Fairy Falls is in the Waitākere Ranges and is accessible on Scenic Drive between the Cutty Grass Track and Spragg Bush Track, northwest of the turnoff on Piha Road to Piha. The falls track was closed in 2018 due to kauri dieback in the ranges and reponed in October 2024 following substantial improvements, including the construction of a dramatic series of raised steps, with two bridges, that zig-zag down the falls, with numerous big kauri trees. The work was undertaken by reNarture, and you can follow their other projects here.
The track takes about 30 minutes each way and drops around 180 metres to the base of the falls. It is an easy walk down, but some people may struggle to walk back up.
The first flat gravel section features several tall, mature rimu trees amidst masses of kiekie vines and epiphytes. A couple of forest margins have also opened up due to tree fall, and you may spot the odd puawhananga (native clematis), which flowers in mid-Spring. After a few minutes, you will also pass the intersection with a branch track that connects to Tawairi Road, and from there, it is a short walk to the beautiful Spragg Bush Track. There used to be another option for accessing the falls from the bottom, but this is closed.
As you continue, the track starts to head downhill towards Fairy Falls Steam, with some steps. After 20 to 25 minutes, you reach the raised boardwalk that signals the start of the kauri trees that populate the ridges and slopes around the falls. Some of these trees are amongst the oldest in the ranges outside the Cascades.
The falls are often described as 15 metres high, but this is a significant understatement and refers only to the last lower section. Fairy Falls has several steep falls, with a pool separating each section. The rebuilding of the track dramatically enhances the experience, with a bridge over the top of the falls and a second bridge over the top of the lower falls. From the top, you can see a tumbling drop, with pools, of over 60 metres down to the second bridge. Overall, the falls drop about 80 metres, up there with Kitekite Falls and Waitākere Falls (which is hard to see). There are steps to access two pools above the final 15-metre drop. You used to be able to soak in the bottom pool, but this has been discouraged with a fenced viewpoint at the base of the steps.
There is a mid-sized car park opposite the main track entrance on Scenic Drive. This walk is very popular on nice weekends and public holidays, so try to avoid these days. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the car park from Downtown, outside rush hour.
