Wainui Falls and River

Wainui Falls is an easy ½ hour walk but you can take your time.

• Time: 30 mins

• Distance: 1.5km

A stunning native bush track along the Wainui River leads to Wainui Falls, the largest falls in Golden Bay.

They are just five minutes drive from Golden Bay Hideaway - pack for a picnic and a swim.

From the carpark the track crosses farmland for a short distance before entering forest and climbing rapidly to a point where you see the river surprisingly far below. Here you walk through a forest of nikau palms, rata trees and ferns. Keep a lookout for a possible sighting of the giant snail, Powelliphanta. Look but don’t touch!

A few minutes after crossing the swing bridge over the Wainui River your will hear the falls before they suddenly appear, usually curtained in spray.