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 · Tasman District
Wainui Falls
Wainui Falls is a 20-metre waterfall in Wainui Bay, in the Tasman region of New Zealand. The waterfall is part of the Wainui River and cascades over granite bedrock into a deep pool at its base.
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.
Wainui Falls drops 20 metres (66 ft) on the Wainui River. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Tasman District, New Zealand. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
Also good forHikingPhotographyWildlife & safari
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 Tasman District, New Zealand
- Country New Zealand
- Region Tasman District, New Zealand, Oceania
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Wainui Falls
New Zealand
Height20 mWidth—
Most similar
Millaa Millaa Falls
Australia
Height18 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and with swimming
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
18 m
20 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Millaa Millaa FallsWainui FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 49× taller than Wainui Falls. Victoria Falls is 5.4× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Wainui 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
-40.84854, 172.92841
Quick answers
Where is Wainui Falls?
Wainui Falls is in New Zealand (Tasman District). The nearest base is Tasman District, New Zealand. Its coordinates are -40.8485, 172.9284.
How tall is Wainui Falls?
Wainui Falls drops 20 metres (66 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Wainui River.
When is the best time to visit Wainui 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 Wainui Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: swimming, hiking, photography and wildlife & safari. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
Can you swim at Wainui Falls?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Wainui Falls, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
How do you get to Wainui Falls?
The usual base is Tasman District, New Zealand. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
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