Contemplate the Power of the Huka Falls.

The "apocalypse" word may seem exaggerated, but it is, however, the scientific term used by the volcanologists to classify the most powerful and destructive eruptions of all time.

And 26,500 years ago, the Oruanui eruption devastated a surface of 1000 km2.

The northern part of the New Zealand Island was entirely covered by burning ashes.

Many species have become extinct, and the entire planet’s climate was affected.

Today, the lush vegetation conceals all the evidence of such a cataclysm.

Then, another violent eruption in 130 A.D. gave birth to Lake Taupo on the North Island.

The Waikato River, who leaves the lake to meet the sea, seems peaceful. But the calm appearance is deceptive. Soon the riverbed made of volcanic rock narrows to create a bottleneck.

The flow becomes stronger and stronger. Furious waters suddenly fall with an incredible strength. Welcome to the Huka Falls! Here, the visit is not limited to the contemplation a fall, even if it is a spectacular one... This area of New Zealand also delivers some surprises that will remain for a long time engraved in your memory.

In Maori, the word "Huka" refers to both the scum and the sugar: it is perfectly suited here.

This is a show that can literally hypnotize you. In summer, under the heat of the sun, you can be easily captivated by the sparkling brilliance of the turquoise waters.

You would not be the first travelers to feel the desire to dive into the falls. It would be forgetting how these waters are dangerous...

The height of the falls is not extraordinary (only eleven meters), but the water flow is breathtaking. Imagine that 220 m³ is being poured every moment (about 220,000 liters). The Huka Falls could easily fill Olympic swimming pools in few seconds!

Some brave (crazy?) people have attempted to cross the fall. Few survived the experience.

The first to try was the legendary Explorer Maori Tamatea. Considered as the Marco Polo of New Zealand, he had explored the largest part of the country. His adventure (and his life) stopped there: he was killed during his attempt.

The great feat was, however, accomplished by Greg Oke and Nick Kirkham in 1981. Aboard their kayak,, they crossed the falls and survived.

Other overtrained sportsmen also emerged unscathed. They all describe a sensation of a free fall. One has the impression to be literally sucked up by the current!

You will have understood what I intend to say: this is not a place where you may swim. From the observation deck that overlooks the falls, the sight is impressive.

One hardly dares to bend over to take some pictures. Please note that a gazebo located a little further offers another point of view.

It is the most visited location of the country (even if it is not the most interesting in my humble opinion). Fortunately, the place is far from the commercial exploitation that one can deplore at the Niagara Falls.

There is just a single shop selling ice cream and postcards, and it also serves as an information center.

In summer, you should come early in the morning to admire the falls. Otherwise it is difficult to take a picture without having another tourist just in front of you. The parking is vast, but can be crowded quickly.

Fortunately, most visitors only come to admire the falls from the observation deck because it's free. They will continue their journey after a fifteen minutes stop. It should be noted that access to the falls is facilitated by the proximity of Taupo.

But we did not come only to admire the falls from above. To truly enjoy the experience, one has to be closer to the falls. Of course, you might get soaked, but trust me and book a Huka Jet tour: you won’t regret it!

The principle is simple: we will navigate on the Waikato River up to the Huka Falls.

Since an ordinary boat would face difficulties withstanding such a powerful current, we will board on a powerful jet boat capable of reaching 90 km/h. Imagine yourself driving at this speed on a highway... excepted that this time it won’t be a highway but a raging river!

I don't want to hear any excuses like the classic: “The weather is not so warm today, and I don't want to get soaked ...”

You should watch the faces of the passengers who complete the jetboat tour just before us. They look like they did a roller coaster instead of a trip on a river.

Seems like everyone is smiling! Which usually means that the activity was great. And I can assure you that you won't be disappointed by the journey.

Everything begins with the distribution of oilskins and life jackets. The jetboat can accommodate 15 people including the pilot. You can take a seat wherever you want in one of the four rows.

The most fearless among us should sit at the front. Do not think that sitting at the bottom will prevent you from being soaked! The best seats are actually at the center of the jet boat.

There is a security bar which you can hold exactly as in a roller coaster.

A great news for you: these security bars are heated. Anyway, in summer the water temperature is around 22°C.

People wearing any kind of hats are requested to remove them. If you fear the cold, you should wear a wool cap instead. In any case, you should remove your glasses if possible before the trip.

And here we go! This is just incredible to see how fast the jetboat can move in just a few seconds!

At every bend, I have the impression that we are going to come crashing against a rock or hit a tree.

The jetboat is very handy, and our Kiwi pilot is a true champion.

As evidence, he executes a perfect 360° rotation (people with a fragile stomach should select another kind of activity). We slalom while going up the river and we are shaken a lot.

At full speed, the wind is so strong that you'll almost find it hard to breathe. With 180-degree turns and surprise accelerations, it's will blow your mind!

While screaming or laughing (sometimes both at the same time), you lose track of time.

I think it's the adrenaline rush which kills the fear... unless it is the incredible landscape that diverts your attention from the danger?

The pilot checks regularly if everything is fine on board, and tells us a few hilarious anecdotes about his job, the river and the region.

We approach the Huka Falls and we feel the water furiously banging against the hull.The Jet approaches the waterfall, to the great surprise of the tourists watching us from the belvedere.

Cameras which were kept safe under oilskins reappear as by magic. The pilot manoeuvres our jetboat so we can easily immortalise the moment on a film.

The return journey is as crazy as the outward journey! You will disembark with shaky legs, but with a large smile on your face!

In the end, 35 minutes of fun cost about $100 ($65 for children). It may seems expensive at first sight, but compared to a rollercoaster lasting two minutes, it worth the price. I remember meeting an old couple (who was celebrating a second honeymoon in New Zealand), who told me that “it was a far better experience than a gondola ride in Venice”.

For practical details, Ben the Kiwi is at your service at the end of this article. He will tell you anything you need to know to book a Huka Falls Jet tour. But the adventure in New Zealand is not over yet! There is another wonder close to the Huka falls that you must not miss before leaving!

It is almost what I'm offering you to discover right now. Icing on the cake, this activity is free and unknown to most tourists in the region.

The Aratiatia Rapids are only 50 meters away from the falls. Legend says that a Maori priest named Tia priest discovered this mighty river surrounded by steep cliffs.

At first sight, it appears to be a dried-up river bed. The landscape is nice indeed, but there are no rapids to be seen here... but do not be fooled!

A blockbuster movie is not your sole opportunity to witness a flood If you follow the dry river, you'll finally reach a great dam.

Several times a day, the valves open up to dump the overflow of the Lake Taupo in the Aratiatia river bed.

By security measure, a siren sounds a few minutes before the opening. The spectacle is very impressive!

Sheltered at a safe place in the heights, we are witnessing an unbelievable metamorphosis... The furious rapids suddenly appear at an inconceivable rate of 90,000 liters per second!

The water rushes down the river bed at breakneck speed. A person who would have inadvertently found himself there would have been swept away instantly.

It does not frighten few well-trained sportsmen who await the rapids in their kayak! I advise everyone not to try such madness! Unless you have ten years of practice and a Red Bull logo tattooed on your forehead, you should observe the phenomenon from a safe place instead.

To be honest, such phenomenon is not actually natural: it is triggered by man, but it exists elsewhere in New Zealand and can be very dangerous.

Some rivers are subject to sudden floods, often triggered by torrential rain upstream. The level of the river may increase of several meters in few minutes. This is the main reason why camping in a riverbed is strongly discouraged, even if the river seems to have gone for many years.

Remember to take pictures before and during the flood in order to compare the difference later. It is, of course, even better if you can shoot a video instead.

Not to miss the show, you have to be here on time (Ben the Kiwi will give you the opening hours of the dam at the end of this article).

Half an hour later, the valves close up and the river returns to its peaceful appearance... waiting for the next flood!

The entire walk takes about 4 hours (round trip) to complete.

To save time, renting mountain bikes at Taupo is perhaps the best solution. Please note that you are not obliged to follow the full itinerary.

There are three observation deck perfectly indicated. The first one is located only half an hour from the departure.

There are still plenty of things to discover before going back.

The Huka Falls River Cruise “Maid of the Falls” navigate on the Waikato River up to the falls during about one hour and a half. This is an excellent alternative for those who are not too fond of strong sensations.

Essentially, this tour gives more time to take pictures in good conditions. One can sit inside to listen to the explanations of the captain regarding the river. I'm always impressed to see staff keeping its enthusiasm day after day.

At the end of the tour, coffee and tea are offered on board, and the whole experience is far less expensive than the one at Huka Falls Jet.

The “Huka Falls Walkway - Spa Park” is a trail that leaves from the Taupo City to reach the falls. Easily accessible, it follows a flat track most of the time. It harbors a little secret near a bridge close to a waterfall: a thermal spring of hot water allows you to bathe in all weathers. Remember to bring your swimsuit and refreshments for the trip.

The “Huka Falls Prawn Park” is close to the Huka Jet wharf and it is the only shrimp breeding in New Zealand.

By harnessing the geothermal heated river water, it is possible to breed huge shrimp. The certified world record is 68 cm!

The restaurant can cook them for you, but you can also fish some shrimps by yourself.

Do not forget to visit the famous Huka Falls Craters of the Moon. Just follow the road for a few kilometers after the Huka Falls car park. Expect to be transported into another dimension.

Between craters of boiling mud and steaming sulfur, the circuit offers a foretaste of Rotorua. Alas, the access to the park is no longer free, and you will have to pay about $8 for an adult ticket.

You just need half a day to contemplate turquoise waterfalls, navigate on a river at 90 km/h, contemplate a deluge or swim in a hot spring...

And to consider that you could have done like everyone else, and missed all those wonderful activities!

I am sure you will take a hundred pictures of this part of your journey in New Zealand. Do not forget to send us the most spectacular ones! We will be published them on Kiwipal. Ben The Kiwi has great advice (on the shrimp fishing and every activity in the region). Being a true expert guide, he can also give you the daily schedules of the Aratiatia Rapids dam.