← ReGear Journal

Central North Island

Tawhai Falls: a short waterfall walk near Whakapapa

ReGear

Visit Tawhai Falls near Whakapapa: an 800 m return walk with steps, waterfall viewpoints and useful advice on parking and river conditions.

Tawhai Falls and its pool framed by native vegetation.

Tawhai Falls is an easy stop when you want a waterfall view without the length of the Taranaki Falls loop. The main choice is how far down the steps you want to go before climbing back to the car.

Quick facts

  • About 800 m return; DOC lists 15 minutes, plus viewing time.
  • Easy short walk with steps and an uphill return.
  • SH48 car park, around 4 km from Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre.
  • No dogs; drones require a permit.

Getting to the start

Use the signed car park on SH48. If full, return later rather than parking on the state highway. Early or later in the day can be less busy.

Location and route maps

Open either image for a closer look. Orange highlights show DOC’s mapped track; north is up.

Regional aerial map locating Tawhai Falls northwest of Whakapapa.
Tawhai Falls mapped walking track highlighted orange on actual LINZ aerial imagery, with the entrance marked and north up.

DOC route information and official map

What the walk is like

  1. Descend from the car park towards the waterfall.
  2. Stop at the viewpoint near the top of the falls.
  3. If conditions suit, continue down the extra steps for a river-level view.
  4. Return uphill on the same path.

Effort and conditions

The distance is short, but the steps still take effort. The upper viewpoint is a sensible turnaround if someone does not want the additional descent.

The river rises quickly in wet weather. Stay back when it is high, murky or loud. Riverbank rocks are slippery; keep children close.

What I would bring

I would bring shoes with grip and a warm waterproof layer, with water and a snack handy in the car. Keep hands free on the steps and stop in a secure spot for photographs.

Before heading back

Use toilets and organise drinking water in Whakapapa first. Add time for the views and uphill return. For a longer walk, choose a separate signed route rather than extending along the riverbank.

Read next: Taranaki Falls: the forest and waterfall loop from Whakapapa.

More walks to compare

Sources and photo credits

Sources checked 30 September 2026.

Maps: LINZ Basemaps and imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0. Track geometry: Crown copyright, Department of Conservation, DOC Tracks dataset, CC BY 4.0. Location labels and route highlights added.

Photo: Tawhai Falls, Jan 2014.jpg — Blueromulan. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for display.