Huka Falls Walk from Spa Rd, Taupo town end

3 km • 1.5 hours one way • Easy • Once you reach Huka Falls, there are plenty of different viewing points to watch the water rush through the tight ravine of sheer rock cliffs, creating a canal of big churning rapids.

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Starting from Taupo, you can walk all the way to Huka Falls instead of taking the car

We enjoyed fantastic views of the mighty Waikato River along the way. You’ll be amazed at how clear the water is in the river, it’s just stunning.

Take a dip in the hot thermal creek on the Otumuheke Stream at the start of the walk on your way to Huka Falls, it’s really nice. There is even a new cafe there too.

Once you reach Huka Falls there are plenty of different viewing points to watch the water rush through the tight ravine of sheer rock cliffs, creating big churning rapids.

If you can’t be bothered doing the walk and just want to see the Huka Falls up close, then do the Huka Falls Jet Boat Ride from Taupo to the base of the Huka Falls, it’s such a cool ride.

If you’re keen on a longer walk then continue from Huka Falls along the Aratiatia Rapids Track to Aratiatia Rapids Lookout Walk.

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Quick Facts about this walk

Location: Taupo, North Island (2km away from the Taupo city centre)
Distance: 6 km return
Time needed: 3 hours return
Difficulty: Easy
Mountain Bike: Not on the walking track, but there is now a separate biking track to the Huka Falls.
Wheelchair Access: No
Route: Round Trip
Elevation: 380m
Wet Feet: No
Toilets: Yes, at both ends of the walk
Dogs: Yes
Mobile Coverage: Yes

Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

Excellent viewing platforms at the start of the walk along with a cafe! The track follows the banks of the Waikato River, enjoy the views along the way. The thermal hot water creek is fun. At Huka Falls you can stand on the bridge or on the banks watching the massive volume of water squeeze through the narrow gorge.

Track Quality

Very good walking track from Spa Park to Huka Falls. Great for the whole family.

Hazards

Don't try and swim in the Waikato River, it is a very fast flowing river and really cold.

Transport

There is a shuttle bus to and from the Huka Falls into Taupo if you don’t want to walk back. It leaves from 21 Taniwha St.

Huka Falls shuttle bus timetable

Water

There is a water fountain at the beginning of the walk and at the carpark at Huka Falls. Don't drink out of the river even though the water looks clean.

Driving Instructions

The best way to find Country Ave is if you drive into Taupo from the north, cross over the Waikato River bridge and up the hill to a roundabout, you would then turn to the left into Spa Rd and drive past Countdown supermarket. At 1.8 km further on, you turn to the left into Country Ave, drive to the very end. The Huka Falls walk starts on the left of the car park.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Taupo town.

Taupo restaurants

History of the Huka Falls

In the 1870's Europeans began to settle at the outlet of the Waikato River, on the edge of Lake Taupo. As Sergeant Talty predicted the region's attractions gained International Repute and Huka Falls became a 'must-see' on young New Zealand's tourist itinerary.

As the 20th century progressed, the Waikato developed into one of this country's major electricity-producing rivers. It supplies eight hydroelectric stations and provides cooling water for three other stations, two of them geothermal and one thermal. The Waikato River system produces about 15 per cent of New Zealand's power.

Map of Huka Falls Walkway

Full walk details

Turn left into Country Ave. Drive or walk to the end of the road, the walking track is over to the left hand side of the car park. Follow the track for about 500m down a slight hill in Spa Thermal Park until you reach the new entrance way which splits to the walk on the left and a bike track on the right, both go to Huka Falls.

Take a free dip in the natural thermal hot water stream on the Huka Falls Walk from Taupo (2) — Entrance way with walking track to the left and bike track on the right

Take a free dip in the natural thermal hot water stream on the Huka Falls Walk from Taupo (1) — New bridge over the thermal hot creek to the cafe

Take a free dip in the natural thermal hot water stream on the Huka Falls Walk from Taupo — New platform right on the waters edge

Take a free dip in the natural thermal hot water at Otumuheke Stream

The council has been doing a lot of upgrading at the hot water pool area. It used to be just a simple little bridge and a scruffy side creek that was quite rough. Not anymore, now there is a lovely big fancy viewing platform overlooking the whole of the Waikato River, the hot water stream and the new viewing platforms right on the water’s edge.

There is even a cafe here now, wow! Lots of new toilets and a freshwater drinking fountain.

Stop for a few minutes and give your feet a refreshing dip in the natural hot water thermal creek – it’s free! Or take your swim gear and have a swim, you’ll find the water a really nice temperature. The temperature increases the higher up the creek you go, but it’s not really accessible from here.

It can get a bit busy as these natural hot springs are free and close to town. It’s a good thing they have put in the viewing platforms and added a lot more boulders so you’re not tempted to go out swimming too far into the Waikato River as the water flows quite fast.

Save 25% on last minute tickets on the Rapids Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

Good walking track beside the Waikato River to Huka Falls

You can see the track is in good condition. Its open, so you get plenty of sun and great views of the river. In some places you need to walk a few metres to get to the edge of the river. Be careful, in places the track can be very slippery if wet.

Enjoy the views of the river along the walk

Walk up the (5m) track to the look out. Sit down and enjoy the view of the Waikato River.

Views of Huka Falls Lodge on the other side of the river

You can catch a glimpse of the famous Huka Falls Lodge from the main track. For better views look for short tracks off to the left. Huka Lodge is pure luxury and beautiful.

The world famous Huka Falls

More than 220,000 litres of water tumbles over the cliff face per second at Huka Falls! These falls are a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River that drain Lake Taupo in the North Island of New Zealand. A few hundred metres upstream from the Huka Falls, the Waikato River narrows from roughly 100m across into a hard rock silica canyon only 15m across. The water flowing through supplys 90 MW to Aratiatia hydro electric power station. At the top of the falls is a set of small waterfalls dropping over about 8m. The most impressive, final stage of the falls is an 11m drop – commenly known as the Huka Falls.

Again look for tracks off to the left just before the Huka Falls, if you reach the bridge to the falls, walk back (25m) and to the right is a track, well worth the effort. For better views of the falls, head out of the car park, up to the road, turn to the right, walk (500m) then turn to the right and walk up to the look out (25m). Another way to see the Huka Falls is by Jet Boat.

You can walk from the Huka Falls to Aratiatia Dam. We didn’t do this walk, however, we have been to Aratiatia and done the Aratiatia Rapids Lookout Walk.

Consider doing the Mt Tauhara Walk

It’s only a 10 km drive out to the carpark, about 13 mins away from downtown Taupo. It’s a 2.5 hour return walk to Mt Tauhara Summit.

Walking tours and great activities in Taupo at DISCOUNTED PRICES

We’ve handpicked a number of really good things to do in Taupo at massively discounted prices. You might like to try one of these before or after your walk to the Huka Falls. Click on one for more details and to book directly online and save heaps of money.

See more of my Taupo Walks

Sandra from Freewalks

Over the last 20+ years, Sandra has been walking and hiking around New Zealand, discovering hidden gems and local free walking tracks. She is an avid hiker, walker, and outdoor enthusiast, as well as an amateur photographer based in New Zealand. She always makes it a point to document each walking adventure with photographs, 3D videos, GPS maps, and detailed descriptions.