Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls
4.5
About
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Rainbow Falls and nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
52 within 5 kms
Attractions
28 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- CraigH0901Adelaide, Australia1,349 contributionsQuick and EasyEasy walk from the carpark - a minute to the first lookout and another minute to the second. Take a longer walk (maybe 5 minutes) to the pool at the base of the falls for a really good photo. You can swim in the pool under the falls as well. No cost. The walking is on well defined tracks and isn't very difficult.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 February 2024
- Max S3 contributionsJust greatVisiting the waterfall in Kerikeri was an absolute highlight of our trip! The natural beauty of the falls is breathtaking, with crystal-clear water cascading into a serene pool surrounded by lush greenery. The setting feels like a hidden paradise, perfect for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike. The walking paths are well-maintained and offer fantastic viewpoints, allowing you to enjoy the falls from multiple perspectives. It’s also an easy and accessible hike, making it suitable for all ages. We appreciated how peaceful the area was, offering a tranquil escape from busier tourist spots. If you’re in Kerikeri, this waterfall is an absolute must-visit – a true gem that showcases the stunning landscapes of New Zealand!Visited January 2025Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 January 2025
- Yip Yip45 contributionsNice little waterfallBeautiful waterfall, not too crowded at midday! Can see the falls from three viewpoints. The one at the bottom of the falls provides the best views and isn't difficult to get to. If you want photos, make sure to time your visit depending on the position of the sun.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 February 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
882 reviews
Excellent
536
Very good
296
Average
48
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Michael P
Washington DC, DC80 contributions
Jan 2020
The falls are a quick walk from the carpark - the falls are a park and require no admission. Falls are nice; there is a downhill bush walk to the river. Wild Chickens in the car park, if you're into that. Good picnic area, plenty of shade. Parents need to keep an eye on children near the falls - there are railing on the path but not by the viewing area.
Written 18 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.
Christine
33 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Recommended to us by a local and so pleased we took his advice. Short walks from the free car park through lush trees and ferns to the viewing points of the falls and pool. We were lucky to see the falls in full flow after recent heavy rain and to see the rainbows too as it was a lovely sunny day.
Written 9 January 2023
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.
DRMB
Bongaree, Australia1,951 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Short distance from Kerikeri but not well signposted. In gps we found rainbow falls road and Lo and behold !! Disappointingly although there are lots of signs warning about not carrying kauri die back germs in and providing foot ware disinfectant stations we saw England accented people laughing and joking and jumping over these as a bit of a joke. Shame on them. Also unfortunate that the small pool below the falls is covered in blue green algae.
Written 13 March 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.
Garny_65
Preston, UK417 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We’re were Stopping close by so drove to the car park and walked a few hundred yards to see these falls.
They’re nice waterfalls and the surroundings quite picturesque but there are far nicer places to visit.
The bush walk up may enhance the experience but the stroll from the car park failed to do so.
They’re nice waterfalls and the surroundings quite picturesque but there are far nicer places to visit.
The bush walk up may enhance the experience but the stroll from the car park failed to do so.
Written 18 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.
HENK V
Palm Grove, Australia218 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
One of the prettiest waterfalls in the area and a good place for teenagers to adults to swim in summer. I wouldn't say it was suitable for small children at all, a bit more adventurous than that but they certainly could watch.
The walk to Kerikeri Stone Store is excellent and not difficult but it is a little over 4km each way. We did it in 3 hours with plenty of stops.
A surprise part was the old power station driven from the water race up stream. A few photographs of the generator in action in its day would add to the effect
The walk to Kerikeri Stone Store is excellent and not difficult but it is a little over 4km each way. We did it in 3 hours with plenty of stops.
A surprise part was the old power station driven from the water race up stream. A few photographs of the generator in action in its day would add to the effect
Written 7 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.
kiwi3mfs
Sandspit, New Zealand76 contributions
Mar 2020
The Rainbow Falls are pretty impressive even at the end of a dry summer. I walked from here down the track to the Stone Store, up to Koropipo Pa and then along the Wairoa stream track to the Wairere Falls. A great walk which took me about 100 minutes.
Written 13 March 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.
warrenjog
New Plymouth, New Zealand40 contributions
Dec 2019
A nice easy walk takes you to the viewing platform of these pretty impressive falls. Its an easy walk both up to the top of the falls and down to the waters edge. People were swimming at the bottom, but we didn't feel the urge to go for a quick dip!
Written 6 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.
BZONCE
Auckland, New Zealand998 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Beautiful waterfall that has three viewing points/decks from the top which are all an easy walk for anyone.
Going down to view the waterfall or swim in you’re game is a little harder just due to the slope going down so keep it in mind for those who might struggle coming back up.
Every view is lovely and worth the walk around, we did a little bit of the bush walk but ran out of time unfortunately so didn’t get to complete it or go right in there, definitely well worth the stop.
Going down to view the waterfall or swim in you’re game is a little harder just due to the slope going down so keep it in mind for those who might struggle coming back up.
Every view is lovely and worth the walk around, we did a little bit of the bush walk but ran out of time unfortunately so didn’t get to complete it or go right in there, definitely well worth the stop.
Written 5 February 2021
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.
Harvey F
Perth, Australia211 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Still well worth a swim under the waterfalls. Only two waterfalls in January when we were there. Better in winter. Do 4km walk up from stone store and then get a left out from falls car park or walk back out.
Written 3 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.
bobbitybob2017
Otago Region, New Zealand28 contributions
Dec 2019
This waterfall is incredible, the walk through to it is easy. On the way down, you walk through a garden. It may look better after a rainfall. We took some lovely photos here. Impressive waterfall.
Take NOTE of the trees, there is a plaque which says they have planted 61 trees, in memory of those people who lost their lives in the Christchurch mosque shooting.
Take NOTE of the trees, there is a plaque which says they have planted 61 trees, in memory of those people who lost their lives in the Christchurch mosque shooting.
Written 18 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.
Tricky but feasible if you have another pair of hands for the last bit
Written 4 April 2019
Jane S
Nelson-Tasman Region, New Zealand
Hi wondering if there is wheelchair assess down to the Rainbow Falls
Written 24 October 2017
The viewing points are east as they are on the flat. Access to the pool below the falls is difficult as it is down a steep path but doable if there are two of you
Written 1 April 2019
I think you got two places mixed up. The Karekare falls near Auckland, while also lovely, are not the same as the Rainbow Falls at Kerikeri, many many miles north of Auckland. Perhaps you can get TripAdvisor to move the review?
Written 10 October 2017
I review the right place, and I was in Keri Keri, not Auckland for this review :) no need to move he review.
Written 22 January 2018
Hi! I am planning to be here in August. In that time, it is winter. I am afraid of cold weather. Is it Ok to swim in August and to drive to get there? Thank you so much!!
Written 24 June 2017
It should be OK to drive there but I would expect it to be way too cold for swimming unless you are a penguin.
Written 24 June 2017
Disembarking cruise ship on Sunday 23/4 Bay of Islands at 10am in the Bay of Islands.
What we would like to know: how can we organise to do the walk to Rainbow Waterfalls?
What we've read is that we need to catch a bus to Keri Keri then find the Historic Stone Store where the track to Rainbow Falls starts and that track will take us via the river and Wharepuke Falls and the Fairy Ponds.
Is the right?
Anybody know about buses schedules on a Sunday?
I'd appreciate any feedback regarding my query please. We would like to see this part of Bay of Islands if we can.
Written 7 March 2017
You are right on. Great that you are doing the full walk.
Stonestore is the best stating point.
Written 14 March 2017
Hi, how close by car is the car park for these falls to The Parrot Place? Are they nearby each other? Thanks!!
Written 13 December 2015
It's a 2 minutes drive or 7 minutes walk. Once you a there you have a 20 minutes walk on the Kerikeri Walkway. It's an interesting walk but a bit up and down but plenty to see in the landscape.
Written 14 December 2015
Hi,
Rainbow falls look lovely!
We are thinking of coming here from cruise ship terminal.
What would be the best transport (rental car, is there public transport etc) from the port, and how long would it take?
Is the path down to the pool suitable for a 4-yr-old - how long is the walk (ie how much carrying might we need to do!!) :)
And lastly, is it feasible to combine with a trip to the Parrot Place - are they close?
Thank you so much!!
Written 11 November 2015
Hi, yes if you are travelling from Paihia it would pay to rent a car...15 minutes drive. Go to the Rainbow falls from the Waipapa rd end. It is too far to take a 4 yr old from the Stone Store end. .. Then its not far at all from there to go to the Parrot place. Hope this helps, don't hesitate to ask anything else.
Written 12 November 2015
Are there all included (food, alcohol) packages available?
Written 22 January 2015
Best to ask i site at Keri keri
Written 13 November 2015
Showing results 1-8 of 8
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing