Discovering a Waterfall in Hunua Gorge
Located on Hunua Road, the Hunua Gorge is a picturesque drive in Auckland that leads you towards the Hunua Ranges. As you travel east through the gorge, you will see the Hays Creek Falls, a local name, situated on the Hays Stream, just before you reach Hays Creek Road.
You can park on the road verge approximately 50 metres past the waterfall. An informal track provides access to the top of the falls, but for a direct view, you'll need to walk back along the road.
Exploring Hays Creek Road and the Dam
After admiring the waterfall, continue a short distance and turn onto Hays Creek Road. Park near the gated entrance, which marks the start of a walk to the Hays Creek Watercare Dam. This walk, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes, follows a road alongside Hays Creek.
A fork in the road leads to the dam's overflow stream, about 10 minutes away, where you can find a small waterfall surrounded by a mix of concrete barriers and natural streambed. The area around the dam also features a large, secluded grassy space encircled by trees, ideal for a private picnic.
How to get there
To reach Hunua Gorge from Downtown Auckland, take the southern motorway to the Papakura off-ramp. Head east on Beach Road, which transitions into Settlement Road. After approximately 4 km, turn south onto Hunua Road and follow it to the gorge. The drive to Hays Creek Road is about 39 km and takes around 36 minutes.
Nearby attractions in the Hunua Ranges include Hunua Falls and the Cossey Massey Loop.
