Hunua falls is another waterfall in Auckland that is so popular it would be a crime to avoid writing about it. Hunua waterfall is a 3-meter-high cliff-side waterfall in South Auckland, not far from Papakura; it forms part of the Wairoa river and feeds into the Hauraki Gulf. Sitting within the wide Hunua Ranges in South Auckland. This south Auckland waterfall is visited by hundreds of keen swimmers every summer, with its easy and quick walk straight from the carpark, as well as its hikes and short bush walks Hunua falls are great for families or avid adventurers.

Hunua falls is a 3-meter-high cliff-side waterfall in South Auckland; it forms part of the Wairoa river and feeds into the Hauraki Gulf.

About Hunua Falls, Auckland

This South Auckland waterfall is incredibly popular in the height of summer with Aucklanders from all around the city visiting to take the plunge in the cold water. The short walk to the falls from the car park means it’s a great choice for families, and the various hikes around Hunua Ranges mean any keen adventure seeker is also thoroughly entertained. Sitting within a 20-minute drive from Papakura.

Dangers and Swimming at Hunua Waterfall

Hunua falls isn’t like most other waterfalls in Auckland where you can gently slip into the cold fresh water and float over towards the water plunging from the cliff above. Hunua waterfall has a terrible reputation for being a risky place to swim and is the location of several drownings over the past few years.
The constantly aerated water from the falls means the water is lacking buoyancy; making it harder to stay afloat. Pair that with the strong currents formed from the waterfall and you have a recipe for disaster. The pool itself is also almost a straight drop from the water’s edge so there are not any shallow areas to swim.

How to Get to Hunua Falls

Driving yourself to Hunua falls is pretty straight forward once you’re in Papakura; make your way to Hunua road and travel East for 13.9km and turn left onto White Road. Drive the short distance to turn right onto Falls road and follow the sign posts for Hunua Falls. The falls road end of the Hunua Ranges has a large carpark so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a place to park, but I would still suggest leaving early and carpooling in case it’s a particularly busy day and every Aucklander and his dog are out enjoying the weather.

Walking Tracks at Hunua Falls

There are 4 walking tracks in the Hunua ranges around Hunua falls, ranging from 800 meters to 8.3km in length. There’s a map at the Hunua falls carpark and suspension bridge entrance to guide you to each track and a short description of each walk. If you’re looking for a short day hike or an amazing adventure to get the blood pumping then Hunua falls is the place to be. The variety of tracks allows for any nature enthusiast of any skill or fitness level to enjoy the outdoors and south Auckland and dive head first into our native forests.

Hunua Falls Loop Track

Hunua Falls loop track is the shortest walk that takes to to either side of the lower pool. It’s a super easy walk and takes no more than 5 minutes, this Hunua walking track is accessible straight from the carpark and is only about 50-100 meters to get to the waters edge. The second short track takes you across the bridge to the other side of the pool. There is far more space on this side of the pool if you are wanting to sit down for a picnic or just want to sit and enjoy the view. Crossing the bridge to Hunua falls is also where you can access a variety of other walks and hikes through the Hunua Ranges to up above the waterfall.

Suspension Bridge Loop

This 3.9km long walk is combined with part of the Cossey-Massey Loop track. The track begins at the suspension bridge across the Wairoa stream. This track will take around an hour to complete and takes you through native forest and across to a great viewing platform with amazing views. I’m yet to explore this track, but the suspension bridge is a great place to stand if you want to a long view shot of Hunua Falls.

Wairoa Loop Track

Wairoa Loop track is the second longest track taking around 3 hours to complete at 6.2km long. Wairoa loop track takes you around Hunua falls which climbs to a viewing platform that looks across the Hunua Ranges and shows incredible views of the Wairoa reservoir. This is another track I haven’t explored yet but it’s definitely on my adventure list to explore this summer. So keep coming back if you want some photos of the track!

Cossey-Massey Loop

Cossey-Massey Loop is the longest walking track in Hunua ranges at 8.3km long. It will take you around 3 hours to complete. But lets be honest, these times are usually just a ‘guide’ and are timed to slow walkers. The Cossey-Massey walk includes stream crossings, giant Kauri trees and amazing views across the Hunua ranges.

For more information on Hunua walking tracks, check the Hunua Ranges map. Remember to always scrub and spray your shoes at all of the cleaning stations based at the beginning and end of every walk. Aotearoas’ native Kauri trees are under attack from a non-curable disease, and at the moment the only way to prevent it is to stop the spread via shoes and hiking equipment.

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Other Auckland Waterfalls Worth Visiting

If you want to start your summer right and explore as many amazing places and native land in Auckland then seeing as many waterfalls as possible is a great place to start. These are my favourite waterfalls to explore in West Auckland and they call me back every summer for a bit of mindful refreshing and unwinding. Each waterfall is extremely photogenic so if you’re a budding photographer you will get some amazing shots during golden hour or if the sun is low and shining through the forest canopy.

Kitekite Falls

If you’ve been following me for a while then you’ll know I will never pass up a chance to mention this amazing waterfall that sits in the heart of west Auckland. Kitekite Falls is a multi-layered waterfall sitting close to the wild Piha Beach makes for a great opportunity for adventure and exercise. The 30-minute (minimum) walk to the base of the falls provides an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in some of New Zealand’s nature floral and fauna, and rewards you with one of the best freshwater dips you’ll experience. My favourite part of the track is following it up to the very top of the falls that overlooks the forest floor. If you come here on a busy weekend you will find that many of the large groups and families tend to stay down the bottom, so if you want a bit more space or privacy then climb the last leg to the top and take some selfish selfies to your hearts content. Click here for some more information on Kitekite Falls

Karekare Falls

Where would my love for adventure and nature come from if it wasn’t for West Auckland? Karekare Falls is another great waterfall to visit if you find yourself near Piha Beach. This was my first great love when it comes to West Auckland waterfalls and my introduction to my enjoyment of exploring Aucklands’ rainforest. Much like Kitekite falls, Karekare sits close to another wild west coast beach however Karekare falls is more easily accessible for those with young families or less than an ideal fitness level because of its short walk from the carpark. Worth the visit but the carpark gets full very quickly so I would get in early! The water is of course fresh and is great to dip your toes or to chuck on your swimmers and go for a paddle. This track is dog friendly but just remember to not let them roam freely through the bush due to the risk of them spreading Kauri dieback disease with their feet. Click here for some more information on Karekare Falls.

Makarora Falls

Makarora falls and Goldies track is another great waterfall to see in Auckland, however the last time I checked the track was still closed for improvements to help reduce the spread of Kauri Die-back disease. So before you head to this other amazing waterfall in Auckland check the DOC website to see if it’s still open! Otherwise the track takes around 20 minutes and takes you to a viewing platform looking down onto Makarora falls, this waterfall isn’t for swimming in because of the large rock falls that have happened over the years, but it’s still a great place to visit for a day out in the sun.