One of the must-sees on the Coromandel Peninsula is the Waiau Kauri Grove and the Waiau Waterfall. These beautiful spots are located shortly after one another and are a must for nature lovers. The waterfall is a very short walk and ideal for taking a dip. At the Waiau Kauri Grove you walk into a unique piece of nature. You get to know the Kauri Trees here: the largest native tree species in New Zealand (in volume).
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Dive into the Waiau Falls
The Waiau Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located at the edge of the Waiau Kauri Grove. The waterfall drops a few meters, but is especially very beautiful due to the surroundings. You really get the feeling that you’ve arrived in a tropical paradise.
Swimming in the Waiau waterfall
Swimming is definitely possible here. The basin where the water falls in is quite deep and there are plenty of stones around it to sit on or climb. The water is super cold though! So it will absolutely be a refreshing dip.
You don’t have much privacy if there are other people here, so make sure you already have your swimwear on. It’s less than 5 minutes walk from the parking spot along the road.
The Kauri Grove Lookout Walk
One and a half kilometers further along the road, a walking path takes you to the most accessible and mature kauri trees on the peninsula. The forest contains a ‘siamese’ kauri that branches just above the ground.
The kauri tree is one of the largest trees in the world and can live to be over 2,000 years old. The trees on the peninsula are some of the largest and oldest in New Zealand. The forest is a beautiful walking area full of tropical vegetation and you can see various species of plants and animals there, including birds, insects and kauri ants.
At the end of the path you find a fork. It doesn’t matter here which way you go. This section actually runs in a loop. Choose the route that feels best to you.
Drive on a gravel road to Waiau Kauri Grove & Waterfall
The road to get there goes over a gravel path. Once you take the turn-off, you’re about 21 km on this road. Three-quarters of that is gravel. In bad weather this can be a challenge. We did this on a dry day and therefore had little trouble with the road. Just make sure you don’t rush. And umm… you might want to wash the car afterwards at a gas station.
Make sure you set your navigation properly. Not that you can stray far from the road now. Especially because the stops are not very clearly visible when you drive past them. There is a sign, but it’s not a clear parking lot. There’s space for a few cars, but as is often the case in New Zealand: this will work out fine.
Tip: also visit Cathedral Cove in Coromandel and stay near Hahei for even more cool activities in Coromandel!
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