A beautiful waterfall located about 10 minutes from Auckland city is Oakley Creek falls. If you want to spend the weekend getting close to nature, this will be the perfect place to go. Check out the article below to learn more about the stunning Oakley Creek waterfall and its walkway in New Zealand.
1. Oakley Creek Waterfall: One of the best attractions in Auckland
The only waterfall in the Auckland City region is Oakley Creek Falls. The waterfall is located in the Oakley Creek Reserve, part of the city’s last remaining natural stream, Oakley Creek, also known as Te Auaunga. The reserve runs beside Great North Road.
The Oakley Creek falls is a small refuge in the middle of the city’s activity. It’s a simple and tranquil journey that leads to a lovely creek and a 6-meter-high waterfall. The only waterfall in the heart of Auckland is the Oakley Creek Waterfall, which is the highest urban waterfall in all of New Zealand. In the summer, it turns into a popular location with people jumping off the edge.
Do you know Auckland, New Zealand: World’s Best Place To Travel In 2023
2. A guide to the Oakley Creek walkway
Entrance guide
One of Auckland’s longest urban streams, Te Auaunga (Oakley Creek), is a great place to wander.
Since there is parking inside the park, Phyllis Reserve is a perfect site to start the trek. Behind the second sport, the field is where the walkway begins. Heron Park or Great North Road are additional starting points for your stroll.
There are some steep stretches and stairs on the rather short concrete route. It’s perfect for strolling, but leave the bikes, scooters, and strollers at home.
The path winds through mature trees and follows Te Auaunga. The creek is abundant in native and exotic plants and animals and has a strong Mori and European heritage. Included in this is the endangered New Zealand longfin eel. The Friends of Oakley Stream organization was founded in 2004 to assist in safeguarding the ecosystem of the creek and enhance water quality.
Try racing sticks down the swiftly flowing creek from the bridges.
Read more Visit Purakaunui Falls: New Zealand’s Most Photographed Waterfall
Go deep inside
You’ll reach a six-meter-high natural waterfall, one of Auckland’s best-hidden secrets, after around ten minutes. Oakley Creek Waterfall is the only waterfall in central Auckland and the highest urban waterfall in all of New Zealand. Take the stairs down to enjoy the waterfall view if you want to come closer. After rain events, the water level may be high, so check the conditions beforehand. Please heed the warnings and refrain from swimming in the water.
The walk continues past Oakley Creek Waterfall and up more stairs onto Great North Road. You have two options: either turn around and return to where you started along Great North Road.
Kids may enjoy some fantastic playgrounds in the area following the tour. A popular family destination is Waterview Reserve (across Great North Road), or head to Heron Park playground in the south to ride the flying fox. Observe the signage for the off-leash dog area at Heron Park.
Don’t miss Places Of Interest In Auckland You Must Visit At Least Once
3. How to get there
From Auckland City Center, the falls is around a 15-minute drive away. The surface of the road is always sealed.
From Auckland City, take the SH16 west and exit at Exit 8, then turn left onto Great North Road (southbound). On your left lies the Oakley Creek Reservation.
To reach the waterfall’s lookout, use the pedestrian crosswalk to cross Great North Road, then use the short Oakley Creek Walkway. From the reserve entrance, it takes 5 minutes to walk to the base of the falls and 20 minutes to complete the entire loop of the walkway.
4. Parking guide
There are two suggested places to park your vehicle because Great North Road is quite congested and lacks parking:
- Designated parking lot with restrooms and a picnic area near Cowley Street;
- Parking is available on Alford Street.
5. The best time to visit Oakley Creek Waterfall
The falls are most impressive right after it has rained; otherwise, it is not very impressive.
