There are many spectacular waterfalls across the 23 nations that make up Oceania, including many Pacific Islands. (The list below excludes Australia, which gets its own page).
The list below is sorted by (my subjective) rating in descending order – so highest-rated falls/swimming spots at the top!
Afu Aau Waterfall (Olemoe Falls) is a series of spectacular cascades and swimming holes, situated in a rainforest setting.
- Type of waterfall: Cascade, Plunge, Segmented
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Access road off South Coast Road
An impressive and tall waterfall in New Zealand's Fjiordland, Earland Falls is located along the Routeburn Track. It can also be reached via a daywalk from The Divide.
- Fiordland National Park
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail
- Total drop: 174
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Start from The Divide on State Highway 94
A powerful waterfall that plunges into a pool surrounded by rainforest, you can also swim at the top of Fuipisia Waterfall.
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 55
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Signposted on Le Mafa Pass Road
A series of smaller cascades, culminating in the tallest waterfall with a drop of about 35m. A walking trail (entry fee applies) follows the Mele Cascades up to the top falls.
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail
- Total drop: 35
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Mele Cascades is about 12km north-west of Port Vila
The only tidefall in Samoa, Mu Pagoa Waterfall is formed by the Lata River plunging over a lava cliff into the ocean.
- Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Access from South Coast Road
Papaseea Sliding Rocks is a popular swimming spot near Apia, with four beautiful cascades and natural water holes along the Papase’ea Stream.
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 20
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Off Maugafolau Rd in Apia
A beautiful and secluded waterfall, Sauniatu Waterfall drops into a crystal-clear swimming hole.
- Type of waterfall: Chute
- Total drop: 20
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Trail from road near Sauniatu village
The Taranaki Falls is a picturesque waterfall in Tongariro National Park, where the Wairere Stream tumbles 20m over an old lava flow.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 20
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Taranaki Falls Walk from Ngauruhoe Terrace in Whakapapa Village
Togitogiga Waterfall is a beautiful series of cascades and swimming holes in O Le Pupu Pue National Park, reached by a short walk.
- O Le Pupu Pu'e National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge, Segmented
- Total drop: 10
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Access road off Main South Coast Road
The Tutea Falls is located along the Kaituna River, along the Okere Falls walking track. It's the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world.
- Okere Falls Scenic Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 7
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Carpark and walking trail off Trout Pool Road
The Kaituna Falls is located along the Kaituna River, with easy access to a viewing platform.
- Okere Falls Scenic Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 5
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Carpark and walking trail at end of Trout Pool Road
The Mangaturuturu Rapids is formed by the Mangaturuturu River cascading over an old lava flow.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 30
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Moderate
- Round the Mountain Trail from Ohakune Mountain Road
The Okere Falls is located along the Kaituna River, with easy access to a viewing platform, and the Okere Falls Jump for brave swimmers!
- Okere Falls Scenic Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Cataract
- Total drop: 5
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Carpark and walking trail off Trout Pool Road
The Routeburn Left Branch drops over 700m from Lake Harris to the valley below. Routeburn Falls is near the bottom, where the plunges over multiple cliffs.
- Fiordland National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade, Segmented
- Total drop: 40
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Start from Routeburn Shelter at the end of Routeburn Road
A tall waterfall surrounded by rainforest, the viewing area for Sopo'aga Falls is located just off the Main South Coast Road.
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 55
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Signposted on Main South Coast Road
Falefa Falls is a small waterfall that drops into Falefa Bay. You can swim here, as well as view the falls.
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 12
- Rating: 3
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Signposted on Richardson Road
A wide, horseshoe shaped waterfall, Haruru Falls is formed by the Waitangi River dropping into a wide lagoon.
- Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge
- Total drop: 5
- Rating: 3
- Ease of access: Easy
- Haururu Falls & Waitangi track carpark next to Haururu Falls Road
Mangawhero Falls is a popular waterfall along the Mangawhero River, which is easily accessed from Okahune Mountain Road.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 28
- Rating: 3
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail from Okahune Mountain Road
The tallest waterfall in Samoa, Papapapaitai Falls can be seen from a viewing area along the Cross Island Road.
- Type of waterfall: Cascade, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 100
- Rating: 3
- Ease of access: Easy
- Signposted lookout along Cross Island Road
Tawhai Falls, a filming location in the Lord of the Rings, is reached via a short walk.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 13
- Rating: 3
- Ease of access: Easy
- Carpark is 4km below Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre
The Wairere Falls or Te Wairoa Falls is a 30m waterfall within the Buied Village, accessed by a short walk.
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail
- Total drop: 30
- Rating: 2.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail inside Buried Village of Te Wairoa
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.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 39
- Rating: 2.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Trail 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.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge, Segmented
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 2
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail from Okahune Mountain Road
Cascade Falls is a small waterfall a short distance below the Taranaki Falls, just above a bridge across the Wairere Stream.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Rating: 1.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Taranaki Falls Walk from Ngauruhoe Terrace in Whakapapa Village
Multiple small cascades along a tributory of the Whakapapanui Stream, next to the Lower Silica Rapids Track.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 2
- Rating: 1.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail from State Highway 48 (200m south of Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre)
The Oturere Falls is a twin waterfall in the Oturere Valley, along the Tongariro Northern Circuit route.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Segmented
- Rating: 1.5
- Ease of access: Moderate
- Tongariro Northern Circuit from Whakapapa Village
A small cascade where the Whangaehu River has carved a deep gorge through an old lava flow, near the Ruapehu Round the Mountain Track
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 5
- Rating: 1.5
- Ease of access: Hard
- Round the Mountain trail from Whakapapa
The Soda Springs Falls are fed by a spring, and cascade down the head wall of the Mangatepopo Valley in the Tongariro National Park.
- Tongariro National Park
- Type of waterfall: Segmented
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 1
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- From end of Mangatepopo Road (limited and restricted parking in peak periods)
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