Best time to visit
Go early morning or later in the day for fewer people and softer light. Late afternoon/early evening often finds the platform quiet. Midday—especially on weekends and some weekdays—tends to be busiest.
Overview
About Devil's Punchbowl Falls
If you do one quick walk in Arthur’s Pass, make it this one. Devil’s Punchbowl Falls thunders 131 m into a steep, forested gorge, and the track gets you close enough to feel the spray from a sturdy viewing platform. It’s short, direct, and delivers big scenery for the effort.
Why stop
- Short, well‑formed walk to a dramatic 131 m waterfall
- Signed car park right by the village with a solid viewing platform
Heads up
- Lots of stairs on a steady uphill
- Midday can be busy on popular days
Few places in the park give you this kind of power up close on such a short outing. The platform sits at the base of the falls where wind can send mist across the deck—dramatic on hot days, chilling on cold ones. In winter, surrounding peaks often carry snow, framing the cascade.
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Where it is
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Tips for visiting Devil's Punchbowl Falls
Start early or after 6 pm to avoid the midday crowds.
Expect spray at the platform—pack a light layer and a lens cloth.
Bring warm layers and a waterproof; weather flips quickly here.
Stick to the track and barriers—rockfall warnings are posted.
Drones need a DOC permit; plan ahead if you intend to fly.
Plan your stop
Before you go
Best time to visit
Getting There & Amenities
1 active Arthur's Pass alert
- InfoArthur’s Pass Visitor Centre operating from temporary buildingThe Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre is operating from a temporary portacom because the old visitor-centre building is closed for renovation.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Arthur's Pass Tour Guide
Your drive to Devil's Punchbowl Falls, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Arthur's Pass 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.
Recorded for this place
Devil's Punchbowl Falls: Must-Do Short WalkListen
“You're coming up to the parking area for the Devil's Punchbowl Falls walk. If you only do one short hike in the park, this is the one.”
Plays as you drive up to Devil's Punchbowl Falls in the Parkwolf Arthur's Pass Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Shaking the Pass: The 1929 Quake
- Bridal Veil Falls Walk
- Arthur's Pass Village: The Park's Central Hub
- Arthur's Pass Railway Station: Kea and TranzAlpine Views
- 87 audio storiesacross Arthur's Pass’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, New Zealand Falcon, Blue Duck, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 22 trails, 56 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“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
More about Devil's Punchbowl Falls
The WalkFrom the signposted Punchbowl car park at the north end of the village, the track crosses…
From the signposted Punchbowl car park at the north end of the village, the track crosses footbridges over the Bealey River and Devil’s Punchbowl Creek before climbing through beech forest to the falls. Expect a lot of stairs and an elevation change of roughly ±69 m over about 2 km return, typically 45–60 minutes. The path is well formed but has narrow sections and steep drop‑offs—keep children close and stick to the barriers.
WildlifeThe beech forest is alive with birds—watch for fantails/pīwakawaka and tomtits along the track.
The beech forest is alive with birds—watch for fantails/pīwakawaka and tomtits along the track. Kea are often seen around the area, especially near parking. At twilight there’s even a chance to hear or (if you’re lucky) glimpse the great spotted kiwi/roroa.
Safety & EssentialsWeather turns wet and cold any time of year—pack warm layers plus a waterproof/windproof jacket.
Weather turns wet and cold any time of year—pack warm layers plus a waterproof/windproof jacket. Bring drinking water, sun protection, insect repellent, and sturdy footwear. Stay on the formed track; signs warn of rockfall if you scramble to the very base. Drones require a DOC permit.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Arthur's Pass
977 sightingsKeaMost seen around noonSighting map
39 sightingsNew Zealand FalconMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
190 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
19 sightingsKākāMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
14 sightingsWekaMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
15 sightingsParadise ShelduckMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Arthur's Pass. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
