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Experience the Sweeping Scenery at Sutherland Falls
Published by Andy Hayes, Writer
Country: New Zealand 
The Experience
As one of the tallest and mightiest waterfalls in the world, those who make the long trek into the remoteness of New Zealand’s south island are rewarded with a beautiful treat, Sutherland Falls. Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, call Sutherland Falls Te Tautea, or the White Thread. It is possible to walk directly to the base of Sutherland Falls; here, the sheer force of water is felt as a damp whirl wind, visibility is reduced as the air fills with mist, and the roar of the falls is so loud one might expect an airplane to appear from the falls at any moment.
Sutherland Falls has what is called a ‘tiered plunge’ as the water makes three different leaps during its decent. Dropping 580 metres, 1,904 feet, this is the highest waterfall in New Zealand, although the figures have been disputed. The waters come from a rock basin called Lake Quill that directly spill over the near-vertical cliff face. Named after Donald Sutherland, an explorer who found the falls while exploring travel routes between Milford Sound and Lake Wakatipu, it is assumed this majestic creation has been pouring down the mountain wall since the last ice age.
To visit the falls, one must hike along the Milford Track, one of the impressive walking trails that criss-cross New Zealand’s varied landscape. It is also important to note that this section of the track is one of the most difficult, so visitors should be well equipped with proper footwear, clothing, and gear.
To make things even more difficult, only a passing view of Sutherland falls is available from the trail itself. To get a better view or to visit the base of the falls, one must make a 90-minute return excursion from the trail, although the walkways are well signposted (look for the yellow-and-green markers). The detour begins from the Quinton Hut shelter, and many walkers who go to the falls often leave their packs here to travel unencumbered to see the White Thread in person.
This is probably one of the few times during a trip to New Zealand when you’ll pray for rain. After a good storm, the falls simply explode from the side of the mountain with a deafening roar and a wild spray that you can see and hear well before arrival at the base. The impression this cascade will make on you can simply not be felt in photo or video.
Sutherland Falls has what is called a ‘tiered plunge’ as the water makes three different leaps during its decent. Dropping 580 metres, 1,904 feet, this is the highest waterfall in New Zealand, although the figures have been disputed. The waters come from a rock basin called Lake Quill that directly spill over the near-vertical cliff face. Named after Donald Sutherland, an explorer who found the falls while exploring travel routes between Milford Sound and Lake Wakatipu, it is assumed this majestic creation has been pouring down the mountain wall since the last ice age.
To visit the falls, one must hike along the Milford Track, one of the impressive walking trails that criss-cross New Zealand’s varied landscape. It is also important to note that this section of the track is one of the most difficult, so visitors should be well equipped with proper footwear, clothing, and gear.
To make things even more difficult, only a passing view of Sutherland falls is available from the trail itself. To get a better view or to visit the base of the falls, one must make a 90-minute return excursion from the trail, although the walkways are well signposted (look for the yellow-and-green markers). The detour begins from the Quinton Hut shelter, and many walkers who go to the falls often leave their packs here to travel unencumbered to see the White Thread in person.
This is probably one of the few times during a trip to New Zealand when you’ll pray for rain. After a good storm, the falls simply explode from the side of the mountain with a deafening roar and a wild spray that you can see and hear well before arrival at the base. The impression this cascade will make on you can simply not be felt in photo or video.
When to Go to Sutherland Falls
Summer, December-February is the best time to visit Sutherland Falls, offering long hours of daylight to prevent you from being caught out in the dark.
Odds n' Ends
The Sutherland Falls are a great excuse to explore the entire route of the Milford Track, one of the most popular trails in the Fiordland National Park, full of amazing vistas, stunning sights, and an overwhelming sense of the power of nature.The Kiwi weather can be unpredictable so not only are flashlights required, but also wet weather gear and comfortable clothing suitable for both hot and cold spells.
Want a Guide?
- Milford Track Guided Hike
- A 5 day /4 night walk along the Milford Track with a guide.
- South Island Sojourn - GAPAdventures.com
- New Zealand’s South Island is a land of jaw-dropping contrasts: snow-capped mountains, shining lakes, hidden coves and plunging fjords. It’s like a giant outdoor playground, and however you travel through this Tolkien-worthy landscape—feet, bike or boat—it’ll leave you breathless.
- South Island Adventure - HikingNewZealand.com
- This is an active New Zealand adventure - hiking, kayaking and cycling around New Zealand's South Island. Hike amongst limestone canyons and lush rainforest, and into rugged mountains.
- The Milford Track - UltimateHikes.co.nz
- Traversing the heart of New Zealand's wild fiord country, the Milford Track has long been described as "the finest walk in the world".
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
At the head of the lake (44km from Queenstown) in Glenorchy "Gateway to Paradise" sits Glenorchy Lodge, offering country comfort, home cooking and unparalleled hospitality. ... 32 miles away
Situated at the head of Lake Wakatipu, just a short scenic drive from Queenstown, lies the peaceful retreat of Glenorchy. Here you'll find the Glenorchy ... 32 miles away
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- Leap off The Ledge as you Bungy over Queenstown
- It's 6pm. Standing on a metal platform with a harness strapped around my waist, my nerves begin to kick in. A high wind catches my breath, as I gaze down onto the twinkling lights of Queenstown far below. Lake Wakatipu stretches out like inky glass edging up to the rocky peaks of the Remarkables Mountains far in the distance. A few minutes ago, I was relishing the idea of bungy jumping as I rode the spiffy gondola up the mountainside to The Ledge. Now, faced with nothing but 400 meters of air between myself and the city lights, I can't ...48 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
Departing from the Milford Sound Wharf, the Milford Mariner cruises the length of the Milford Sound to the Tasman sea, New Zealand. The vessel explores ...13.26 miles away via Milford Sound.
$158+
On reaching Deep Cove, you will board a spacious catamaran for a three-hour Doubful Sound Wilderness Cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of ...42.53 miles away via Te Anau.
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Books and DVDs
- Tramping in New Zealand Guide - LonelyPlanet.com
- Explore on foot the natural wonders of this country from coast to Cook. Make tracks across the spectacular range of New Zealand landscapes.
- Wild Fiordland: Discovering the Natural History of a World Heritage Area
- Tramping in Fiordland
Elsewhere on the Web
- Sutherland Falls - WorldWaterfalls.com
- Sutherland Falls is one of the most well known waterfalls in New Zealand, and definitely has a reputation around the world.
- Sutherland Falls - Wikipedia.org
- Sutherland Falls are a waterfall located on the South Island of New Zealand.
- Milford Track - DepartmentofConservation
- The Milford Track (53.5 kilometres) is in the heart of spectacular Fiordland National Park, part of the Te W?hipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area and is administered by DOC on behalf of the New Zealand public.
- MilfordTrack.net
- Once described as the finest walk in the world, the Milford Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular walks, with approximately 14000 people completing the Milford track each year.
Media References
- Into the Wilds of New Zealand - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)
- The remarkable name Cam Speedy belongs not, as you might expect, to a race-car driver, but in fact to a biologist with the New Zealand Department of Conservation. I've sought him out for advice, and he's giving it to me in a good-news-bad-news way.
- New Zealand: Exploring the State of Adrenaline (magazine)
- Lake Quill and Sutherland Falls; a visitor bungees from Kawarau Bridge.
- Milford Track Wow, Wow, Wow -Life Down Under (blog)
- We just got back from Fiordland and our hike of the world famous Milford track. Absolutely incredible!
- A Walk Through New Zealand’s Watery Wild - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- IN 1908, The Spectator magazine called the 33.5-mile Milford Track through Fiordland National Park in New Zealand “the finest walk in the world,” an honorific still credible to knowledgeable hikers — one fan was Sir Edmund Hillary — a full century later.
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