The beauty of hiking in Canterbury is that there is a big variety of trails to explore. There are plenty of tall mountains to climb up but hidden throughout are also easier waterfall tracks. I wouldn’t say Canterbury is home to the most amazing waterfalls like the Catlins for example or some of those in the North Island but it’s nice switching things up on the trail.
This post explores seven short waterfall tracks in Canterbury. I’ve included as much information as I could for each track but be sure to check the Department of Conservation’s website to keep up to date on any track closures.
waterfall tracks in Canterbury: #1 Ryde Falls
Ryde Falls was a track I actually hiked when I first came to New Zealand at the beginning of 2017. As a complete newbie to anything that wasn’t flat this track was fantastic and I have found myself going back when I want a shorter easier hike. There are a few sections going up and down hill but they do not last long and each time there is a lengthy recovery period of flat track.
Important note: Bring bug spray!! The sandflies are not very nice at the waterfall at all!
I didn’t realize it but this is a very popular track in the Selwyn district. I started earlier at 8:30 in the morning but when I got back to the car park there were at least 15 vehicles there and I passed even more people on the track.
The great thing though about getting to Ryde Falls is that there are a couple of options for length and difficulty depending on how you’re feeling.
The easiest route is to start is at the View Hill car park and continue on the Wharfedale/Ryde Falls track. You can do this track as an in and back taking about 2.5 to 3 hours return and 6 km in total. The track is well-formed at the beginning and in some places turns to a rooted path. It was fairly easy to navigate with only a few short steep sections.
View Hill to Ryde Falls: ~80 meter gain | 6 km return | 2.5-3 hour return
The only real downside to this option is that to get to the car park you need to cross a ford and there are 4 or 5 gates to open and close. If there’s not much water, the ford is doable to cross in a small car but if there’s been a lot of rain, I wouldn’t risk it. A 4WD is advised.
The other option is still starting from the View Hill car park but taking the link track to form a loop track to Ryde Falls. This is one I have done recently and it took approximately 2.5 hours and was undulating. My favourite part of this track was the beautiful fern ‘field’s alongside the track.
View Hill to Ryde Falls via Link track loop: ~80 meter gain | 6 km return | 2.5-3 hour return
How to get there: Turn off SH72 onto Woodstock Road. Follow this for 10 km then turn into Ingrams Road, then left on to Limeworks Road, which becomes Perhams Road. There is a sign indicating to turn off to get to the start of the Wharfedale Track where the View Hill car park is located.
The last option would be to start from Cooper’s Creek car park which I haven’t done yet. This is a longer track taking closer to 5-6 hours and 14 km.
Coopers Creek to Ryde Falls: ~80 meter gain | 14 km return | 5.5-7hour return
How to get there: Turn off SH72 onto Woodside Road. Follow this for 7 km, then turn into Mountain Road. Coopers Creek car park is at the end of that road.
WATERFALL TRACKS IN CANTERBURY: #2 Washpen FALLS
~280 meter gain | 6.4 km return | 1.5-2 hour return
I’ve also included this one in my top beginner hikes in Canterbury post because frankly it’s just such a good one to do and one you don’t want to miss. The track is a loop track with all sorts of variety throughout. From walking through the forest, caves, alpine scrub, and along a ridge you won’t get bored. This one has a lot more sections of going up and downhill but is still quite easy to navigate just be careful after a rainfall as it can get quite slippery.
If you wanted a bit more of a challenge you can always continue up the fence line once you hit the first ridge. If you’re wondering what I am meaning, the track will get out in the open scrub and it reaches a gate and fencline. You can either continue straight where you’ll reach a bench, see great views over the plains and the track will then descend down back into the trees and to the waterfall.
Instead, you can turn right at that gate and follow the fence line up which takes you to a ridge where you’ll get more mountain views to the west. Be sure to stay close to the fence line as the path that’s there isn’t really cleared. Don’t worry, this isn’t me advising to go off track, the owner of the property suggested it to me.
Also, so it’s no surprise when you arrive, this track does have a fee. Bummer, I know, but this track is actually on private land and the owners do a lot of track maintenance which you’ll see how great it is when you go! The fees are $10 for adults, $5 for kids.
How to get there
Turn onto Washpen Falls Road off of State highway 77. There is a large mailbox at the end of the road. Follow the road to the end where you’ll see plenty of space to park.
WATERFALL TRACKS IN CANTERBURY: #3 Devils Punchbowl
103 meter gain |1.8 km return | 45 mins- 1 hour return
The Devil’s punchbowl waterfall is located in Arthurs Pass National Park and isn’t in any way a hike. I am only including this one though because it’s beautiful, one needs to see it and it’s still a short waterfall track in Canterbury. Short as in 30 minutes one way, up stairs in the forest to a viewing platform but if you’re feeling confident you can somewhere (I don’t know where) go off track, climb up rocks and get closer to the base of the waterfall.
This is a great track to do especially when you’re road tripping around and need a bit of a leg stretch. Or if you have had a big day of hiking previously, this is a good one to help everything from stiffening up! It’s also a great track if you’re just in the mood to see a very tall waterfall. The Devil’s Punchbowl falls stand at 131 meter tall.
How to get there: The car park to the falls is right off the highway in the town of Arthurs Pass. There are signs and it would be difficult to miss it.
WATERFALL TRACKS IN CANTERBURY: #4 Newton’s waterfall
I could be wrong but I consider this waterfall a little gem in Akaroa that I am not sure many know about. The falls themselves aren’t super spectacular but none the less it’s a beautiful spot. However, the falls really aren’t spectacular when there hasn’t been enough rain as it tends to dry up in the summer months. You may only see a trickle. The best time to go is either after a good rainfall or in the Autumn and winter months.
If you park at the end of the road the walk to the falls is only about 15-20 minutes. You can walk to it from town though extending your walk. The road that the beginning of the track is located on is steep so there’s options for however long you want to walk.
How to get there:
Head down Rue Jolie until you reach an intersection with Aylmers Valley Rd. Turn left onto Aylmers Valley Rd and follow it till its end. There is a car park at the end of the road with a track sign. Alternatively, park at the beginning of Aylmers Valley Road and walk up.
WATERFALL TRACKS IN CANTERBURY: #5, 6 & 7 Acland, Emily and Rata Falls
There are 3 waterfalls in Peel Forest, Rata, Acland and Emily Falls, Rata Falls apparently being the best of the 3. I’ve only done Acland Falls which was a nice walk. There are steep parts at the beginning then downhill to the falls. Some stream walking was involved and the waterfall itself was quite thin. Classified as horsetail falls you’d certainly want to see these after a rainfall.
Acland Falls: 80 meter gain | 1 km return | 45 mins- 1 hour return”
Emily and Rata Falls start on the same track but then split at the fork. The track to Emily falls climbs steeply then descends steeply down into the Rata Stream. There area few stream crossings before hitting the falls.
Emily Falls: 90 meter gain | 2 km return | 1 hour return
The track to Rata Falls follows the Rata Stream for the last 10 minutes or so. The waterfall is a bit more impressive than the rest but you may get wet feet getting there. This track is a little more technical as it depends on the water levels of the stream and it can get quite slippery.
Rata Falls: 140 meter gain |3 km return | 1.5-2 hour return
How to get there
Turn onto bridge Street from Highway 72 (Inland Scenic route) then turn right onto Pratt Street. This then turns into Peel Forest road. Follow the road and stay right to get onto Rangitata Gorge Road. The start for the tracks will be on the left hand side of the road. There are places to park but no toilets.
Now that’s not all the waterfalls I know but those are my best suggestions for short waterfall tracks in Canterbury. Have you done of these? Let me know in the comments!
There are certainly more around the country. My other favourites include Coal Creek Falls on the west coast and McLean Falls in the Catlins. As I get out more, I’ll be sharing more so stay tuned!