About this place
A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls
Johnny T. Cheng · 2006
A guidebook devoted entirely to NZ waterfalls, with access notes; older, but still the only book on the subject.
New Zealand · Waikato, North Island
Wairere Falls
The North Island's tallest waterfall drops off the Kaimai Range in a single dramatic plunge, reached by a forest track that climbs steeply to a lookout roughly level with the top of the falls. It sits a short drive from Matamata, better known to many travelers as the real-world home of Hobbiton.
The North Island's tallest waterfall Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Wairere Falls drops 153 metres (502 ft) on the Wairere Stream, inside Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Matamata, with HLZ the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Wairere Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Matamata are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring and autumn give clear, mild conditions for the steep forest climb to the upper viewpoint.
Entry: Free
Getting there
- Base town Matamata
- Airport HLZ
- Country New Zealand
- Region Waikato, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Wairere Falls
New Zealand
Height153 mWidth—
Most similar
Bowen Falls
New Zealand
Height162 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in New Zealand too
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
108 m
153 m
162 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsWairere FallsBowen FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 6.4× taller than Wairere Falls. It drops 1.4× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Wairere Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Wairere Falls
8:15
9:24
11:58
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
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.
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.
On the map
-37.7342, 175.8796
Quick answers
Where is Wairere Falls?
Wairere Falls is in New Zealand (Waikato, North Island), inside Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park. The nearest base is Matamata and the closest airport is HLZ. Its coordinates are -37.7342, 175.8796.
How tall is Wairere Falls?
Wairere Falls drops 153 metres (502 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Wairere Stream.
When is the best time to visit Wairere Falls?
Peak flow is March to April and October to November. Spring and autumn give clear, mild conditions for the steep forest climb to the upper viewpoint.
What can you do at Wairere 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 Wairere Falls?
The usual base is Matamata, and the closest airport is HLZ. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Free.
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