Three tiers
Of rock steps.
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Purakaunui Falls is a three-tiered waterfall on the Purakaunui River in the Catlins, in the south of the South Island. White water spills over broad mossy rock steps, framed by green forest of trees and ferns. The falls are about 20 m high and are one of very few South Island waterfalls away from the alpine areas, so they have long drawn visitors and photographers, and appeared on a New Zealand postage stamp in 1976. They stand in a 5 square kilometre scenic reserve of podocarp and silver beech. You walk about ten minutes through the forest from the car park to a wheelchair-accessible platform near the top of the falls, then take steps down to the main platform at the base, where you see all three tiers at once. They are about 11 km in a straight line southwest of Owaka, on the Southern Scenic Route. The last stretch of road is gravel, so drive carefully.
Of rock steps.
Around the falls.
At the base.
Purakaunui Falls Road, The Catlins, Southland
Yes, about ten minutes.
Yes, toilets and a picnic area.