Mokoroa Falls Track

Out and back

If you want to feel the cool mist on your face, a flight of wooden stairs leads you down to the very base of the falls. Standing at the bottom, looking up at the water tumbling into the deep pool below, is an unforgettable experience.

For the more experienced trampers, the main track historically connected to the Goldie Bush Walkway and the Mokoroa Stream Track, forming an adventurous 8.5-kilometre loop. This advanced route takes 3 to 4 hours and involves multiple stream crossings that can sometimes reach waist-deep! However, for a casual, kid-friendly day out, the standard out-and-back waterfall track is the absolute perfect option.

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Highlights & Must-See Features

• The Double Waterfalls: The absolute highlight is seeing Mokoroa Falls and Houheria Stream Falls flowing side-by-side. It is a rare double-treat that makes for an incredible photo opportunity.
• The Upper Lookout: This platform provides a fantastic, unobstructed view of the tree canopy and the waterfalls. It is the best spot to capture the sheer scale of the Waitākere wilderness.
• The Base of the Falls: Descending the wooden stairs to the rocky stream bed lets you get up close to the action. It is a peaceful, shaded spot to sit on a mossy rock and enjoy the cool river breeze.
• The Nikau Groves: The track is lined with groves of nikau palms—New Zealand's only native palm tree—which give the forest a distinctly tropical, exotic feel.

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Getting There

The trailhead is located at the end of Horsman Road in Waitākere, approximately a 40-minute drive from downtown Auckland.

To get there, head west from Auckland city and navigate towards the township of Waitākere. The final 2 kilometres of the drive along Horsman Road are on an unsealed gravel road, so take your time and drive to the conditions.

There is a small parking area at the very end of the road. Because this is a popular spot, parking can be very limited, especially on warm summer weekends, so we highly recommend arriving early in the morning. Please note that there are no toilet facilities or rubbish bins at the car park, so you will need to plan ahead and make sure you pack out whatever you pack in.

Once the track is open, you will also find shoe-cleaning stations at the trailhead. It is crucial to thoroughly scrub and spray your footwear before and after entering the track to prevent the spread of kauri dieback spores.

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Wildlife Spotting

The Waitākere Ranges are a haven for native New Zealand birdlife, and the forest canopy along the Mokoroa Falls Track is often alive with birdsong.

• Tūī (Very Common): Look out for these glossy, dark-blue birds with their distinctive white throat tufts. You will likely hear their melodic, metallic chiming and mimicry long before you see them.
• Kererū (Common): New Zealand’s large native wood pigeon. You will often hear the loud, heavy whoosh-whoosh of their wings as they fly between the treetops, searching for ripe berries.
• Pīwakawaka / Fantail (Common): These friendly, energetic little birds love to flutter right beside hikers, using their fan-shaped tails to dart through the air and catch the tiny insects stirred up by your footsteps.
• Riroriro / Grey Warbler (Common): Though tiny and hard to spot in the dense foliage, their long, beautiful trilling song is the classic soundtrack of the Kiwi bush.
• Ruru / Morepork (Occasional): If you are visiting close to dusk, you might hear the iconic, haunting "more-pork" call of New Zealand’s only surviving native owl.
• Kōtare / Sacred Kingfisher (Occasional): Look out for a flash of brilliant blue-green darting near the stream beds where they hunt for small insects and freshwater critters.

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Seasonal Magic & Practical Tips

• Best Seasons: The track is beautiful year-round. In winter and spring, the rainfall ensures the waterfalls are at their roaring, thunderous best. In summer and autumn, the dense forest canopy provides a cool, shaded retreat from the hot Auckland sun.
• Best Time of Day: Start early in the morning (around 8:00 AM) to secure a car park, beat the midday crowds, and hear the forest come alive with the morning bird chorus.
• What to Wear & Bring: Even on a warm day, the forest floor can be damp and cool. Sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes with good grip are essential, as the wooden steps and rocks near the waterfall can be slippery. Always pack a lightweight raincoat, a bottle of water, and some snacks.
• Weather Considerations: The Waitākere Ranges are known for their microclimates. It can be sunny in central Auckland but raining in the hills. Always check the local weather forecast before you leave.
• Strictly No Dogs: To protect the fragile native wildlife and prevent the spread of soil-borne kauri dieback disease, dogs are strictly prohibited on this trail.

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Local & Regional Context

The land surrounding the Mokoroa Falls holds profound spiritual and historical significance for the local iwi (Māori tribes), Te Kawerau ā Maki and Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara.

The name "Mokoroa" translates to "long lizard" or "long monster" and is named after Te Mokoroa, a mythical taniwha (a powerful water guardian creature). According to local legend, this fearsome taniwha made its home in the deep, swirling pool at the base of the waterfall, a spot known as Te Rua ō Te Mokoroa (The Abyss of Te Mokoroa).

The stories tell of a brave ancestor named Tāiaoroa, who fought and eventually slew the taniwha at this very site, freeing the area from its terror. For local Māori, the waterfall and the stream are not just beautiful scenic spots; they are sacred places (wāhi tapu) woven with ancestral history and spiritual guardians.

Today, conservation is the primary focus of the region. The closure of the track is a modern-day form of rāhui (a traditional cultural restriction) placed on the forest to allow the land and the sacred kauri trees to heal.

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After the Walk

Once you have completed your hike and climbed back up to the car park, you will likely have worked up an appetite. Luckily, the local area has some fantastic spots to refuel:

• Swanson Station Cafe: Located about a 15-minute drive from the trailhead in the historic Swanson railway building. This is a local favourite for hikers. They serve up fantastic, rich coffee, massive cabinet savouries, and hearty cooked breakfasts in a wonderfully nostalgic, relaxed setting.
• The Bethells Beach Cafe (Summer Caravan): If you are visiting during the warmer months, take a scenic drive down to nearby Bethells Beach (Te Henga). Here, you will often find a local food caravan parked near the beach, serving up hot chips, fresh burgers, and real-fruit ice creams—the perfect reward after a walk in the bush!

Keep this spectacular walk in mind for the future, and let's work together to protect our beautiful backyard so that future generations can experience the magic of Mokoroa Falls.