Waireinga (Bridal Veil) Falls

We thoroughly enjoyed our 15 minute walk to the Waireinga Falls, through beautiful NZ native tawa-dominated forest. With the occasional call of a tui accompanying us, it was a delightful way to spend our Sunday morning in Raglan. Waireinga means 'leaping water' in Maori, and it's well named! We could hear the thunderous roar as we neared the top of the falls, and I remember a catch in my breath as we arrived at the viewing platform at the very top, looking straight down the 55m to the bottom. You can see people standing on that platform in this image.

The water cascades over a basalt cliff, formed by volcanic activity, when an Okete Volcanics vent, on the 226m hill just to the north, erupted about 2 millions years ago, blocking the valley.