DK Eyewitness New ZealandDK Eyewitness
Guidebook
DK Eyewitness New Zealand
DK Eyewitness · 2024
Illustrated maps and regional chapters, helpful for planning a road trip between Taupo, Waitomo and Fiordland.
New Zealand · Clutha District
Purakaunui Falls
The Purakaunui Falls are a cascading three-tiered waterfall on the Purakaunui River, in The Catlins of the southern South Island of New Zealand. As one of very few South Island waterfalls away from the alpine region, it has long been a popular destination and photographic subject.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Purakaunui Falls drops over a series of steps on the Purakaunui River. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Clutha District, New Zealand. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a tiered waterfall, a series of distinct drops, one below the other.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Purakaunui Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Clutha District are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring, September to December, pairs snowmelt or winter rain with lengthening days; autumn (April to May) is the quieter second season.
Getting there
- Base town Clutha District, New Zealand
- Country New Zealand
- Region Clutha District, New Zealand, Oceania
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Purakaunui Falls
New Zealand
Height—Width—
Most similar
Russell Falls
Australia
Height45 mWidth—
Also a tiered waterfall and in Australia
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
45 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Russell FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
We don't have a reliable crest width for Purakaunui Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
Moon New ZealandJamie Christian Desplaces
Guidebook
Moon New Zealand
Jamie Christian Desplaces · 2024
Built around road trips and the Great Walks, a good fit if you're combining the Milford Track with North Island falls.
Guidebook
Lonely Planet New Zealand
Lonely Planet · 2023
The 21st edition covers Fiordland, Milford Sound, Taupo and the Waikato, so it handles every NZ fall on this site.
The Rough Guide to New ZealandRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to New Zealand
Rough Guides · 2023
A current second opinion on routes and stays, with good coverage of the Waikato and the road into Milford Sound.
On the map
-46.52041, 169.56321
Quick answers
Where is Purakaunui Falls?
Purakaunui Falls is in New Zealand (Clutha District). The nearest base is Clutha District, New Zealand. Its coordinates are -46.5204, 169.5632.
When is the best time to visit Purakaunui Falls?
Peak flow is September to December. Spring, September to December, pairs snowmelt or winter rain with lengthening days; autumn (April to May) is the quieter second season.
What can you do at Purakaunui Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Purakaunui Falls?
The usual base is Clutha District, New Zealand. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Purakaunui Falls
McLean Falls
New Zealand · 22 m · 17 km away
The McLean Falls on the Tautuku River in Catlins Forest Park descend a number of steep drop offs and…
Helena Falls
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Lady Alice Falls
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Lady Alice Falls is a tall waterfall in Fiordland, New Zealand. It drops either 656 or 919 feet .
Browne Falls
New Zealand · 836 m · 230 km away
Browne Falls is a waterfall above Doubtful Sound, which is located in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.…