Pros & cons
PROS
- Towering waterfall (~174 m) right beside the Routeburn Track
- Reachable as a 2.5–3 hr return walk from The Divide
CONS
- Main track can be impassable after heavy rain; detour may be required
- Busy during Great Walks season; parking pressure at The Divide
- You can’t see the very top due to the concave drop
Overview
Earland Falls is a head-turning, high-volume cascade on the Routeburn Track. Fed by Lake Roberts, it plunges down a sheer, glaciated wall and often throws spray straight across the track—intimate, wild, and very Fiordland.
Getting There
Most day walkers start from The Divide on SH94 and follow the Routeburn Track to the falls—plan roughly 7.5 km total and about 2.5–3 hours for the out-and-back. The track is part of a Great Walk: well formed, well marked, and popular.
What You’ll See
Expect lush, mossy beech forest, ferns, and frequent glimpses of big mountain country. At the falls, you’ll feel the spray at the base; because the drop is concave, the true top stays hidden from the track viewpoint. On clear days, sections of the approach offer expansive views, and many hikers add nearby Key Summit for an even bigger panorama.
Conditions and Safety
Flow varies dramatically. After rain, Earland roars and can flood the main route—use the signed detour track when water is high. Surfaces get slick, and conditions change fast in Fiordland. Check Department of Conservation track alerts and weather before you go and carry proper rain gear.
Wildlife
Keep an eye and ear out in the forest for native birds like fantails, robins, tomtits, and bellbirds—this section of bush is lively, especially on calmer, drier days.
Amenities
There are no facilities at the falls themselves. The Divide trailhead has a shelter, toilets, and tables, but once you’re on the track it’s just you, the forest, and a lot of water.
Best Time to Visit
- For drama, go after rainfall—be ready for spray and potential detours.
- For fewer people and easier parking, arrive early, especially during the Great Walks season (roughly October–April).
- Photographers: the falls are close-range; bring a lens cloth for spray and expect moody, misty light after rain.
Make a Day of It
If conditions and time allow, pair Earland Falls with the Key Summit side trip—together they make one of the standout day hikes off Milford Road.
Where it is
-44.8032, 168.1576Tips for Earland Falls
- 01Start early to secure parking at The Divide trailhead.
- 02Check DOC track alerts and the forecast—high flows can close the main route.
- 03Pack a reliable rain jacket; the spray at the falls can soak you.
- 04Add Key Summit if the weather’s clear for a bigger payoff.
- 05After heavy rain, use the signed detour below the falls and expect slick footing.
Amenities
Near Earland Falls
All places →All trails →
1.5 mi awayLake HowdenQuiet forest lake at a famous track junction
1.7 mi awayKey Summit Lookout360-degree alpine views and tarns via a short Routeburn side tripScenic Viewpoint · Exhibit
2.5 mi awayThe DivideBusy gateway to Routeburn and Key Summit with shelter and toiletsTrailhead · Restroom
2.5 mi awayKey Summit TrackShort climb to Fiordland panoramas, tarns, and alpine bogsModerate · 4.2 mi · 2.5 hr
2.5 mi awayPop's View LookoutQuick pull-off with big Hollyford Valley views and cheeky keaPullout · Parking
2.5 mi awayPop's View Lookout WalkRoadside panorama over the Hollyford Valley with kea and a memorialEasy · 0.2 mi · 15 min
2.5 mi awayRouteburn TrackA classic 20 mile alpine traverse with huts, lakes, and big views.Challenging · 20 mi · 24 hr
2.5 mi awayRouteburn Track to Lake MackenzieRainforest to alpine, finishing at a glassy blue lakeModerate · 7.5 mi · 4.5 hr
