Rakaia River Waterfall is a natural attraction beside the Rakaia River Bridge at Rakaia in Canterbury, and a 4.3 rating from 25 Google reviews suggests travellers think the stop worthwhile.
Falls and river sights like this live at the mercy of the weather: Canterbury's rivers are braided, fed by snowmelt off the Southern Alps, so flow swells after rain and slacks off in a dry spell. Regulars check conditions before they go, wear sturdy shoes for the shingle, and keep a sensible distance from the water — these rivers run cold and fast, and their channels shift without warning. Early or late in the day gives photographers the best light on the braids.
Set at the Rakaia River Bridge, this is an easy pause in a drive through the plains that rewards anyone willing to stop and look properly.