Tucked into the bush between Raglan and the small settlement of Te Mata, Bridal Veil Falls — known to Māori as Waireinga, 'leaping waters' — is one of the North Island's most graceful waterfalls, and one of the easiest to reach.
The walk
From the car park, a flat, well-formed track winds for about ten minutes through cool native forest of tree ferns and tāwa to the clifftop lookout, where the stream slips over the edge and falls 55 metres in a single unbroken column. A stairway of around 260 steps then descends to platforms at the midpoint and the base, where spray drifts up and rainbows form on sunny mornings. It is the bottom lookout that rewards the climb.
Good to know
The falls are free to visit and open daily, with a car park, toilets and picnic spots at the top. The track to the clifftop is easy and buggy-friendly; the descent to the base is steeper and involves stairs. Swimming is not permitted at the base — the plunge pool is deep and the currents strong.
Getting there
The falls are signposted off the Kawhia road, about a 20-minute drive south of Raglan or an hour from Hamilton, and pair naturally with a day on the coast.
When to go
After rain the falls are at their most dramatic; in summer the forest is cool and the light through the canopy is lovely. Morning sun gives the best chance of a rainbow at the base.
Holiday-In-Waikato is an independent guide. We do not sell tickets — please check the official operator for current times, prices and bookings.