Tawhai Falls Waterfall
Picturesque waterfall in Tongariro National Park
A short walk from the Whakapapa car park, Tawhai Falls (Gollum's Pool in The Lord of the Rings) offers a handy roadside cascade; visitors come for the film location, quick photos, and nearby Tongariro tracks.
Tawhai Falls at a Glance#
How to Get to Tawhai Falls#
Tawhai Falls is a short walk from Whakapapa Village car parks in Tongariro National Park. It is easily combined with other short walks in the Whakapapa area.
Tips for Visiting Tawhai Falls#
- Park at Whakapapa Village and walk the short track to the waterfall-it's the same area as Taranaki Falls and easy to combine.
- Fans of The Lord of the Rings should note this is one of the small, photogenic waterfalls used around the national park in filming; check local guides for specific filming spots.
Best Time to Visit Tawhai Falls#
Tawhai Falls is easy to visit most of the year; winter weather can make approaches slippery and reduce visibility.
Weather & Climate near Tawhai Falls#
Tawhai Falls's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from -1°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1746 mm/year), wettest in September.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 7° - 20° | 14° | 121 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 7° - 20° | 14° | 105 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 6° - 18° | 12° | 136 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 15° | 7° | 114 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 1° - 11° | 3° | 165 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 0° - 9° | 1° | 159 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | -1° - 8° | 0° | 168 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | -1° - 9° | 1° | 146 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 1° - 11° | 2° | 176 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 3° - 14° | 5° | 123 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 4° - 16° | 10° | 167 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 6° - 18° | 12° | 166 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
