New Zealand - Huka Falls, Taupo

Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand, located in the middle of the North Island.  The outflow of Lake Taupo is the beautiful Waikato River, which flows north and powers much of the North Island with nine hydro-electric power stations along it course.  Starting before Lake Taupo, the Waikato flows through it and continues for another 425km (264mi) to the Tasman Sea, south of Auckland at Port Waikato.

After exiting Lake Taupo, the Waikato River narrows from around 100m (328ft) to only 15m (49ft) wide, forming the Huka Falls.  Running for 8m (26ft) and ending in an 11m (36ft) drop, it is not a particularly tall waterfall, however the appeal it has is the sheer volume of water that forces its way through this small channel.   At 220,000 litres (7,769cu ft) per second, the water is irrepressible and continually wears at the hard granite rock, undercutting the canyon below the waterline.

This first shot is taken from a footbridge which spans the channel about halfway along the Falls, allowing visitors to view them from both sides.  The concrete and steel bridge vibrates continually, giving you an idea of the power of the water as it pounds against the canyon's granite sides.

Notice the colour of the water after the first little drop.  The brilliant turquoise is clearly seen for the length of the Falls, ending in a spectacularly vibrant display in the turbulent pool at their base.

The photo below shows the final 11m drop, which is formed by a 6m (19ft) cliff in the granite bed.  The full height of the waterfall is due to the volume of water, which roughly doubles the height.

For the first article in the New Zealand series, click HERE