Bridal Veil Falls (Waikato)

For other places with the same name, see Bridal Veil Falls (disambiguation).

Wairēinga / Bridal Veil Falls
Māori: Wairēinga
Bridal Veil Falls, as seen from the second lookout.
Map
LocationWaikato, New Zealand
Coordinates37°54′31″S 174°53′48″E / 37.908518°S 174.896636°E / -37.908518; 174.896636
TypePlunge
Total height55 metres (180 ft)
WatercoursePakoka River
The Bridal Veil Falls from the bottom

Bridal Veil Falls (officially Wairēinga / Bridal Veil Falls; Māori: Wairēinga) is a plunge waterfall located along the Pakoka River in the Waikato area of New Zealand. The waterfall is 55 m (180 ft) high, and has over time caused the formation of a large pool at the base of the waterfall. The falls are in the 217 ha (540 acres)[1] Wairēinga Scenic Reserve (created in 1884)[2] with tawa-dominated forest.[1]

Formation

The water cascades over a basalt cliff, formed by volcanic activity,[3] when an Okete Volcanics vent, on the 226 m (741 ft) hill just to the north, erupted 2.57 million years ago[4] and blocked the valley.[5]

Access and recreational activities

Approximately 15 minutes from the nearby town of Raglan, the falls are an easy 10-minute walk[6] through native bush, along the Pakoka River. Facilities include parking, long-drop toilets and four lookout platforms. River crossings are bridged. It is a steep descent to the falls base by 261 steps cut into a well maintained path.[7]

400m beyond Bridal Veil car park, where Kawhia Rd becomes gravel, is the start of the 6 km Pipiwharauroa Way walking and cycling track.

Swimming and rock climbing

Wairēinga framed by native bush, as seen from the midway viewing platform

See also

References

  1. ^ a b DoC 2013 consultation document page 97 Archived 22 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ CW Vennell & Susan Williams (1976). Raglan County Hills and Sea 1876–1976. Wilson & Horton for Raglan County Council. p. 292. ISBN 0868640026.
  3. ^ Te Ara Encyclopedia – formation of waterfalls
  4. ^ Stipp, J. J. (1968). The geochronology and petrogenesis of the Cenozoic volcanics of North Island. New Zealand [Ph. D. thesis]: Canberra, Australian National University.
  5. ^ Barry Clayton Waterhouse, P. J. White (1994). Geology of the Raglan-Kawhia Area. Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences (N.Z.). pp. map. ISBN 0-478-08837-X.
  6. ^ Tramper.co.nz
  7. ^ "New Stairs at Waireinga-Bridal Veil Falls". www.raglan23.co.nz. 10 February 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  8. ^ Department of Conservation – area guide
  9. ^ DoC 2013 consultation document page 97 Archived 22 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine