- Where to find: Wairakei Nature Park, a few kilometers from Taupo, New Zealand;
- Entertainment: extreme, rafting, swimming to the foot of the waterfall;
- Cost: a boat ride to the foot of the waterfall - $ 90
Hookah Falls is one of the most fascinating and most popular not-miraculous sights of New Zealand , representing a cascade of waterfalls on the Huikato River, the country's largest river, which originates in the crater lake of Taupo . This lake is considered the largest pantry of fresh water on the planet.
Geographical location of waterfalls
Waterfalls Hooke are among the top ten waterfalls in New Zealand . "Huka" in translation from the native language of the Maori people is translated as "foam". They are located in the territory of the excursion park of Wairakei, a few kilometers north of the city of Taupo. The waterfalls are characterized by the rapid flow of the Huikato River, which in a few hundred meters considerably narrows, turning from a serene river 100 meters wide into a rapidly raging stream, barely reaching 15 meters wide. This canyon was formed several centuries ago due to a large eruption of the volcano, instead of which Lake Taupo appeared.
Natural features of the area
The waters here are crystal clear and incredibly beautiful. A sense of perfect cleanliness and freshness appears due to the huge amount of sparkling water bubbles, whipped into snow-white foam and iridescent sprays, the river flow. Falling from the waterfalls of Hooke water volume reaches 220,000 liters per second.
At the upper boundary of the waterfalls, there are many small cascades rushing down from the 8 meter high. The most stunning segment is the fall of water in the final stage from a height of 11 meters. The average annual water temperature is quite high: in the winter months it reaches 10 degrees, and in summer the water warms up to 22 degrees. Despite this tempting temperature of the water, swimming along the waterfalls of Hook is dangerous even for athletes who have excellent experience, because the streams of water are too turbulent and unpredictable.
Information for tourists
All tourists and young naturalists can easily get to the Huka waterfalls themselves, as the state highway State Highway 1 is passing nearby. For all fans of extreme alloy in the Tourist Park, an opportunity for rafting on inflatable rubber boats on the Huikato River is available all year round. For those who want to enjoy the rapid flow of water, there is a place on the pedestrian bridge stretched above the waterfall. Here will open a stunning panorama for photographers and connoisseurs of water landscapes.
A fast-moving amphibious motorboat will bring fans of extreme sports directly to the gap in a few meters, where waterfalls flow into the river. A ticket for such a boat tour can be purchased for about $ 90.
Not far from Lake Taupo and the center of Taupo is a resort complex with the same name Huka Falls Taupo, it is almost within walking distance - 3 minutes by car. By car to the waterfalls of Hook can be reached in about 2 minutes.
Despite the fact that in New Zealand there are many of the highest waterfalls, Huka falls always attract a huge number of tourists due to its fascinating sight.
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