One of the many attractions of New Zealand is its scenery and natural wonders, including more than 1500 waterfalls. Some of these waterfalls are transient, only appearing after heavy rain. Not so the Bridal Veil Falls (also known as Waireinga), in the Waikato region. These have been a permanent feature of the landscape for more than two million years.
Look closely and you’ll see a rainbow at the base of the Bridal Veil Falls
In Search of the Bridal Veil Falls
It took us longer to find the Bridal Veil Falls than it should have done. That’s mainly because we took the “scenic” route via Kawhia. I don’t recommend this, unless you have a penchant for long drives along unsealed roads, with no phone signal for emergencies… As we discovered when we left, it is very much easier to drive the 28 km from Raglan, a laid-back surf town on the west coast.
You approach the Falls via an accessible track through native woodland
However you get here, the wheelchair friendly track from the car park to the upper viewing platform is a pleasant ten minute walk through native forest. If you are feeling energetic you can walk the 261 steps down to the bottom of the waterfall. This takes another ten minutes, but don’t forget that you have to come up again!
The Magic of Waireinga
The descent is worth the effort. The Bridal Veil Falls have a 55m drop, the result of ancient volcanic activity. As the water cascades it sends out spray, creating the perfect environment for ferns and mosses. Rainbows play at the base of the waterfall, birds chatter, and you are surrounded by lush vegetation on all sides.
Pinnable image of the Bridal Veil Falls
The Falls are surrounded by lush vegetation
The Maori name for the falls is Waireinga, meaning “leaping waters”. This is a reference to the wairua, or spirits, that leap through the water. And, according to tradition, the area is protected by Maori fairies, or Patupaiarehe. It is all part of the magic of Wairenga.
A Maori welcome to Waireinga
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Bridal Veil Falls looks like the very definition of magical, Karen and I can imagine losing track of time just listening to the roar and looking at the beauty. I think I’d be very tempted to go down all 261 steps to see the falls from the ground level but I might have to take it in stages climbing back up. Simply stunning! Anita
It’s worth the climb even if, as you say, the walk back up is a bit slower than the descent!
Yet another gorgeous Falls in New Zealand. In the 8 weeks we spent there this year, we experienced so many different waterfalls! Nice to know there are 1500, as they run together for me. This is one we missed but now I don’t feel like we missed it.
It’s a good thing were downloaded and named our pictures each night. We also captured many of the waterfalls on our 2 month trip to Australia after New Zealand. You can check some of them out now on our website and more to come over the next 3 months at https://adventurousretirement.com/blog/.
I know what you mean about naming your pictures as you go along – it’s very easy to lose track of them all!
Would love to visit New Zealand and experience these falls. Thx for the share!
My husband loves to photograph waterfalls, and it seems there’s a ‘bridal veil falls’ everywhere we go. Thanks for bringing this one to my attention!
I’ve never been to New Zealand, but wow, those waterfalls look so powerful!