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Thunder Creek Falls

Thunder Creek Falls is a 28-metre horsetail waterfall located in Mount Aspiring National Park, in the Haast River valley of New Zealand's South Island.

Situated near the Gates of Haast bridge on State Highway 6, roughly 52 kilometres inland from Haast, the falls are fed by Thunder Creek draining from a hanging valley carved by the ancient Haast glacier over approximately 14,000 years.

The creek flows down to meet the Haast River at an elevation of around 120 metres.

The falls are easily reached via a short, paved track — around 10 minutes return — that passes through kāmahi and silver beech forest before arriving at a viewing platform overlooking the river.

The vivid blue waters of the Haast River at the base make for a striking contrast with the white cascade above.


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