The best waterfalls in Taupo

In Māori, “Huka” means “foam,” which makes perfect sense once you see the rushing waterfall and its white, frothy waters.

I quickly looked up why the water appears so blue. The water at Huka Falls comes from Lake Taupō, which is mainly fed by snowmelt from the upper reaches of the Waikato River. The water contains fine volcanic sediments that scatter light, making blue and green wavelengths more visible to the human eye, which gives the water its striking blue colour. As the river narrows through the gorge, the forceful flow creates a large amount of foam, making the whole scene even more vivid and bright.

Best viewing spots: