Maruia Falls Walk

90

Analysis

6 Rankers Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

7 Murchison

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Marios Gavalas

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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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Murchison, Nelson Region

Camping near Murchison

Photos

Marios Gavalas

Maruia Falls were created from earthquake uplift

Marios Gavalas

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Information

200 m return | 10 minutes return

A thundering waterfall on the Maruia River

Walking Track

Access

Maruia Falls on SH 65, 40 km from the junction of SH6 and 30 km from the junction with SH7. There’s a large parking area.

Track

From the viewpoint above the falls the track drops to a lower lookout with a side-on view.

Geology

The Maruia Falls were formed in 1929. Geologists can date this exactly to the Murchison Earthquake, when the magnitude 8 quake brought down a huge landslide. This diverted the Maruia River, eroding an old river bank, which then became the falls. At a paltry 1m in height they would not be worth the diversion, but after a year, as more gravels were washed, the falls increased in height to 5m. Today they drop 10m.

European History

This waterfall is popular with river kayakers. Check out the clips on You Tube.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Nelson/Tasman

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Murchison

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.8593020854199

172.253186607361

Latitude
-41.8593020854199
Longitude
172.253186607361

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	Up to 500m Track Length What is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m
Track Duration	Up to 10 minutes Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? Up to 10 minutes	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? Up to 10 minutes
Track Difficulty	Easiest walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Track Category	Easy access short walk DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Easy access short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes. Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required.	DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Easy access short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes. Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required.
Track Accommodation	Campsite Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight.	Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Some people Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either.	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either.
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.

Nearby

Reviews

Great place to stop for a moment.
Amazing.
Nice view of the falls.

Rating	Count
10/10	2	33%
9/10	3	50%
8/10	1	17%
7/10	0	0%
6/10	0	0%
5/10	0	0%
4/10	0	0%
3/10	0	0%
2/10	0	0%
1/10	0	0%

4.5/5

Great place to stop for a moment.
We loved the waterfalls and you can really see the fault line from the 1929 earthquake. Well worth a stop if you're passing through. Only a 10 min walk and plenty of parking and a toilet stop available too. This seems to also be a freedom campsite for self contained vehicles.

Reviewed almost 8 years ago

Katie Ball
4.0/5

The falls are impressive but would be more with rain.
It is only 10 minutes from the carpark. Lots of sandflies.

Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

Mathilde
4.5/5

Not mentioned in any of our guide books, but well worth a stop to view this wide falls.
Decent sized carpark.

Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014

Clare Lambley
5.0/5

Nice view of the falls.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Derek
5.0/5

Very pretty waterfall, short walk down to the falls.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Amanda
4.5/5

Amazing.

Reviewed over 14 years ago

Zara Leyden