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Key facts
- Distance
- 800 m return via same track
- Walking time
- 15 min
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Tongariro National Park / Whakapapa Village area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This is an easy short walk to the popular Tawhai Falls a short drive from Whakapapa Village.
This DOC directory entry covers Tawhai Falls Track in Central North Island, within Tongariro National Park / Whakapapa Village area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 800 m return via same track
- Walking time: 15 min
- DOC grade: Easiest
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The track leads down to a viewing point near the top of Tawhai Falls, where you can watch the river tumble over the edge of an ancient lava flow.
There is then the option to continue down more steps to the river’s edge, where there is a view of the river and a more distant view of the falls. The river is fast-flowing and the rocks on the riverbank can be slippery. Supervise children at all times.
The return walk to the carpark is via the same track.
The river floods rapidly in wet weather. Stay away from the river when it is flooding (e.g. if it is high, fast, murky or loud).
Getting there
The carpark is located on SH48 approximately 4 km from the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre.
We recommend visiting early or later in the day, as this track is popular and the car park gets busy. Come back later if the car park is full, avoid parking on the state highway.
Know before you go
No drones
Flying a drone without a permit is strictly prohibited.
Drone use on conservation land
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
