Marokopa Falls
Waterfall Spectacular waterfall on the Marokopa River
A short walk through native bush reaches a broad cascade on the Marokopa River; visitors come for the waterfall, riverside photos and easy forest tracks in the Auckland Region.
Marokopa Falls is a waterfall on New Zealand’s North Island near the small settlement of Marokopa, notable for a single-drop fall of roughly 35 m.
The main attraction is the waterfall itself - a broad curtain of water that drops into a steep, narrow gorge. There is a short walking track from the roadside car park to a fenced viewing platform, making the falls a popular stop for photographers and day-trippers.
The falls are a natural river feature created by erosion of the Marokopa River over time; there is no major engineered structure associated with them.
The falls sit on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island near the village of Marokopa.
- Height: About 35 m high, forming a broad curtain of water that falls into a narrow gorge.
- Access: Reached by a short walk from a nearby car park and viewed from a fenced platform and track.
How to Get to Marokopa Falls #
From Te Kūiti or Waitomo, follow State Highway 3 and local roads toward Marokopa village on the west coast; Marokopa Falls is a short drive north of the village. There is a small roadside car park and a clearly marked track to the viewing platform (short walk, under 10-20 minutes). Rural roads may be gravel; low-slung vehicles should take care after heavy rain.
Tips for Visiting Marokopa Falls #
- Park at the small roadside car park and follow the marked track to the viewing platform - the track is short but can be muddy after rain.
- Bring a telephoto or wide-angle lens: the falls are best photographed from the downstream platform where the stream curls into a broad plunge pool.
- Avoid the busiest hours mid-afternoon at weekends; early morning light through the valley makes for nicer photos.
Best Time to Visit Marokopa Falls #
Marokopa Falls is best visited outside peak holiday weekends to enjoy the short walk and views without crowds.
Weather & Climate near Marokopa Falls #
Marokopa Falls's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 4°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1733 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (165 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (168 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (168 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (152 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (183 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm).
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