15 Waterfall Tours in New Zealand Worth Booking

1.White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,274 reviews · from $83Our pick

Join guides such as Flynn, Malcolm, Hamish, or Cole for a two-hour Kaituna River rafting trip from Okere Falls. Paddle through 11 rapids and three waterfalls, including the 7-meter Tutea Falls. Gear is supplied, but you need moderate fitness, confidence in water, and a weight under 120 kilograms.

“Amazing experience! One of the most exciting and terrifying things I have ever done. Loved it all. Well done to the wonderful team, especially Balthazar who made of feel safe and have the time of our lives!”

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2.Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 759 reviews · 30 min · from $89

Take a 30-minute jet boat ride from Wairakei Tourist Park to Huka Falls. Your English-speaking driver takes you along the Waikato River at up to 80km/h, adds sharp 360-degree spins, and brings you close to the falls for a water-level view. Expect spray, warm handrails, and plenty of excitement.

“Highly recommend!!! It’s even more exciting than I expected, huka falls is definitely worth watching it from that close.”

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3.Wildwire Wanaka- Level 2 (4 Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 467 reviews · from $232

Take a four-hour guided via ferrata up Wanaka’s Twin Falls on a private deer farm. Level 2 adds steeper sections, steel ladders, narrow bridges, and sweeping mountain views. Guides such as Liv, Jasper, Tanguy, and Naomi are known for calm support, while lunch and safety gear are included.

“One of the best activities I have done in New Zealand. It was the first time I had done any sort if climbing and our guide Tanguy made sure I was safe and having fun throughout, checking in with me if I looked a little nervous at times. Very haRead more”

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4.Rotorua Ziplines – Okere Falls Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 442 reviews · from $104

At Okere Falls near Rotorua, two local guides lead you across ziplines, swing bridges, and forest boardwalks above the Kaituna River. Expect three waterfalls, Māori stories, ancient teas, and a conservation project with Ngāti Hinerangi. The 2.5-hour trip suits first-timers and experienced zipliners.

“This ziplining experience is located in a very beautiful spot near Rotorua. The guides were fantastic! We couldn't have asked for a better experience! Thank you Ben and Ethan! We highly recommend this for an extraordinary family experience of all ages!”

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5.Kaituna Cascades – Grade 5 Wairoa River near Tauranga

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 437 reviews · from $117

This five-hour rafting trip tackles the Grade 5 Wairoa River near Tauranga, including Mothers Nightmare, The Rollercoaster, and a 3-meter waterfall. Guides such as Jasper, Bal, Pablo, and Josh lead the 1.5 to 2-hour river run. You must swim, be fit, aged 13 to 65, and under 120 kg.

“White water rafting on the Wairoa River was such a cool experience and very different from the Kaituna. This river felt more technical, with lots of holes and features that kept things exciting the entire way down. It was challenging in the beRead more”

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6.Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 324 reviews · 2 hours · from $80Best value

Meet Kaituna Cascades Rafting 20 minutes from Rotorua for a two-hour trip through 14 rapids and down 7-meter Tutea Falls. Guides such as Malcolm, Alex, Bal, and Josh train first-timers carefully, provide full river gear, and keep the 50-minute run lively and safe.

“Malcolm was the best and it was soooo awesome! A must do”

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7.Okere Falls: Zipline over Waterfalls Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 187 reviews · 2 hours · from $80

At Okere Falls, you’ll zip across the Kaituna River and through native forest with an English-speaking guide such as Johnny, Ethan, Luca, or Lex. Expect swing bridges, waterfall views, Māori stories, native tea, safety gear, and a tree planted in your name.

“Guides made it fun and relaxing. Informative guided tour of the history as we went along. Discovered my new favourite cuppa tea. Spectacular views.”

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8.Milford Sound: Waterfalls, Wildlife, and Rainforest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 65 reviews · 1h 45m · from $83

Sail Milford Sound for 105 minutes aboard the Maiden of Milford, a modern catamaran with three viewing decks, live English commentary, and a cafe/bar. Move between indoor and open-air spaces as you watch for seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins near waterfalls and rainforest.

“Nice length of cruise and I really enjoyed the commentary from the captain. Well worth it.”

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9.Auckland: Rotorua, Taupo, Waiotapu & Huka Falls Private Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $465

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am for Waiotapu’s geysers and mud pools, then continue to Huka Falls, Taupo, and Rotorua. A private air-conditioned vehicle, snacks, WiFi, and Waiotapu admission are included. Guides such as Kenneth, Han, Katherine, and Dong have led recent trips.

“Our guide & driver Han was exceptionally good in guiding us to beautiful places in Rotorua, Taupo, Waiotapu, Hukka Falls etc. He made sure to cover all highlights in a single day with great time management. I’d definitely recommend him for a fantastic trip.”

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10.Rotorua & Taupo DayTour Waiotapu & Huka Falls from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 12 hours · from $448

Travel from Auckland with an English-speaking guide in a group of up to six. See Wai-O-Tapu, Lady Knox Geyser, Huka Falls, Taupo, Rotorua, and, when scheduled, Redwoods and Blue Springs. Guides including Dong, Han, Owen, and Kenneth add local stories, photos, snacks, and flexible stops.

“I’m not exaggerating when I say this has been the best tour I’ve ever done in my life. And I’ve done lots of them, in many different countries. The landscapes look unreal. The Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu looks like Venus, the Huka Falls have a blue color that looks Photoshopped, and the Blue Springs were a beautiful surprise from our guide. They honestly look like something out of a fairytale. The itinerary and the number of scenic spots we visited were incredible and highly recommended. But the best part of the tour was, without a doubt, our guide Han. He has such a wonderful energy; he made us feel great,…”

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11.Redwood Forest , Blue Springs & Huka Falls Day Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $372

Leave Auckland at 7 a.m. for Blue Spring, Huka Falls, Taupo, and Rotorua’s Redwood Forest in an air-conditioned vehicle for up to 13 people. Guide Sharma is known for flexible stops, clear commentary, photos, and occasional route changes, but expect a long day with several hours on the road.

“It was a great day with amazing and beautiful stops. The ride itself was beautiful. Our driver was terrific even producing a short film of our trip. He was interesting and knowledgeable and very attuned to our every request and desire. The only things which could have been better which were indeed minor were beyond his control such as Viatars inadequate description of what we would be seeing and that lunch and tips were not included; I would have preferred a higher but all inclusive fee. Still, awesome guide/driver and terrific experience.”

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12.Private Auckland West Coast Tour Piha Beach and Karekare Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $155

Take a private 4 to 5-hour Auckland tour with hotel pickup, visiting Arataki Visitor Centre, Karekare Falls, Mercer Bay Loop, and black-sand Piha Beach. Your guide can adjust the pace and route, with Kenneth, Jun, Owen, Hans, and Dan among the guides who may lead the day.

“Fantastic tour guide, very knowledgeable about areas, cultures, had great experience Enjoyed visiting Maori people museums Gave us time to watch videos of their history”

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13.Explore BLACK SAND PIHA BEACH, and Water Falls in West Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · from $117

Travel from Auckland CBD to Piha Beach and Kitekite Falls in an air-conditioned vehicle with up to 11 people. You’ll have time to explore the black sand and walk to a waterfall pool. Guide quality varies, with Dinesh and Sid praised on some departures.

“The sights were amazing; however the tour was disappointing. Our guide for the tour was very nice but had no experience with the sights and could not, therefore, give us any information. We book these tours as an informative and Read more”

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14.Rotorua & Taupo DayTour with Waiotapu & Huka Falls from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · from $465

Set out from Auckland at 6:00 am in a small group of up to six. Your guide drives you to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, Rotorua, and the Redwoods, with snacks, water, WiFi, and Waiotapu entry included.

“Plan for a great tour. Many great stops packed into one day. Kenneth was a marvelous private tour guide. Great driver and conversation. He was very much into making sure we had what we needed and wanted. The schedule allowed for a Read more”

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15.Earnslaw Burn Glacier & Waterfalls | 45 mins from Glenorchy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 45 min · from $337

From Glenorchy, your pilot flies you toward Mt Earnslaw and its blue hanging glacier, then lands in the Earnslaw Burn basin for 20 minutes. Expect a shared helicopter flight for 6 to 9 people, assigned seating, local commentary, waterfalls, snow, and sharp alpine views.

“This is the one! Look no further and chose Heli Glenorchy! Stunning tour with the absolute best customer service, every single staff member was lovely, helpful, genuinely kind, interested and friendly to the max. The landscape speaks for itself, and was simply unbelievably beautiful. We are still coming to terms with what we were fortunate enough to experience today, which wouldn't have been the same with another company. These locals support locals, look after their staff and it translates in their joy to welcome you and look after you and give you the best time ever. Seriously, look no further, chose this one! You never feel rushed and you will…”

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