Karekare Falls is a 30-metre waterfall in the Waitākere Ranges, about 45 minutes from Auckland city. The walk to the falls is short and easy — five to ten minutes from the road — making it one of the more accessible natural attractions in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. The falls drop into a pool used as a swimming spot, and the surrounding bush is typical of the dense, ancient rainforest that covers much of the Ranges. Just below the falls, Karekare Beach — a wild, black-sand west coast beach — is accessible from the same carpark.
Practical Information
| Location | Karekare, Waitākere Ranges — approximately 45km from Auckland CBD |
| Drive time | 45–60 minutes from Auckland CBD |
| Walk to falls | 5–10 minutes from the carpark — easy, suitable for most abilities |
| Waterfall height | 30 metres |
| Swimming | Yes — pool at the base of the falls |
| Parking | Karekare Beach carpark (toilets, picnic area); also roadside near the top of the falls |
| Cost | Free |
| Dogs | Check Auckland Council — some areas within the park have restrictions |
| Important | Kauri dieback biosecurity stations are in place — clean footwear before and after any bush track |
The Falls and the Walk
Karekare Falls are visible almost immediately from the road — the upper section of the drop can be seen from the carpark, which means the view is accessible even for people with limited mobility who don’t want to walk the full track. For those who do walk in, the five-to-ten-minute path from the Karekare Beach carpark leads through bush to the falls lookout and the pool below.
The falls drop 30 metres in a single main flow, channelled between rock walls draped with native ferns and bush. The pool at the base is deep enough to swim in and popular on warm days. The surrounding vegetation is classic northern Waitākere bush — dense, dark-leafed and humid, very different in character from the open west coast beaches nearby.
Karekare Beach
From the same carpark, Karekare Beach is accessible on foot. It’s a wild black-sand beach in the same style as Piha and Muriwai — large surf, strong rips and no lifeguard patrols. The beach is more isolated and typically quieter than Piha, backed by steep bush-covered hills. Swimming here is not recommended without lifeguard supervision. The beach is primarily worth visiting for the scenery and the sense of remote west coast that’s hard to find this close to a major city.
The Waitākere Ranges
Karekare sits within the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park — 27,000 hectares of ancient rainforest, volcanic ridgelines, streams and west coast beaches stretching from Piha in the south to Muriwai in the north. The ranges contain some of the last significant stands of kauri in the Auckland region. Kauri dieback disease (Phytophthora agathidicida) is a serious threat to kauri throughout New Zealand — visitors are required to clean footwear at biosecurity stations at all bush track entrances to avoid spreading the pathogen.
The broader Waitākere Ranges offer many more walks and tracks beyond Karekare itself. The Arataki Visitor Centre on Scenic Drive is a good starting point for anyone planning to explore more of the park.
Film Location
Karekare has a notable place in New Zealand film history as the principal location for Jane Campion’s The Piano (1993). The beach and surrounding area featured prominently in the film, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and three Academy Awards.
What Visitors Say
“We walked to the falls and then down to the beach. The whole thing took less than two hours from Auckland and felt like we’d gone somewhere genuinely remote. The falls are beautiful and the bush walk is easy.”
— AllTrails review, Karekare Falls Walk
“You can actually see part of the waterfall from the road — great if you can’t manage the walk. The picnic area is lovely, very shaded and peaceful.”
— Google review
Where to Learn More
Auckland NZ — Karekare Falls
Overview of the falls from the official Auckland tourism site with access and visitor tips.
AllTrails — Karekare Falls Walk
Trail map, distance, elevation and user reviews for the walk to the falls.
Waterfalls.co.nz — Karekare Falls
Detailed description of the falls with photos, directions and access notes.
LoveYaGuts — Karekare Falls Walking Track
First-person visitor account with photos and practical tips for the walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Karekare Falls?
Drive via the Northwestern Motorway and Scenic Drive towards Piha, then turn onto Karekare Road. The carpark is at the end of the road. Allow 45–60 minutes from Auckland CBD depending on traffic.
How long is the walk to Karekare Falls?
Five to ten minutes from the carpark on a formed, easy path. It’s suitable for most people including families with young children.
Can you swim at Karekare Falls?
Yes — there is a pool at the base of the falls that is used as a swimming spot. The water is cold year-round.
Is Karekare Beach safe to swim at?
No — Karekare Beach is an unpatrolled west coast beach with strong rips and significant surf. Swimming is not recommended without lifeguard supervision.
What is kauri dieback disease?
It’s a soil-borne pathogen (Phytophthora agathidicida) that kills kauri trees. Visitors must clean footwear at biosecurity stations before and after entering any bush track in the Waitākere Ranges to avoid spreading it.
Is there parking at Karekare?
Yes — two options: the Karekare Beach carpark (toilets and a picnic area nearby), or roadside parking near the top of the falls. Both are free.
What else can I combine with a Karekare visit?
Piha Beach is nearby via an unsealed back road (or return to Scenic Drive and come in via Piha Road). Muriwai is accessible further north. Both make good additions to a west coast day trip.
Karekare Falls is part of Auckland’s Day Trips collection. Nearby: Piha Beach and Muriwai Beach.
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