Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024
| North Island | South Island |
Day 7-Huka Falls, Taupo- 4/17/2024
The Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river, narrows from about 328 ft.wide to just 49 ft. at Huka Falls. This constriction forces approximately 58,117 gallonss of water per second through the chasm, creating a powerful and thunderous cascade that drops 36 ft. into the river below. The sheer volume and speed of the water make it one of the highest-flowing waterfalls in the world. Huka Falls is generating enough power to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just 11 seconds. The effect is mesmerizing and the sound of the water passing through is super loud, Its name, "Huka," means "foam" in Māori, aptly describing the frothy white water that cascades through the narrow gorge.
Pedestrian bridge at Huka Falls that offers an exceptional vantage point to witness the power and beauty of the falls up close. This sturdy concrete bridge spans the Waikato River just above the falls, allowing visitors to stand directly over the churning rapids as the river narrows dramatically before plunging into the gorge below. The bridge provides a prime location for photography and offers a thrilling perspective of the water's immense force.
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The pedestrian bridge is located just above the falls and spans directly over the narrow gorge just before the falls drop. Allows you to look down into the roaring rapids and see the river being forced through the channel.
The gorge is a narrow, steep-sided channel carved out of volcanic rock (primarily ignimbrite) by the Waikato River.
Huka Falls is extremely powerful , it’s one of the most forceful waterfalls in the world in terms of water volume and speed.
This is another vista point to see the falls.
Downstream Vista point.
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After passing through the gorge the water crashed into a wider pool or bay like basin.
Here you can see that the pool is wider after is pass through the gorge.
The ice-blue you see is sunlight reflecting off tiny suspended particles in very pure water. The Waikato River is fed from Lake Taupō, which contains clean, clear water filtered naturally through volcanic rock and sediment.
View of the Pedestrian bridge as we are getting further away.
From the river we followed the trail downstream from Huka Falls following the Waitomer River.
The trail is a mix of native forest and open areas.
Along the way, we encountered small and shallow ponds off the main river channel.
These ponds are called backwater pools and were created where water has been stagnant and became side pools and the strong current upstream breaks off branches, logs, and plant debris, which then get washed downstream.
We are downstream and here the Waitomer river is much quieter.
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The scenery is so picturesque and tranquil.
Waitomo river continuing its descent.
Nice pathway along the way.
A footbridge along the Huka Falls.
New Zealand is famous for its ferns, it has over 200 species, many of which thrive along this river-side trail.
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Beautiful trail...
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Towering forest tree with graceful drooping branches.
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We really enjoyed this trail.
Along the trail we saw a resort on the other side of the shore.
I think it is the Quality Suites Huka falls set amidst 7 hectares of landscaped gardens. It offers a range of accommodations, including studios and villas, some with kitchenettes and private patios or balconies.
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Lust and beautiful trail
We are now at the bottom of the Waitomer river and the river is very still.
This area is so quiet and so beautiful
We sat down to enjoy the view.
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We are now heading back.
We are now back to the Pedestrian bridge.
NEXT... Sailing in Lake Taupo