Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall is easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the South Island of New Zealand. Besides, the towering 131m waterfall is an awesome addition to your Arthur’s Pass road trip.
Enjoy wandering through lush forests, cross beautiful rivers and feel the incredible force of the waterfall. It’s a pretty epic spot and attracts loads of travellers all year round for a good reason!
Not to mention, this is a great walk to get children involved in nature and to do a little exploring. Let’s dive into everything you need to know so you are prepared for your visit!
Where Is the Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall?
The Devil’s Punchbowl is reasonably easy to access and is nearby Arthur’s Pass Village. Type the address below into Google Maps and then follow the directions to reach the location.
It’s just off the highway from Arthur’s Pass and there is plenty of parking to pull over for motorhomes, vans and cars.
If you’re visiting from Christchurch, you’ll be looking at needing to drive around 2 hours. Therefore, making it a great road trip for a day’s adventure!
Address: Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall, Devils Punchbowl Walking Track, Arthur’s Pass Village 7875, New Zealand
How to Get To Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall
You will need to park in the gravel area and then follow the signage towards the river. Keep in mind, you will need to cross over the river, which may get a little higher with heavy rain. Take care in crossing and this is also the only spot you will need to cross water.
Continue following the track upwards towards the first bridge. Around this point, you will get to enjoy the first glimpse of the waterfall which looks absolutely gorgeous from afar!
Furthermore, wander along the track the entire way and never go off course. However, there are quite a lot of steep steps, so keep an eye on your footing and you will shortly arrive at the waterfall.
Finally, the track is very easy to follow so you will have no issues finding your way there. Take the same track back to get back to the car park.
Read more: 9 Things to Do in Arthur’s Pass: Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip
The trail to the waterfall winds in and around the gorgeous forest
Is the Waterfall Worth Visiting?
Yes! The Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall is an excellent way to get some exercise and enjoy a gorgeous slice of nature. The entire walk is beautiful as you enjoy views around the pass, walk through a forest and complete river crossings.
I truly believe it’s one of the better attractions on the pass and definitely one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the South Island!
Read more: In need of a SIM card for New Zealand? Check out some of the options on offer here.
The mystical beauty of the Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall
Visitor Information
There are a few things that you may want to keep in mind when it comes to visiting this beautiful attraction on Arthur’s Pass. Some of the key points of the waterfall and walking track include:
Waterfall height: 131 metres
Length of walk: 2km return
Time duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Dogs: Not allowed
Feel free to visit the Arthur’s Pass Visitor Centre for more advice prior to visiting the waterfall. Additionally, there will be a couple of signposts along the way for information on the walk.
I also recommend checking the DOC website prior to visiting in case there are closures of the track. You wouldn’t want to reach this spot only for it to be closed! Stay updated with the local information and advice through the link.
The Experience
The visit is pretty straightforward, and I think this is one of the better attractions along Arthur’s Pass. Not to mention, it’s great that it’s so close to the village, offering super easy access for visitors!
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire walking trail, there’s so much to enjoy along the way and plenty to see. The river is a beautiful colour and it’s nice to see the water rushing below the bridge as you cross towards the waterfall.
Not to mention, the first glimpse of the waterfall from afar is simply beautiful! It has this incredibly enchanted and mystical vibe with the water falling in slow motion from a distance. This is one of the best viewpoints to enjoy the waterfall.
You will need to do a fair bit of uphill walking and be prepared to lunge up a number of stairs! It can become a little steep at times, but it should be easy enough for the average person.
After around 30 minutes of walking through the forest, you will reach the waterfall. From here, you can enjoy the power of the falls, and you may get sprayed by the mist. Take some photos and read the informative signposts on the significance of the area.
Finally, take the same route back to reach the car park and you will have completed the walk!
Additional Activities in the Area
After completing the walk, you may be interested in completing a couple of other activities. There is a range of things you can do, some of which include:
- Take a stroll along Arthur’s Pass Walking Track
- Hike to the top of Avalanche Peak
- Enjoy Bealey River
- Grab a coffee at the Wobbly Kea Cafe
- Check out the visitor centre for information on the area
- Visit the Arthur’s Pass Store
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, the Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall is a must-visit if you are driving Arthur’s Pass. Even in overcast or rainy weather, it creates an incredibly mystical atmosphere around the region.
I think this is an excellent activity in addition to all the other attractions on Arthur’s Pass. If you’re interested in finding some other places to visit, I recommend checking out this blog post here. I discuss nine of the best activities to enjoy while on the road trip.
Finally, be sure to check out this section of the blog for all things New Zealand.
