Hunua Falls Short Loop

Quick facts

Getting there

Hunua Falls is about 45 minutes from central Auckland by car. Take the Southern Motorway (SH1) south towards Papakura, exit onto Papakura Clevedon Road heading east, then turn left onto Hunua Road and follow it for about 15 kilometres. The car park is well signposted on your right.

• There is no direct public transport to the start of the walk, so you will need a car or a taxi from Papakura train station for the last leg of the trip.
• Parking is free and there are toilets at the car park, with the falls only a short walk from where you leave the car. The car park holds around 30 to 40 vehicles and fills up fast on weekends, so get there early if you can, or use the overflow parking along Hunua Road.
• The park’s vehicle access gate runs on seasonal hours, generally from 6am to 9pm in summer and 6am to 7pm in winter, though it is worth checking the current gate times before you go since these can change. Pedestrian access into the park is open 24 hours.

The walk

Start at the main car park off Hunua Road, where you will find toilets and picnic tables. Head down the obvious gravel path towards the sound of the waterfall. The track drops gently through native bush with kauri and rimu overhead.

After about five minutes you reach the viewing platform looking out over Hunua Falls. This is the best vantage point, so take your time here. Rather than backtracking, carry on around the loop. You cross a small bridge over the stream, then the track climbs gradually back through the bush. Watch for tree roots crossing the path on the way up. You come out back at the car park where you started.

What you’ll see

The Wairoa River drops around 30 metres over a greywacke rock face into a deep pool below. Greywacke is the same sedimentary rock that forms much of the ranges around here, and the falls exist because softer rock has worn away faster than the harder layers, leaving the cliff behind.

The bush either side of the track is regenerating native forest, kauri, rimu and tawa among it. Fantails often follow walkers along the track, picking off insects disturbed by your footsteps, and you will usually hear tui calling from the flowering trees. Wood pigeon turn up occasionally too, though they tend to keep to the quieter parts of the ranges.

Who it’s for

This is a genuinely easy walk, suitable for families, beginners and anyone short on time. Buggies can manage the main path with care, though the viewing platform area has steps, so you will need to carry younger kids down for the best view of the falls. Kids aged five to seven manage this walk without any trouble.

When to go

The falls look best a day or two after decent rain, when the flow is strong and the mist carries out over the platform. During dry spells in summer they can drop to a trickle, so check recent rainfall if you are driving out specifically to see them at their best. Early mornings on weekends are quieter, and the light through the canopy is good for photos. Weekend afternoons and school holidays draw crowds, so time it right if you want the track to yourself.

Important stuff

• Dogs are allowed on a leash on this track and throughout Hunua Ranges Regional Park.
• Swimming at the base of the falls is not recommended. The pool has strong currents and sharp drop offs, and there is a history of drownings here, so stay on the platform and off the rocks below.
• The viewing platform has railings but keep a close eye on kids, the drop is significant. Phone reception around the falls is patchy, so do not rely on it for navigation or for calling for help.
• Entry to the park and the car park is free.

Common questions

Can I take my dog to Hunua Falls Short Loop?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on a leash on this track and elsewhere in Hunua Ranges Regional Park.

Is this walk suitable for young kids, say five and seven year olds?
Yes. It is graded easy, well formed underfoot, and short enough that most kids in that age range manage it comfortably.

Can I swim at Hunua Falls?
Swimming at the base of the falls is not recommended. The pool has strong currents and sharp drop offs, and there is a history of drownings there.

Is there a cost to visit?
No. Entry to Hunua Ranges Regional Park is free, and so is parking at the falls car park.

What are the gate hours for the car park?
The vehicle gate generally runs from 6am to 9pm in summer and 6am to 7pm in winter, but check the current gate times before you go since they can change. Pedestrian access is open 24 hours.

Other walks nearby

• Hunua Falls Track, the longer route from the same car park that takes you up to the top of the falls.
• Suspension Bridge Loop, a nearby walk with a suspension bridge crossing.
• Wairoa Loop Suspension Bridge, another suspension bridge crossing further into the ranges.

Back to Hunua Ranges Walks.