Tongariro National Park is full of hidden gems and one that is easily accessed is the unofficially named Lupton Falls. At 17m it isn't as high or spectacular as the 39m Waitonga or 28m Mangawhero falls but has its own charms all the more because it is tucked away and involves only a small effort to reach. When a group from the Wanganui Tramping Club visited Lupton Falls recently only one in the group had ever been there or even knew of its existence.
All three falls — Lupton, Waitonga and Mangawhero — are in the same vicinity. The Waitonga, highest in the park, is a multi-step waterfall of two leaps. These waterfalls are particularly beautiful since viewers enjoy not one but several waterfalls at once. The Mangawhero is a plunge waterfall which occurs when fast-moving water hurtles off the edge of a cliff, falling vertically in an uninterrupted sheet.
Lupton is a horsetail waterfall which is similar to a plunge waterfall, but in this case the water maintains contact with the bedrock most of the time. The water starts from a small stream and widens a little during its steep descent, creating a fair amount of mist during the fall — an appearance similar to that of a horse's tail.
You can treat yourself to the Waitonga and Lupton falls on the same walk. From Ohakune, drive some 12km up the Ohakune Mountain Rd to a carpark and go along the Waitonga Falls track until you reach those falls. Follow the track another 50m over the first stream crossing. About 100m further on go left at the next stream and follow its bed for about 15 minutes to the waterfall's base. There is no official track to this waterfall.
The Wanganui Tramping Club's weekend programme for March is:
March 5-6 Sat-Sun: Pine pulling Mt Ruapehu, leader Esther.
March 12 or 13 Sat or Sun: Deadman's Track, leader Shane.
March18-24 Fri-Thurs: Whirinaki Forest Park, leader Dave.
March 19 or 20: Whakapapa Crossover, leader Bruce.
March 26-27 Sat-Sun: Moeawatea to Moeroa, leader Basil.
March 26 or 27 Sat or Sun: Mania Track, leader Terry.
