The Salisbury Falls is accessed from a signposted turnoff on Aorere Valley Road, five km along the road from the Langford Store. Drive across the bridge, and the access across a paddock is on the left. It is a short hike down a rough track to the base of the falls. You can’t see the falls until you start down the track.
The falls are relatively modest in height, but on the day, they were spectacular. The heavy rain had led to a mass of water flooding from Salisbury Creek. The colourful stones and rocks at the pool's base below the falls added to the scene.
Walk back across the bridge for a spectacular view of the Aorere River. The Salisbury Falls can’t be seen from the bridge, but there were several smaller waterfalls cascading off the side of the gorge.
There is also a rectangular frame near the bridge. This is the remnants of a swing bridge dating back to 1887 that was destroyed in a 2010 flood. Apparently, the water filled the gorge to the height of the main bridge!
It is normally safe to swim below the falls, and they are generally much more sedate. For LOTR fans, the falls appeared in the Hobbit trilogy.
