The Majestic Huka Falls

One of my highlight stops with my guests before my last time with them, on dropoff to Huka Lodge.
It is a wonderful short walk around both sides of the Huka (Sugar) Falls.

The Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, moves gracefully north from Lake Taupō between banks 100 metres apart. Just before the Huka Falls it enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock.

The previously placid waters roar and rumble at great speed along the ravine before bursting out over Huka Falls to crash into the turbulent pool 11 metres below. A foot bridge right at the top of the falls puts you in a prime position to get up close and witness the powerful display of water blasting by. If you'd like to see the power and fury of the falls up close, try the Huka Jet boat ride or river cruise.

To follow the build up to the falls you can hike the Spa Park to Huka Falls trail, an easy one hour walk that begins where the river is still tranquil and wide. Passing through exotic and native forests, the track emerges again alongside the river and the roar of the falls grows louder at every turn. Around the falls there are several great vantage points from which to enjoy their full splendor and capture some very impressive photographs.

The Huka Falls car park is about 1.6 kilometres north of Taupō.