Waitanguru Falls is a 15-metre waterfall reached from Mangaotaki Road in the Ruapehu district, on the rural route between Te Kuiti and New Plymouth. It holds a 4.5 Google rating from 150 reviews. Customers most often mention the waterfall, the short walk and the viewing platform. Some recent reviews say the falls were closed and the steps were muddy and slippery, so check the current conditions before you make the drive.
Roadside waterfalls in rural areas are usually short walks, so the experience depends on the track condition and the weather. Wet weather makes steps and boardwalks slippery, and sturdy shoes are a good idea. Falls tend to look most dramatic after recent rain, when the flow is strongest. Checking local conditions before a trip saves a wasted journey.
It is a quick stop on the drive through the Ruapehu countryside, with farmland views on the way in.