Wainui Falls

Wainui Falls Track begins at Wainui Bay, northeast of Tākaka. From Tākaka, follow Abel Tasman Dr for 20 km to Wainui Bay. At Wainui Bay, continue to the head of the bay, cross Wainui River Bridge and turn right onto Wainui Falls Rd. The track car park is located a short distance down the road.

During the summer holiday period the track can be very busy and the car park is often full.

The majority of the track is located within Abel Tasman National Park.

The track begins along a farm road across the valley floor, before entering the bush alongside Wainui River. As the valley narrows, the track climbs up the hill slope above the true right of the river. Though narrow in a couple of parts, the track is mainly wide enough to allow people to pass in both directions. The bush is lush, with many ferns, vines and nikau. The track arrives at a suspension bridge which crosses to the true left. Below, Wainui River flows down among large granite boulders. The waterfall is located a few hundred metres beyond here.

Wainui Falls are 20 m high cascading falls. The track ends at a small concrete area that provides views of the waterfall. You can swim in the plunge pool, though there is a strong current flowing from the base of the waterfall. There are several pools further downstream that are good for swimming; you can access these by boulder-hopping down the river bed from the plunge pool.