Fairy Falls (New Zealand)

Fairy Falls
Lower section of the Fairy Falls in 2010
Map
LocationWaitākere Ranges
Coordinates36°54′51″S 174°33′20″E / 36.914278°S 174.555438°E / -36.914278; 174.555438
Total height15 metres (49 ft)

The Fairy Falls are a waterfall in the eastern Waitākere Ranges of Auckland, New Zealand.

Geography

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The falls are a part of the Fairy Falls Stream,[1] a stream that flows northeast towards the Stony Creek. The creek is a tributary of the Ōpanuku Stream, which flows into the Waitematā Harbour at Te Wai-o-Pareira / Henderson Creek.[2]

Access and recreational activities

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The waterfall is accessible by the Fairy Falls track, accessible from Scenic Drive.[3] This track was closed in 2018 due to the threat of kauri dieback,[4] and later by the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.[5] As of September 2024, the majority of the track is open - taking walkers from the car park on Scenic Drive to the bottom of the falls. Access from Mountain Road remains closed.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Appendix H: Outstanding Natural Features (PDF) (Report). Waitakere City Council. 2003. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Place name detail: Fairy Falls Stream". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  3. ^ Easther, Elisabeth (5 April 2015). "Daytripper: Fairy tale walk to falls". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Auckland Council votes to close entire Waitakere Ranges forests". NZ Herald. 20 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Fairy Falls". New Zealand Waterfalls. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Te Piringa / Cascade Kauri, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park". Auckland Council. Retrieved 3 October 2024.