Huka Falls is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in NZ. Expect a mob of people, but also expect beauty to make your heart sing. Huka’s a blue ribbon of eye-candy…Yum! The “Falls” are a 100m basalt crevice channeling the Waikato River into a frothing aquamarine frenzy before spilling the torrent over a 15m ledge into a bubbling pool. It’s quite a sight and everyone is impelled to take the exact same pictures from the guardrailed viewpoints. If it’s sunny your “Huka Blue” will turn out fantastic.
The Falls are only a few steps from the carpark, so this is an allages attraction. A footbridge spans the channel to the busy-busy far side, but if you want a bit quieter scene, then find the near-side path from the carpark to the grassy overlook. Wait long enough and surely the “HUKA JET” will roar up with a load of big-spenders to do some delightful power circles.
The far side of the channel offers two tracks. Downstream is the Aratiatia rapids (I don’t recommend this—the rapids are a must-see, but drive to give yourself some flexibility). Upstream though is a nice track leading along the Waikato River for about a half-hour to Spa Park. It sports great views of the crystalline river the entire way—at least go the first few meters to see the little blue waterfalls that begin Huka’s fury.
