Waterfalls are interesting natural wonders worth seeing, and no waterfall offers the same breathtaking experience and beautiful views as another. If you live in Christchurch or are on vacation to Garden City, here are some hidden and beautiful waterfalls you should visit. All these waterfalls offer great Waterfall Walks and are family-friendly as well.
Walking towards these waterfalls, you hear the birds chirping harmoniously. Some of these walks offer great mountain views whereas a couple of them allow you to dip in pools, and relax during the summer months.
You are in for a lot of fun. The four hidden waterfalls on our list have parking spaces, toilets, picnic areas, and much more. But you must wear sturdy hiking shoes, and take along insect spray, sunscreen, water, and other essential gear.
Here is the rundown!
4 Best Waterfalls in the Canterbury region for great Waterfall Walks
#1:- Ryde Falls
● Operating Time: 24 Hours, All year round
● Waterfall Height: 45 meters (Total)
● Dog Friendly: Yes (with a leash on always)
● Payment: Free
Ryde Falls remains one of the most popular and attractive waterfalls to many families and tourists around Christchurch. The Department of Conservation manages it. It is located within the 11350-hectare Oxford Forest Conservation Area in Oxford, near the Cooper Creek hamlet and the View Hill locality in the Canterbury region. That’s just a 50-minute drive away from Christchurch.
The waterfall is a beautiful five-tier waterfall with at least two tracks leading to it. One is the Cooper Creek track, a 14 km out-and-back track, and the other is the shorter Korimako track. There is also a Wharfedale trail.
For the Cooper Creek (Ryde Falls) track, you will move from the car park/picnic area through the gate and to your left (west branch) through the river past the Ford (not crossing the bridge leading to Mt Oxford) until you get to the sign showing the start of the track. When you start on the track, there are some undulating surfaces, rock segments, and muddy patches, but you will catch up your breath on the flat terrain.
On your way, you can also see some surrounding mountains, alpine tussocks and herbs, evergreens, and plains as you pass through the beech forest leading to the waterfall. The track has well-labelled signs and directions so that you will find your way to the waterfall. Rock swimming pools are at the base of each waterfall’s five tiers, where you can relax.
You could return to or pass the Cooper Creek water by hopping from one rock segment to another, but you still have to return in the same way you came. The whole walking time takes about 5-6 hours to complete.
You can also pass the Korimako trail through the View Hill car park. The View Hill and Wharfedale Track is also a great alternative. Check here for updated information about the tracks.
The toilet is located at the beginning of the track, Cooper Creek. A West Oxford hotel is nearby if you stay late into the evening.
What Other Tourists Are Saying About Ryde Falls (Rating: 4.5/5.0):
- It’s an easy and fun-filled walk, except for a few steeper, slippery, and muddy spots. Drive in a vehicle that can pass rugged terrain and water crossings, like a 4WD.
- Before going, check the weather forecast for the waterfall area (sometimes different from Christchurch’s), as it could be flooded and unsuitable for kids.
- Take along water and bug spray and avoid eating by the waterfall so as not to attract sandflies.
- Rather than going towards your right as indicated where Ryde Falls was mentioned, look at the description written by a tourist on the Department of Conservation sign and follow it—go straight until you get to the next sign that points to the waterfall, which is the faster route. (You can also use the track on Google Maps.)
Extra Tip:- If you start your journey from Coopers Creek car park, make sure you do not return to View Hill car park. In case of any emergencies, if you think there might be someone at the View Hill car park, it is very unlikely. We had a situation where one of our friends fell at the waterfalls and we returned to View Hill car park to seek help. It was a winter month and nobody was there. Checking Google Maps, we were shocked as it is 15 KM to Coopers Creek car park where we parked our cars. Luckily we found someone going hunting in a Ute and got help reaching the Coopers Creek car park.
#2:- Washpen Falls
● Operating Time: 24 Hours, All year round (Last entry time: 4 pm)
● Waterfall Height: 22 meters
● Dog Friendly: No
● Payment: 10 NZD and 5 NZD for adults and kids under 15, respectively
● Special Feature: Abseiling and Giant Swing
While visiting the Washpen Falls, you will see the astonishing natural beauty created by a volcanic eruption about 80 million years ago. The eruption formed the deep canyon, gorge, and energetic Washpen horsetail waterfall.
Washpen is located on State Highway 77 near the iconic Rakaia Gorge in Windwhistle, a small working farming settlement in the Selwyn district. Located just a 60-minute drive from Christchurch, the loop track is 3.5 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours of walking to complete, even with its steep, muddy, and slippery nature and outlook. The falls and track are well-managed and organized, with quality stairs, rope handrails, and broadways. The pathways are sheltered from sunlight in most places on the trail.
After you pay the fee at the woolshed (in the honesty box) used to maintain the waterfall, you will be given a guide and a walking stick to guide you during the walk. Here is a description of how you get to the waterfall. The historic guide contains several points of interest.
There is also a lovely covered picnic area for lunch, relaxing, and other fun activities. You can also check out the Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa, which is only a 25-minute drive if you are visiting this waterfall.
Interestingly, you can also add to the adventure by lodging in one of the three private self-catering accommodations within the farm. Just gaze at the dramatic landscape and magical night sky while enjoying the cold night breeze. Remember to take along your food stuff or cooked meal. Kitchen utensils are already available in the accommodation.
What Other Tourists Are Saying About Ryde Falls (Rating: 4.7/5.0):
- An enjoyable walk entailing three different gorges with absolutely stunning views and plants.
- The walk up to the lookout is steep, slippery, and muddy in some places
- The waterfall is on private property, and the funds are used to keep the track safe and clean. Note: Take cash along for the payment as no Teller machine is available, and the internet connection is not too good.
- The office staff at the welcoming section will give you a map to guide you on your walk and lend visitor walking sticks.
- There are several pools, and the track is well-sheltered from the sun during most of the walk, making it appropriate for any time of the day. However, taking some water with you is still advisable as 10 am to 5 pm might be hot in some places.
#3:- Glentui Falls
● Operating Time: 24 Hours, All year round
● Waterfall Height: 17 meters
● Dog Friendly: Yes (with a leash on always)
● Payment: Free
Glentui Falls is another hidden and beautiful scenic waterfall about an hour from the city centre (just outside Christchurch) via Tram Road and Ashley Gorge Road. It’s a horsetail waterfall with a 2-km Glentui loop track in the 10800-hectare Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area on 392 Glentui Bush Road in Canterbury. The car park and picnic area are at the bush road’s end.
Apart from the main Glentui nature loop track, there is the Glentui waterfall track (very short track) and about five other tracks to move around the waterfall. The waterfall track takes a walking time of 30 minutes to complete, and you have an impressive view of the waterfall and the river.
For the loop track, it is recommended that you move in the anticlockwise direction to avoid steepness. Moving down the track from the car park/picnic area through the right leads you to a wooden bridge over the Glentui River. Then, climb to the ridge on the other part.
The first section has some steepness in some areas within the first 100 meters, and major drop-offs occur before getting to the ridge. The track then links the first bypass track after a few minutes up the river and then to where you can see the waterfall on the left of the track of the Richardson track, which leads back to the picnic area. The walking time around the whole loop is about an hour.
If you plan to visit the waterfall in the first quarter of the year, wear light-coloured clothes, as the wasps and sunflies are much more active.
What Other Tourists Are Saying About Glentui Falls (Rating: 4.6/5.0):
- Easy access, lovely loop track and native forest walk with beautiful views. It is family-friendly (not too tricky for kids)
- You can get to the waterfalls within 10 minutes from the car park.
- There are some muddy, steep, and boggy areas on the track; Go with a good boot
- You can swim there, and there is a good picnic facility.
Extra Tips: This is the nearest waterfall to Christchurch mentioned on this list. There is a toilet in the woods near the picnic area but it is not in great condition.
#4:- Gully Falls
● Operating Time: Opens from 8 am to 8 pm daily, except for the sheep breeding season, from August to 30 September.
● Waterfall Height: 20 meters
● Dog Friendly: No
● Payment: 5 NZD fee per adult and 10 NZD for a carload
What a stunning and charming waterfall at the heart of Orton Bradley Park, a 650-hectare privately owned farm close to Charteris Bay and on the southern shores of Lyttelton Harbour on the Banks Peninsula.
The fantastic waterfall is just a 30 -40-minute drive from Christchurch, perfect for hikers and those interested in seeing nature wonders. Gully Falls combines two short horsetail waterfalls, a lower and a higher one.
While the first waterfall is fairly hidden, the second is open, more appealing, and suitable for a picnic or rest. Several walking tracks spanning over 25 km start at the same point. The track to follow depends on what views and nature wonders you want to see in the park.
There is a big rock trail, a mountain bike trail, and others. Apart from the waterfalls, there is a big rock, mount Bradley, the rhododendron walk with Rhodes in flowers, a historic pack house hut, and a quarry in the park.
The main waterfall walk is a 2.5-hour (from start to return point) loop trail. It takes you through the valley track with riverside native bush around and then to a turn up the valley, which leads to the harbour views, a few picnic tables, and an area for relaxation.
Going up the track a bit further, you see the waterfall, and there are some rough and steep places before and after the waterfall. The track is also slippery and muddy, especially during wet seasons.
Dogs are not permitted (even in vehicles) in the park because it is a walking farm, but there are kernels where you can keep your pets temporarily in front of heritage buildings. Also, the gates are closed by 5.30 pm, so you either park outside or finish before then.
What Other Tourists Are Saying About Gully Falls (Rating: 4.4/5.0):
- The first waterfall is small, but the second is better and worth the visit – overall, it is a moderate waterfall.
- Very flat and a bit challenging full-track loop, slippery in some places, and has some insects.
- Beautiful flora and fauna, great views over the bays, and beautiful sounds of beautiful birds
Additional Tip
You can reach all the above-listed waterfalls under 1-hour drive from Christchurch. If you are keen to drive more distance to explore other waterfalls from Christchurch, try considering Newton’s Waterfall in Akaroa, Dogstream Waterfalls in Hanmer Springs, Bridal Veil Falls & Devils Punchbowl Waterfall in Arthurs Pass, and Acland Falls in Peel Forest. The drive to these waterfalls is between 1-2 hours from Christchurch.
Last modified: December 7, 2024
