Humboldt Falls

Fiordland National Park / Hollyford Valley, South Island, New Zealand

About Humboldt Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Humboldt Falls was one of the more dramatic waterfalls that we experienced in the South Island of New Zealand.

It was hard to believe that this waterfall seemed to be one of the better kept secrets in Fiordland National Park during our first trip here in November 2004.

Humboldt_Falls_005_11242004 - Humboldt Falls
Humboldt Falls

I’d imagine a lot of this had to do with the majority of the traffic going towards the world famous Milford Sound (bypassing Hollyford Valley in the process).

When we returned here five years later in December 2009, it seemed like the falls had gained a little more popularity than before.

Yet it was still a relatively quiet and lesser known attraction reserved for only those with their own transport willing and able to make it deep into the Hollyford Valley for a look.

Accessing Humboldt Falls

Our visit began with a well-signed car park almost at the end of the unsealed Lower Hollyford Road (see directions below).

Humboldt_Falls_002_11242004 - The start of the bush track leading to the lookout for Humboldt Falls
The start of the bush track leading to the lookout for Humboldt Falls

We then followed the sign where it predicted that the walk would take us about 30 minutes return.

The walk was on a pretty developed gravel path going gently uphill through a very lush native rainforest where seemingly everything had moss growing on it (attesting to the high rainfall in the area).

At the end of the track, we encountered a lookout area with a somewhat distant view of Humboldt Falls.

We also managed to spot a barely-visible companion waterfall a little over half the size of its 275m neighbour.

Humboldt_Falls_001_12232009 - Julie on the lush uphill track to the lookout for Humboldt Falls
Julie on the lush uphill track to the lookout for Humboldt Falls

There was also a bench here to sit and chill out while enjoying the view.

That said, I’m willing to bet that how long one would sit around and allow sandflies to take pot shots at a sitting target wouldn’t be for that long.

At least that was the case for both Julie and I as we knew the key to minimizing itchy sandfly bites was to keep moving.

Of course, that was kind of hard to do when we had to behold the glorious view of the very tall waterfalls in an otherwise very pristine part of New Zealand.

Humboldt_Falls_009_12232009 - Context of Julie checking out Humboldt Falls from the lookout during our December 2009 visit while trying not to mind the sandflies
Context of Julie checking out Humboldt Falls from the lookout during our December 2009 visit while trying not to mind the sandflies

When we timed our return visit in December 2009, we recorded a round trip time of about 50 minutes, but we really took our time on that second go around (while also bothering with rain gear since it was raining at the time).

I recalled on my first visit in November 2004, I thought the sign’s prediction was pretty accurate.

Yet even on that first visit, I recalled contending with rain as well.

Authorities

Humboldt Falls resides in Fiordland National Park near Te Anau in the Fiordland region of South Island, New Zealand. It is administered under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: hollyford, fiordland, te anau, milford, southland, southern alps, south island, new zealand, waterfall



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.