About Mt Damper Falls
Mt Damper Falls (or Mount Damper Falls if we spell it out) was a waterfall that Julie and I only became aware of when we were flipping through one of the tourist brochures we had obtained from an i-Site earlier on in the trip.
Not only did the falls look attractive, but we also learned that it was said to be 74m tall.
That prompted some to claim that this was the tallest waterfall in the North Island, which I think was untrue due to Wairere Falls among others.
Nevertheless, it became our waterfalling excuse to explore the so-called Forgotten World Highway. Up until then, we had never anticipated seeing this waterfall and so we did not include it in our trip planning.
However, as we were waiting patiently for the weather to clear on a day we were supposed to do the Tongariro Crossing tramp, that was when we took advantage of our scheduling flexibility to spontaneously do the long full-day loop drive.
The day ultimately encompassed the so-called Forgotten World Highway, the conical Mt Taranaki, Waverley Beach, and even the impressive Raukawa Falls as well as this waterfall.
After our initial visit here in November 2004, Julie and I made a return trip to the falls five years later in January 2010.
In that latter trip, it appeared that the falls was no longer as obscure as it once was (thanks to better signage and more sealed roads).
Mt Damper Falls Track
We would end up arriving at the trailhead for Mt Damper Falls (see directions below), where there was one other car parked at the trailhead in this seemingly out-of-the-way place.
We began by passing by a sign that indicated that Mt Damper Falls was a 20-minute walk (which we eventually figured out that they meant 20 minutes in each direction).
We then promptly went onto a dirt track flanked by fences that appeared to cut through the boundaries of someone’s pastures where we could hear sheep all around us.
After about 7 minutes from the trailhead, the track eventually led us to a gated fence leading to a bridge crossing over a creek.
That gate was to keep the livestock from entering the reserve, where the scenery changed from rolling grassy pastures to bush lands filled with native foliage.
During this section of the track, we also noticed a signposted junction indicating that there was a primitive bush track that would lead to Te Rerepahupahu Falls (some 7 hours away). I’d imagine only experienced bush walkers would be well-prepared enough to even embark on a long endeavour like that.
Eventually, the path descended towards the lookout with a direct view of Mt Damper Falls, but we also noticed a small side waterfall in a neighbouring gully.
In our initial visit here, there didn’t appear to be a way to get a cleaner look at the falls, but in our second visit, there was a more obvious use trail that led us to a more open look at this bonus waterfall.
The descending path also afforded us some panoramic river gorge views adding to the scenic allure of this waterfall.
Once we were at the trail’s end at the overlook platform, we could see how the tall plunge waterfall was swaying with the winds making Mt Damper Falls bend from time to time.
At the bottom of the falls, it looked like the falls briefly fanned out before adding to its plunge pool, which didn’t appear to be accessible.
When we finished the excursion both times we’ve done it, we had the trail and waterfall to ourselves. So apparently, this place still remained a bit off the beaten path.
Anyways, the only things that changed over the years between our visits was that the trail appeared to be a bit more developed (more improved lookout platforms and steps) than it was the first time.
That said, the general track trajectory stayed the same.
Indeed, Mt Damper Falls was one dramatic instance where going with the flow yielded one of the best waterfalling experiences we’ve had in New Zealand.
Authorities
Mt Damper Falls is administered under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.
Related Trip Reports
Related Top 10 Lists
Related Itineraries
Trip Planning Resources
Nearby Accommodations
This content is for subscribers only. See Membership Options.Featured Images and Nearby Attractions
This content is for subscribers only. See Membership Options.Visitor Comments:
Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...
Mt Damper – Are there bigger “single drop” waterfalls in New Zealand? August 17, 2010 3:55 am - Regarding the Mt Damper Falls in New Zealand, Wairere is obviously taller but the locals in Taranaki claim Mt Damper to be the "longest single drop". Are there bigger "single drop" waterfalls in New Zealand? I live on the farm at Mt Damper, if people ask me I like to know what I'm talking about… ...Read MoreVisitor Reviews of this Waterfall:
If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...Nearest Waterfalls
