We began the Taranaki Falls walk at the Whakapapa Village (pronounced Fakapapa), located in the Tongariro National Park. The track is well-maintained and undulating and takes about 2 hours to complete (6km).Very quickly we were walking across open tussock and shrubland country.
There were great views in all directions - to the north was the great volcanic plateau country; east - the peaks on Tongariro and Ngauruhoe; south, the towering mass of Ruapehu and west, the bald expanse.
About 30 minutes into the walk we enjoyed a small waterfall tumbling over the edge of huge 15,000 year old lava flows.
The track continued across the lava flow where we came to a bridge over the Wairere stream, toward Tama Lakes and Waihohonu heads. Soon we were at the falls which are formed by the Wairere Stream plunging 20 meters over the edge of the old lava flow, ending in an icy, clear pool.
The track continues into the forest along a gentle downhill grade along the stream, and back into subalpine shrubland where we see lots of small gullies and more mountain beech forest. This little walk provided us with plenty to see - mountain views, old lava flows, lovely streams and grasslands. Perfect weather too, clear and warm and breezy.
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