31. Taupo - Huka Falls

Tuesday 9 January

After we left Wai-O-Tapu, we stopped at a place called Rock'n'Ropes - a couple of adventurous souls had a go. The weather had turned nasty and I remember siting on some sort of verandah until it wastime to get back on the bus.


The next stop was Huka Falls. The name Huka is the Māori word for 'foam', which is appropriate as the falling water and rapids certainly resembles foam, especially under flooding conditions.

Huka Falls

It was an incredible sight - and sound, as more than 220,000 litres of water per second comes gushing down.

Huka Falls

At the Huka Falls, the Waikato River which is normally 100m wide, is squeezed through a 20 metre wide gorge and over a 20m drop.
Every second up to 220,000 litres of water gushes through the gorge and shoots out over 8 metres beyond to create a beautful blue/green pool.



Huka Falls Bridge

Huka Falls is located in Wairakei Park. This is only a short 5 minute drive north of Lake Taupo. This pedestrian bridge gives a marvelous view of the falls and is a very good place for photography.