Diana Falls

Overview

Diana Falls is a roadside waterfall and active landslide slope perched above State Highway 6 at Haast Pass/Tioripatea. Think of it as a quick look from the highway rather than a destination walk. The setting is classic wet Southern Alps—steep, forested valley walls and fast‑changing weather—so you’re here for a brief roadside peek and the drama of the landscape.

What You’ll See

From the bridge/road you’ll glimpse the falls and the armored slope above it. The area has extensive rockfall protection, so don’t expect a wild, unobstructed cascade—parts of the main drop are caged or fenced for safety. Most people roll past or pause only if there’s a clearly permitted space to pull over.

Why It’s Famous (2013–2014 Landslides)

A severe storm on September 10, 2013 triggered a major slope failure here, initially dumping thousands of cubic meters of debris onto the highway and causing weeks of closures, with further regressions through late 2013 and into early 2014. The failure scar stretched hundreds of meters high and sent everything from silty gravels to house‑sized schist boulders downslope—serious alpine geology on full display.

The Engineering Story

In 2014, a multi‑stage hybrid barrier/attenuator system was installed to slow and channel future rockfall and debris into controlled catch points at road level. It’s been monitored and tweaked over time and has helped avoid unplanned closures from subsequent rockfall events.

Practicalities

There’s no official Department of Conservation walking track, viewing platform, or toilets at Diana Falls, and a former informal pull‑off was lost to the landslip. If you want a proper stop with parking, use nearby signed car parks such as Thunder Creek Falls or Fantail Falls. For toilets, use DOC campsites like Pleasant Flat (west side) or Cameron Flat (east side) along the highway.

Safety First

This corridor is prone to rockfall after heavy rain. Obey any cones, barriers, and traffic controllers, and don’t linger where stopping isn’t clearly permitted. Services are sparse between Makarora and Haast, so arrive prepared for alpine rain and cool conditions.

Is It Worth a Stop?

If you’re chasing the best waterfalls, nearby Thunder Creek Falls is the crowd‑pleaser. Diana Falls is more about the story of the slope and the engineering than postcard‑perfect photos—interesting if you like geotech, skippable if you don’t.

Best Time to Visit

Swing by on a clear, dry day when SH6 is operating normally. Avoid heavy rain and post‑storm periods, when rockfall risk and traffic controls are more likely.