The Raukawa Falls
Raukawa Falls is probably in the top 10 waterfalls to see in New Zealand. It is a wide attractively waterfall of about 15m tall and 40 to 50m wide. The falls is found on the Mangawhero River’s bank that consists of precipices of between 12 and 15 meters high and cliffs of 30 meters or higher. The amount of water in the river and the conditions of the falls are seasonally affected by the rains, which average approximately 1400 millimetres per annum.
The Raukawa Falls was described by Field in 1860 as “of what must be one of the finest waterfalls in New Zealand, and which until now has been unknown to Europeans”
Raukawa falls is easily seen from a signed pullout and viewing platform along the road (SH4) between Raetihi and Wanganui. Today the only access to the falls is found from the Raukawa Adventure Centre. Visitors to Raukawa Adventure Centre are welcome to stop for a picnic or a walk to the falls.