NELSON TRAILS

Wainui Falls

Abel Tasman National Park

Wainui Falls Track is a short walk to Wainui Falls, located in Abel Tasman National Park, in Golden Bay. The popular track passes through lush bush and past enticing swimming spots on Wainui River, on the way to the 20 m high falls.

Details
Length 3.8 km return
Time Required 1 hr – 1 hr 30 min return
Trail Type Walking track
Physical Difficulty Easy   
Uses Walking
Direction Return (out and back)
Dog Access Dogs are prohibited in Abel Tasman National Park
Amenities There is a toilet at the car park. Bring your own water; drinking water from Wainui River carries health risks.


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Connections

Wainui Falls Track does not connect to any other tracks.

Access

  1 hr 45 min from Nelson | 25 min from Takaka

 

Wainui Falls Track begins at Wainui Bay, northeast of Takaka. From Takaka, follow Abel Tasman Drive 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.

 

There is a toilet at the car park. During the summer holiday period the track can be very busy, so do not be surprised to find the car park is full at this time.

 

The majority of the track is located within Abel Tasman National Park and is administered by DOC.

Description

The track starts off 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. There is steep drop to the river below, so it is important to keep children supervised here. 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 concreted area that provides a great view 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.

 

Return the way you came.

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Wainui Falls
Abel Tasman National Park

Wainui Falls Track is a short walk to Wainui Falls, located in Abel Tasman National Park, in Golden Bay. The popular track passes through lush bush and past enticing swimming spots on Wainui River, on the way to the 20 m high falls.

Details
Length 3.8 km return
Time Required 1 hr – 1 hr 30 min return walking
Trail Type Walking track
Physical Difficulty Easy   
Uses Walking
Direction Return (out and back)
Dog Access Dogs are prohibited in Abel Tasman National Park
Amenities There is a toilet at the car park. Bring your own water; drinking water from Wainui River carries health risks.

 

Access

  1 hr 45 min from Nelson | 25 min from Takaka

 

Wainui Falls Track begins at Wainui Bay, northeast of Takaka. From Takaka, follow Abel Tasman Drive 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.

 

There is a toilet at the car park. During the summer holiday period the track can be very busy, so do not be surprised to find the car park is full at this time.

 

The majority of the track is located within Abel Tasman National Park and is administered by DOC.

Description

The track starts off 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. There is steep drop to the river below, so it is important to keep children supervised here. 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 concreted area that provides a great view 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.

 

Return the way you came.

Connections

Wainui Falls Track does not connect to any other tracks.

Updated 29 January 2019