Waterfall
Aratiatia Rapids
Taupō, Waikato
Dam gates open on a schedule and a dry riverbed turns into whitewater in minutes.
- Cost
- Free
- Booking
- No need to book
- Time to allow
- 45 min
The upstream dam releases water at set times each day, so you stand at a lookout over bare rock and watch the river fill the gorge. Two viewing platforms sit a short walk from the car park. Check the release times before you go.
Good to know
- Arrive 15 minutes before a release to get a spot at the lookout
- Release times are posted at the car park and online
- The walk down to the lower lookout has steps
- Best time
- Release times, usually mid-morning to afternoon
- Open
- All year
- Getting there
- Sealed road, car park at the top lookout
- Vehicles
- Campervans fine
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
Facilities
- Toilets
Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.
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