Marokopa Falls Waterfall

Address: Marokopa Falls car park, near Marokopa, Waitomo District, New Zealand

Website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/marokopa-falls/

Hours: Open 24 hours (outdoor natural site)

Admission: Free

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.

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.

• 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.