Waitonga Falls
The tallest waterfall in the national park, at about 39 meters. Along the way, a high-mountain swamp pond can capture reflections of Mount Ruapehu.
The trail starts beside the Ohakune Mountain Road, which leads to the Tūroa ski area. The round trip takes about 1.5 hours and covers 4 km. It crosses a high-mountain swamp on a boardwalk, and when the weather is calm, Mount Ruapehu is reflected in the pools. The path then passes through beech forest down to the falls. The waterfall drops about 39 m and is the tallest in Tongariro National Park. Nearby, Mangawhero Falls can be seen right from the roadside, so the two can be visited together. Entry is free.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Mangawhero Falls
- Tūroa Ski Area
- Mount Ruapehu
- Whakapapa Ski Area & Sky Waka
- Silica Rapids
- Whakapapa Village & Visitor Centre
- Ohakune Old Coach Road
- Ohakune & the Big Carrot