterfalls. The Central Plateau region features the Tongariro National Park, which contains a colorful volcanic moonscape as well as active volcanoes that are reminiscent of the forbidding Mordor in the Lord of the Rings. The Taranaki region has a mix of remote farmland as well as the perfectly conical Mt Taranaki. The Waikato region features caves, farmland, and glow-worms.
Click here to read more about the area and see its waterfalls.
Click here to jump directly to the area's waterfall list.
 South Island (Greymouth/Arthur's Pass/Lewis Pass/Abel Tasman): This region encompasses the northern section of the majestic snow-capped Southern Alps as well as the northern section of the rugged and wildly scenic West Coast. New Zealand Waterfalls found here are generally in the rugged and steep snow-clad mountains so they're mostly of the snow-fed and tall variety. In addition to the alpine areas of Arthur's Pass and the lower Lewis Pass, there's also the incredibly scenic coastal scenery near the Greymouth area. For example, the famous Pancake Rocks are one of the most ideal places to see a sunset. Further to the north, this region also encompasses the wild beauty of the West Coast north of Westport, the Buller District, and even golden sands and forests of the Abel Tasman National Park.
Click here to read more about the area and see its waterfalls.
Click here to jump directly to the area's waterfall list.
 South Island (Glacier Country/Haast Pass/Canterbury): Glaciers coming down towards the wet and wild West Coast as well as the southern sections of the Southern Alps comprise this region. Given the wet climate of the area, numerous waterfalls can be found here in both the permanent and ephemeral varieties. The Glacier Country has two of the fastest moving glaciers in the world in the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. The Haast Pass is the southernmost pass of the Southern Alps passing through Mt Aspiring National Park. The Canterbury Plains encompasses not only the colorful lakes on the leeward side of the alps near Mt Cook, but they also encompass the peaceful Peel Forest.
Click here to read more about the area and see its waterfalls.
Click here to jump directly to the area's waterfall list.
 South Island (Fiordland/Southland): This region contains some of the South Island's (and the country's) most spectacular scenery. Fiordland National Park is home to the mythical Milford Sound and its quieter counterpart - Doubtful Sound. In these regions, you'll find towering and powerful waterfalls spilling into a fiord whose walls are lined by steep-walled snow-capped peaks. In fact, the tallest New Zealand Waterfalls are found here. In Southland, you'll find wind-swept forests and coastal scenery in the Catlins Forest Park, which also has its own eclectic collection of interesting waterfalls.
Click here to read more about the area and see its waterfalls.
Click here to jump directly to the area's waterfall list.
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MORE INFOIf you'd like to know more about New Zealand, check out the following links...
A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls (Johnny T. Cheng): This one-of-a-kind 288-page themed travel guide is an invaluable companion, trip planner, and keepsake. With each waterfall covered, you will find... - full color photos
- detailed color maps
- author ratings and lists
- detailed driving directions
- interesting facts and tidbits
- index and color references
 New Zealand's Other Attractions: There's more to the Land of the Long White Cloud than waterfalls. If you're curious about the country's other natural attractions or you're suffering from fatigue of New Zealand Waterfalls, have a look! [read more]
 New Zealand Travel Stories: Read about the stories behind the World of Waterfalls. See New Zealand through our eyes while becoming more informed about this beautiful country. In this section, you will find travel journals that will leave you laughing, smiling, curious, or just about all the emotions you'd expect when you're traveling to an unknown place. [read more]
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WHERE ARE THE WATERFALLS?
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NEW ZEALAND WATERFALLS LISTIf you already have a waterfall in mind that you'd like to see details about, browse the list below...
[Back to North Island (Auckland/Northland/Coromandel)]
[Back to North Island (Rotorua/Taupo/Bay of Plenty/Hawke's Bay/Tararua)]
[Back to North Island (Central Plateau/Taranaki/Waikato)]
[Back to South Island (Greymouth/Arthur's Pass/Lewis Pass/Abel Tasman)]
[Back to South Island (Glacier Country/Haast Pass/Canterbury)]
[Back to South Island (Fiordland/Southland)]
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