- Free walk from Spa Thermal Park in Taupo to Huka Falls, no permit needed.
- 6 km return, about 3 hours at an easy walking pace.
- Dip your feet, or swim, in the free thermal creek at Otumuheke Stream on the way.
- Dogs are welcome on a leash, and there are toilets at both ends.
- Part of our Taupo Walks guide, an easy one for the whole family.
Quick facts
Getting there
Drive into Taupo from the north, cross the Waikato River bridge and head up the hill to the roundabout. Turn left into Spa Rd and drive past the Countdown supermarket. About 1.8 km further on, turn left into Country Ave and drive to the very end. The walking track starts on the left of the car park.
There is no cost to park at Spa Thermal Park and no permit is required to walk the track to Huka Falls. If you drive to the Huka Falls end instead, note that car park gate locks from 5:30pm to 8:30am, and a $30 release fee applies if your car gets locked in outside those hours.
There is also a shuttle bus between Huka Falls and Taupo if you would rather walk one way and ride back, it leaves from Taniwha St in town.
The walk
From the Country Ave car park, follow the track down a slight hill through Spa Thermal Park for about 500m until you reach the entrance way. It splits here, walking track to the left, bike track to the right, both end up at Huka Falls.
The council has done a lot of upgrading around the hot water pool area in recent years. It used to be a simple little bridge and a scruffy side creek. Now there is a big viewing platform overlooking the Waikato River and the hot water stream, new platforms right on the water’s edge, a cafe, plenty of new toilets and a freshwater drinking fountain.
Stop for a few minutes and give your feet a dip in the natural hot thermal creek at Otumuheke Stream, it’s free. Or take your togs and have a proper swim, the water sits at a really nice temperature. It gets warmer the further up the creek you go, though that part is not really accessible from the track.
It can get busy here since these free hot springs sit so close to town. The viewing platforms and extra boulders help keep people from wandering too far out into the Waikato River itself, the current there flows fast and the water is genuinely cold. Do not try to swim or float in the main river near Huka Falls, the current is dangerous and there have been drownings in the area. Local authorities have also warned against floating the river on air beds or other inflatables without a lifejacket.
Back on the main track, it is in good condition all the way to the falls and great for the whole family. It is open to the sun, so you get plenty of light and good views of the river. In a few spots you will want to walk a couple of metres off the main path to get right to the river’s edge, and parts of the track run close to a cliff edge, so stay on the formed track and away from the edge, especially with kids.
Look out for short side tracks off to the left as you go, they lead to better viewpoints over the river, including glimpses of the famous Huka Falls Lodge on the far bank. It is pure luxury, and lovely to look at from the track.
Again, watch for tracks peeling off to the left just before you reach the falls. If you get to the bridge without taking one, walk back about 25m, there is a track to the right that is well worth the small detour. For a different angle again, head up out of the car park to the road, turn right, walk about 500m, then turn right and up to the lookout, another 25m.
What you’ll see
A few hundred metres upstream of the falls, the Waikato River narrows from around 100m across down to a hard silica canyon only 15m wide, and the water is forced through with real power. More than 220,000 litres tumble over the cliff face every second. The falls themselves start as a set of small drops, then finish in the main plunge that most people mean when they say Huka Falls. The height of the drop actually changes from about 7 to 9.5 metres depending on how much water is being released upstream at the Control Gates for hydro demand, so it looks a bit different every time you visit.
The Waikato River is one of the country’s major hydro rivers, supplying several power stations downstream, so what looks like a scenic waterfall is also doing some heavy lifting for the national grid. You will get several different viewing angles on the way in, from the bridge over the top, from track side platforms, and from the roadside lookout.
If you want to keep going, the track continues past Huka Falls along the Aratiatia Rapids Track to the Aratiatia Dam Walk.
Who it’s for
Families, casual walkers and anyone short on time but keen to see one of Taupo’s best known sights properly, on foot rather than from a car window. The track is flat and well formed, easy enough for kids, though it is not wheelchair accessible and there is no cycling allowed on this particular track.
When to go
Any time of year works, the track is open and mostly exposed to the sun so it is a pleasant walk even on cooler days. It can get slippery after rain, and the thermal pool area gets busy in the middle of the day and over summer weekends, so go early or late if you want it quieter.
Common questions
Is Huka Falls free?
Yes. There is no cost to park at Spa Thermal Park and no permit needed to walk the track or view the falls.
How long is the Huka Falls walk?
From Spa Rd it is 6 km return and takes about 3 hours at an easy pace, including stops at the thermal creek and viewpoints.
Can you swim at Huka Falls?
Not in the main river near the falls, the current is fast, cold and dangerous, and there have been drownings in the area. You can swim in the free thermal creek at Otumuheke Stream further back along the track.
Are dogs allowed on the Huka Falls walk?
Yes, dogs are allowed but must be kept under control at all times.
What are the car park hours at Huka Falls?
The Huka Falls car park gate locks from 5:30pm to 8:30am. If you are locked in outside those hours, a $30 release fee applies.
Important stuff
- Do not swim or float in the Waikato River near the falls, the current is fast and cold and there have been drownings in the area. Never attempt to float the river on air beds or inflatables without a lifejacket.
- Some sections of track run close to a cliff edge, stay on the formed track and keep children and dogs close.
- Dogs are welcome but must be kept under control at all times.
- Bikes are not allowed on this walking track, use the separate Rotary Ride bike track if you are cycling to Huka Falls.
- The Huka Falls car park gate locks overnight from 5:30pm to 8:30am, a $30 release fee applies if you get locked in.
- Toilets and drinking water are available at both the Country Ave end and the Huka Falls end.
My honest take
We really enjoyed walking to Huka Falls instead of just driving there, the views of the Waikato River along the way are fantastic and the water is so clear it is genuinely surprising. The dip in the thermal creek at Otumuheke Stream is one of those free little Taupo experiences that is easy to skip if you only drive straight to the falls car park, so make time for it. Once you get to the falls, walk the extra few metres to the side tracks rather than stopping at the main bridge, the better viewpoints are just off the main path. We have not walked on to Aratiatia ourselves, but we have done the Aratiatia Dam Walk separately and it pairs nicely with this one if you have the time.
If you would rather see the falls up close from the water, save 25% on last minute tickets on the Rapids Jet Boat Ride in Taupo, it is a fun way to see the gorge from below.
Other walks nearby
- Aratiatia Dam Walk, continue past Huka Falls along the Aratiatia Rapids Track to reach it.
- Mt Tauhara Walk, about a 10km drive from town, a 2.5 hour return walk to the summit.
- Tongariro National Trout Centre, an easy family walk on the other side of Taupo.
See more of our Taupo Walks.
