Sight · Abel Tasman National Park
A steep detour reaches a multi-tier waterfall in native bush.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Abel Tasman Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Abel Tasman National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
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“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Cascade Falls is a multi-tier waterfall in native bush beside the Abel Tasman Coast Track between Anchorage and Bark Bay. Set aside about 1 hour 30 minutes for the return side trip; steep sections make this a planned stop on a Coast Track day rather than a quick walk from a car park.
Water steps over dark rock ledges among mossy boulders and ferns. From near the base, include a mossy rock in the foreground and keep the cascade above it in frame; that gives the drops context in the dense bush. Take care on wet rock around the falls.
Wildlife
10 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
54 sightingsNew Zealand Fur SealMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
20 sightingsLittle PenguinMost seen around 9 PMSighting map
21 sightingsSouth Island KākāMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
526 sightingsWekaMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
16 sightingsTūīMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Abel Tasman. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateFalls River Track7 km · 3 hr · 1 km awayA steep climb to blue pools beyond the Cascade Falls spur.
ModerateCascade Falls Track2.6 km · 1 hr · 1 km awayA steep forest spur to a waterfall hidden off the Coast Track.
ModerateTorrent Bay to Bark Bay7.8 km · 2.5 hr · 1.3 km awayA ridge, a 47-metre swingbridge and a beach reshaped by tides.
EasyCleopatra's Pool Track0.9 km · 24 min · 2.1 km awayA moss-lined natural slide waits beyond a short forest spur.
EasyBark Bay Waterfall Trail4 km · 1 hr · 2.5 km awayA short forest walk to a waterfall and a suspension bridge.
ModerateBark Bay to Awaroa13.5 km · 4.5 hr · 2.6 km awayA coastal one-way Great Walk through quarry, beach and forest.
ModerateAnchorage to Bark Bay11.5 km · 4 hr · 2.7 km awayCoastal ridgelines, a 47-metre bridge, and a low-tide shortcut.ModerateBark Bay to Onetahuti6.1 km · 2 hr · 2.8 km awayA quarry relic, forested ridges, and a long crescent beach
Beach · 1.3 km awayRākauroa / Torrent BayA tidal crossing beside a village on the Coast Track.
Lodging · 1.4 km awayTorrent Bay LodgeA beachside stay on Wilsons’ walking, kayaking and cruise trips.Sight · 1.4 km awayFalls River Suspension BridgeA springy crossing gives you a look down the Falls River inlet.Sight · 2 km awayCleopatra’s PoolA moss-lined rock slide makes this a memorable Coast Track swim stop.
Beach · 2.3 km awaySandfly BayA tidal lagoon tucked behind shifting golden sandspits.
Beach · 2.4 km awayMedlands BeachA small beach break along the Coast Track, with water-taxi access.
Beach · 2.6 km awayBark BayA golden beach between the open coast and a tidal estuary.
Lodging · 2.6 km awayBark Bay HutA 34-bunk overnight stop near Bark Bay’s beach and estuary.Parkwolf’s Abel Tasman ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
