Maraetotara Falls
Maraetotara Falls
4.5
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4.5
63 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
22
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
NickyP54
Bargara, Australia1,545 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Why oh why has this beautiful spot been allowed to be spoilt with so much discarded rubbish, from food wrappings and empty bottles to old togs and clothes? The contrast between this and the pristine watercourse which flows from the abandoned hydro electric scheme dam is stark in the extreme. There are several small roadside parks which all lead down via a series of paths (not suitable for the elderly) which interconnect near the stream bed and lead to a deep plunge pool beneath the dam. A group of young Maori lads were having a fantastic time diving from the rocky dam ledge and rope swinging into the deepest sections. If you fancy a less hair raising experience, try a swim, where it's a good idea to wear reef shoes. I hope that particular bunch of lads took all their waste and belongings with them and either the Council and/or DoC look to take up the reigns of managing the environment of this treasure a little better.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clare K
Auckland, New Zealand37 contributions
Jan 2020
Very lovely falls with a pool to swim in on a good day. There were teenage kids jumping from a rope swing into the water but looked a bit dangerous. Short steepish walk down to the falls but easily doable. Not suitable for pushchairs.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stuart T
Christchurch, New Zealand24 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Decided to pop out to see these falls. It’s about a 10 minute drive to get the the parking spot.
Now on the parking spot. When we googled the falls we were thinking there would be signage and designated spaces. There isn’t. If you are driving up the hill to get there keep an eye out on the right hand side of the road for a small toilet like building (it is a toilet) and there are parking spaces there.
There is no sign telling you this is the spot for the falls so park and head down the track. You do downhill for about 1 minute and can then turn left or right. Go left and keep walking. It talks probably 5 mins (if that) to walk there. It’s an easy walk and well worth it.
The falls are really nice. They are not huge, I suspect falling 10 to 15 metres but a lot of water coming over and there is a large pool at the bottom. We were there in winter so did not swim, but I imagine in summer it would be a great place for a dip. When we arrive there were some people drying off their dogs so they clearly thought the pools were great.
If you are looking for more of a walk you can move away from the falls back to the junction I mentioned and walk further down hill following the stream.
To get here you have to pass Black Barn, Te Mata and Craggy Range vineyards so all the exercise probably deserves a treat afterwards
A good spot and well worth a visit
Now on the parking spot. When we googled the falls we were thinking there would be signage and designated spaces. There isn’t. If you are driving up the hill to get there keep an eye out on the right hand side of the road for a small toilet like building (it is a toilet) and there are parking spaces there.
There is no sign telling you this is the spot for the falls so park and head down the track. You do downhill for about 1 minute and can then turn left or right. Go left and keep walking. It talks probably 5 mins (if that) to walk there. It’s an easy walk and well worth it.
The falls are really nice. They are not huge, I suspect falling 10 to 15 metres but a lot of water coming over and there is a large pool at the bottom. We were there in winter so did not swim, but I imagine in summer it would be a great place for a dip. When we arrive there were some people drying off their dogs so they clearly thought the pools were great.
If you are looking for more of a walk you can move away from the falls back to the junction I mentioned and walk further down hill following the stream.
To get here you have to pass Black Barn, Te Mata and Craggy Range vineyards so all the exercise probably deserves a treat afterwards
A good spot and well worth a visit
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna G
Florence, Italy48 contributions
Feb 2020
Once we got there we could see people like to come here. However being used to the high standards in which all public places are kept in NZ I was disappointed by the litter, and the lack of any safety measure such as railing.
I don't believe it is suitable for families with young children.
I don't believe it is suitable for families with young children.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
howmanyroads19
21 contributions
Dec 2020
A short, easy walk to a lovely waterfall. Lots of people were enjoying the water and jumping off the falls. It is definitely worth a stop. The path is not difficult but is uneven and would not be suitable for prams, wheelchairs etc.
Written 21 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg T
Gisborne Region, New Zealand228 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
Maraetotara Falls, are a hidden gem,out Havelock North way.
A short stroll, along the track, you can hear the water. Worth a discover.Totara tree growing in the rock is an awesome sight.
A short stroll, along the track, you can hear the water. Worth a discover.Totara tree growing in the rock is an awesome sight.
Written 17 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelwgtn
Wellington, New Zealand55 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
The falls are only a short few steps away from the road - there's not much parking, enough room at the entryway for 2 or 3 cars. Once you enter and take maybe a dozen steps you can see the falls. There is a swimming hole and a rope swing also. We did not swim, but the falls were beautiful. Not too far down that entranceway there is another for the trail walk - that is also nice, mostly in bush with views of the waterway. Very quiet when we were there, only saw one other couple.
Written 18 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle A
Lincolnshire, UK90 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Lovely water fall with swimming hole. We visited in spring so not had a chance to go and do a summer swim yet. Was a little nervous of leaving stuff in car though.
Written 6 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MadamHooch01
Auckland, New Zealand74 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
You will need a car to get here as it is out of town but well worth the visit. We visited on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) and it was busy. You have to walk down the track which is reasonably steep so no wheel chair access. The short walk is rewarded by swimming hole fed by the water fall. When we visited there were lots of family groups having picnics on the river bank, lots of swimmers and for the more daring the jumpers. The jumpers entertained everyone by jumping off the water fall or off the rope swing. We spent a pleasant hour in the shade of the trees and bush. Be warned the water is Very Cold but no one seemed to care. Nice Place
Written 29 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
exile66
Havelock North, New Zealand110 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
It's away from civilization, and parking's limited, but it's not usually that busy, so it's worth a try. Beautiful riverside walk in the wooded valley, attractive falls, and swimming holes for those hot, hot, Hawke's Bay summer days. The site is pretty easy to access, although maybe a bit of an issue for wheelchairs, although buggies should be OK with patience.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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