Taranaki Falls

Before our ferry departure, we had enough time to do one more hike.  On Christmas Day, we opted to go Taranaki Falls.  This park is more commonly visited in the winter for snow-related activities.  There is also a excellent alpine crossing here, which can be done as a multi-day backcountry tramp (hike/walk). 

Here is the river much farther downstream of the falls.  At this point it has picked up quite a bit of water compared to its upstream alpine origins.




Like most of the geography on the North Island, Taranaki was formed by volcanic action.  The river here runs along a very large, and very ancient lava flow.










The ridges in the distance are heavily-eroded lava flows which spread out like arms in every direction.  The bulk of the lava formed the 1500-meter-high saddle between two volcanoes.


Hmm, that water seems to disappear.


Yep, its a waterfall.


Don’t slip…  I can see the headlines: Dumb American Tourist Learns to Fly and Swim at the Same Time.


This falcon was very annoyed with us, apparently it had a nest on the cliff face.






We then headed south to Wellington to board the ferry.