Fantail Falls
Haast Pass
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
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I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Photos
Information
Fantail Falls
200 m return | 5 minutes return
A pretty waterfall beside the Haast River. The schist beach has become a monument to rock stacks. The flat, smooth, easily stacked rocks are placed into towers and sculptures by passing travellers. Only to be demolished by other travellers or the next flood.
Walking Track
Timing
Not a place to visit in flood.
Access
Fantail Falls are well signposted 4.8 km from the Gates of Haast and 3.7 km from Haast Pass.
Track
The concrete track nips into the beech forest then descends to the schist beach opposite the falls.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC OtagoCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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2.0/5
Skippable.
Not impressive. Maybe after heavy rain or nice when your not able to get off the main roads. I do not get al the 10 ratings. There are so many better falls or scenery to be found all around NZ.
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5.0/5
Lovely place to stop off when driving through Haast pass.
My partner climber all the way up the waterfall (he told me it was very cold!) and found lots of place to explore. Clear blue water, looks incredible. Lots of rock stacks, unsure of their symbolism. A really lovely place to be for a rest.
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5.0/5
1 of our favourite spots to stop in Haast Pass.
If you camp in the area you can avoid the midday tourist hordes who stop for a quick look. Hang around a while, explore up and down the riverbanks and attempt your own rock stack. Some fun/challenging canyons to explore nearby - if you're in the know. Fun place to photograph at different times of the day. The river can be crossed - go barefoot or wet shoes...don't lose your jandals! The pool at the base is nice for a dip. The track to the left of the falls leads up to some reasonably easy to navigate ledges - don't bring grandma or baby...but enjoy the adventure and the photo ops!
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4.0/5
Magical spot.
Free. Swimming for the brave. Beautiful river and surrounded by New Zealand native bush.
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3.5/5
we stopped and had lunch here - only a 5 min walk to the falls.
Beautiful scenery by the river and waterfall, however take bug spray as infested with sandflies.
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4.5/5
A lovely little waterfall right off the road.
But what is even more intriguing are the rock piles that have been made by visitors, make your own!!
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2.0/5
Skippable.
Not impressive. Maybe after heavy rain or nice when your not able to get off the main roads. I do not get al the 10 ratings. There are so many better falls or scenery to be found all around NZ.
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5.0/5
Lovely place to stop off when driving through Haast pass.
My partner climber all the way up the waterfall (he told me it was very cold!) and found lots of place to explore. Clear blue water, looks incredible. Lots of rock stacks, unsure of their symbolism. A really lovely place to be for a rest.
-
5.0/5
1 of our favourite spots to stop in Haast Pass.
If you camp in the area you can avoid the midday tourist hordes who stop for a quick look. Hang around a while, explore up and down the riverbanks and attempt your own rock stack. Some fun/challenging canyons to explore nearby - if you're in the know. Fun place to photograph at different times of the day. The river can be crossed - go barefoot or wet shoes...don't lose your jandals! The pool at the base is nice for a dip. The track to the left of the falls leads up to some reasonably easy to navigate ledges - don't bring grandma or baby...but enjoy the adventure and the photo ops!
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4.0/5
Magical spot.
Free. Swimming for the brave. Beautiful river and surrounded by New Zealand native bush.
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3.5/5
we stopped and had lunch here - only a 5 min walk to the falls.
Beautiful scenery by the river and waterfall, however take bug spray as infested with sandflies.
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4.5/5
A lovely little waterfall right off the road.
But what is even more intriguing are the rock piles that have been made by visitors, make your own!!
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4.5/5
Fantail Falls is nice, however, explore the hidden canyon just 100m downstream...a-ha, then you're in for a full adventure.
NEAT!
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4.5/5
Another nice, short walk to a waterfall.
This one was actually less crowded than the Thunder Creek Falls, so that was nice.
