New Zealand North Island
Lower Silica Rapids – multiple small and picturesque cascades
Multiple small cascades along a tributory of the Whakapapanui Stream, next to the Lower Silica Rapids Track.
Tongariro became New Zealand’s first national park in 1887, and just over one hundred years later was awarded dual UNESCO World Heritage status (for both its cultural significance to the Māori people and its outstanding natural features). Three volcanoes – Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro – mark the southern limits of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, the horseshoe-shaped series of volcanic phenomena that make up the Pacific Ocean’s ‘Ring of Fire’.
Multiple small cascades along a tributory of the Whakapapanui Stream, next to the Lower Silica Rapids Track.
The Mangaturuturu Rapids is formed by the Mangaturuturu River cascading over an old lava flow.
Mangawhero Falls is a popular waterfall along the Mangawhero River, which is easily accessed from Okahune Mountain Road.
Ohakune Mountain Falls is small but picturesque waterfall along the Mangawhero River, which can be seen from the Waitonga Falls Track.
Waitonga Falls is the tallest waterfall in Tongariro National Park. For the best views and to see the entire waterfall, you need to rock-hop up the river.
A small cascade where the Whangaehu River has carved a deep gorge through an old lava flow, near the Ruapehu Round the Mountain Track
The Oturere Falls is a twin waterfall in the Oturere Valley, along the Tongariro Northern Circuit route.
The Soda Springs Falls are fed by a spring, and cascade down the head wall of the Mangatepopo Valley in the Tongariro National Park.
Cascade Falls is a small waterfall a short distance below the Taranaki Falls, just above a bridge across the Wairere Stream.
The Taranaki Falls is a picturesque waterfall in Tongariro National Park, where the Wairere Stream tumbles 20m over an old lava flow.