Mokoroa Falls
Waterfall Forest waterfall and swimming spot near Auckland
Set in the Waitakere Ranges near Auckland, Mokoroa Falls reward walkers with cascades, forest tracks and rock pools popular for short swims.
Mokoroa Falls is a waterfall in the Auckland Region of New Zealand located within the forested area of the Waitakere Ranges. It is a local natural attraction reached on foot via marked walking tracks.
The site offers a short bush walk through native kauri and mixed broadleaf forest that finishes at the waterfall and a small pool. The setting is compact and forested rather than a large scenic overlook, so visits are typically short walks and photography stops.
The falls and surrounding tracks lie within the traditional lands of Tāmaki Makaurau iwi and later became part of the regional park network managed for recreation and native forest protection. Tracks and visitor access have been maintained and occasionally rerouted for conservation and safety.
The falls sit in the western Auckland hill country of the Waitakere Ranges, west of central Auckland, within regional parkland that is reached by road from the Auckland metropolitan area. Parking and trailheads are at nearby park access points.
- Access: Accessible via walking tracks inside the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park; the track can be muddy after rain so wear sturdy shoes.
- When to go: Best visited after moderate rainfall when the falls have stronger flow; avoid during heavy rain due to track and stream hazards.
Tips for Visiting Mokoroa Falls #
- Check the Auckland Council website for current track status and kauri-protection rules before you go - parts of the Waitakere/West Auckland network close intermittently and require footwear cleaning to protect kauri.
- Avoid visiting immediately after heavy rain: the Mokoroa Falls track can become very slippery and sections may be impassable or washed out, so aim for a dry spell and start early to let tracks dry out.
- Use the designated trailhead and carpark shown on council maps rather than guessing roadside access; parking at popular West Auckland trailheads is limited and enforcement is common.
Best Time to Visit Mokoroa Falls #
Visit in winter-spring for the best waterfall flow; summer offers easier hiking but lower water levels.
Weather & Climate near Mokoroa Falls #
Mokoroa Falls's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1356 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (141 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).