Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa) Waterfall
Waterfall known for seasonal rainbows and scenic cascades
Waterfall on the Kerikeri River with boardwalks and a historic stone bridge; visitors take short bush walks here, picnic by the pool and photograph the falls in the Bay of Islands area.
Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa) at a Glance#
Tips for Visiting Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa)#
- Visit early in the morning-shortly after sunrise-when light on the falls often produces the best colours and the small car park and walking track are least crowded.
- The falls are reached via a short, well‑signed walking track from the Kerikeri basin area; combine the visit with nearby Kerikeri sites (Stone Store/Basin) to make the most of a single stop.
- Look for viewpoints above the main drop: many visitors stop at the base only and miss the upper viewing platforms that give a different perspective of the cascade and pool.
Best Time to Visit Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa)#
Visit in New Zealand summer (December-February) or the shoulder seasons for warm, pleasant conditions and good waterfall viewing.
Summer
December-February · 18-25 °C
Warm and pleasant - good for waterfalls and outdoor walks, though some locations can be busy on holidays.
Shoulder seasons (autumn/spring)
March-May, September-November · 12-20 °C
Mild weather with fewer crowds and lush vegetation after rains in spring.
Winter
June-August · 8-15 °C
Cooler and drier; waterfalls still accessible but water flow may be lower in prolonged dry spells.
Weather & Climate near Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa)#
Climate
Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa)'s climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1423 mm/year), wettest in June.
Air Quality:
AQI 23
Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
24°
Warmest Month
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 15° - 23° | 19° | 93 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 16° - 24° | 20° | 113 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 14° - 22° | 18° | 123 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 13° - 20° | 16° | 94 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 128 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 9° - 16° | 12° | 162 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 8° - 15° | 11° | 162 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 8° - 15° | 12° | 141 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 9° - 17° | 13° | 130 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 10° - 18° | 14° | 99 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 12° - 20° | 16° | 87 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 14° - 22° | 18° | 91 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
