Purakaunui Falls is one of the most recognisable waterfalls in New Zealand. This three tiered waterfall is an absolute stunner and a must-visit if you are visiting the South Island! Located in The Catlins, this waterfall is around 1 hour 45 minutes from Dunedin and around 15 minutes from the small town of Owaka.
The walk to the waterfall is relatively easy, and mostly flat however there are some stairs towards the end. It’s a fun family walk and one that’s great for kids as it is reasonably easy and quick. The walk to the waterfall takes around 5-10 minutes, and takes you through scenic native bush and over a small bridge.
When descending the stairs down to the viewing platform, it’s so easy to see why Purakaunui Falls is so popular. With three tiers this waterfall is certainly striking, no matter what time of the year you visit. The viewing platform gives you a straight on view of the waterfall, and it’s also possible to climb down over the rocks to the side of the track. This takes you right to the bottom of the waterfall where you really experience it’s beauty and power – just be careful with your climb as the rocks can get slippery!
I’ve visited this waterfall a number of times now, and it changes quite a lot depending on how much rain there has been. The best time to visit is definitely after rain as you get a much fuller waterfall, however I also really liked being able to get out on the rocks in to the middle of the waterfall too. See below for three separate times where I’ve been – you can see the water level changes quite dramatically!
Purakaunui Falls Location
Finding Purakaunui Falls is relatively easily as it’s well signposted. Located between Owaka and Papatowai, it’s accessible via a tar sealed road (from Owaka) and a short gravel road (from Papatowai) It has a large carpark (suitable for campervans) and there are also toilet facilities available.
Again reception can be a little iffy around this area, so pop the following details into Google Maps, or just look for the signs.
- Purakanui Falls
- 46.5205° S, 169.5632° E
Top Tips for visiting Purakaunui Falls.
- Visit early in the morning or later in the day (especially in summer) as it can get quite busy! Especially if you are wanting photos in front of the waterfall or are wanting to beat the crowds.
- The majority of the walk is stroller friendly, however you’d need to park it at the top of the stairs and walk down for the best view.
The first photo was taken after Summer and very little rainfall, the second taken a few weeks later after a little rain, and the third was taken in Winter after a few days of heavy rain. As you can see it depends on how much water there is as to how far out you can get in front of the waterfall – a photo in front of the waterfall on the rocks is pretty amazing!
Overall Purakaunui Falls is a must do in the Catlins! Add this stunning waterfall to your travel list – it won’t disappoint!
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