An impressive, yet easily accessible 2 km hike to the 131 m waterfall in the incredible Arthur’s Pass National Park.
One of the best, and consequently most popular things to do around Arthur’s Pass is to visit the powerful Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall. This is a popular hike for families and those looking for an easy hike for a great reward!
After only a short hike through native forest and board-walk paths, walkers will arrive at a viewing platform, offering incredible views and photo opportunities of this spectacular towering waterfall.
In this guide, I’ll detail how to get here, what to expect, and photography from my visit.

How to Get to Devils Punchbowl Waterfall
The short walking track to Devil's Punchbowl waterfall is located just 700 m north of the Arthur's Pass visitor center. There are plenty of car park spaces both at the visitor center and at the designated car park for the waterfall itself.
I've pinned the exact location of the car park to access the Devil's Punchbowl track below.
Location: Devils Punchbowl Carpark


Walking Track to Devils Punchbowl Falls
- Hike duration: 2 km (45 minutes return)
- Difficulty: Easy
There are clear signposts indicating the direction to the waterfall along the trail from the car park.
The short walk begins at the bridge, and continues up, climbing slightly into the lush beech forest before finishing at a wooden viewing platform just below the falls.
The short walk to Devils Punchbowl waterfall can't really be considered a hike. It's more of a short, boarded leisure walk. This is great news for people looking for a quick waterfall fix that is easily accessible from the highway. We've done this hike many times alone and with family who also found the hike to be easy.
While it is short, this waterfall walk is scenic and gives a great taste of the incredible natural diversity of the Arthur's Pass region. It has many switchbacks which make the climb gradual and the trail is immersed with the sounds of the native alpine Kea birds and Pīwakawaka.



What to Expect at the Waterfall
- Waterfall height: 131 m
- Swimming: No
This waterfall is very tall and plunges heavily down the steep mountain face beyond the viewing platform. Steep rock shelves surround the falls creating the "punchbowl" in which it's named.
Although this one is very accessible, it was, in my opinion, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in New Zealand!
Tip: Visit in the early morning for spectacular shots as the sun hits the top of the falls creating a rainbow spray!


Unfortunately, access to the actual waterfall is prohibited due to the dangerous rockfall present around the falls. Don't worry though, this doesn't mean you don't get a great view of the waterfall.
The DOC has built a wooden viewing platform that is perfect for setting up a tripod or just enjoying the view. From here, you'll get a view of the Devils Punchbowl waterfall and the stream running fiercely down the mossy rocks below.
Tip: Depending on the amount of rain the region has seen on your visit the waterfall spray can reach the wooden platform and completely engulf you so beware!




More Things to Do and See Around Arthur's Pass
If you're looking for more activities, check out some epic experiences below!
Where to Stay in Arthur's Pass

1. Arthur's Pass Alpine Motel Motel
The best-reviewed and bang-for-buck motel in the area. These rooms offer kitchen facilities & great views of the valley and surrounding mountains.

2. The Nook Lodge
While I didn't stay here, if you're in a larger group or if you'd prefer an entire apartment, then you can't go wrong with The Nook. This place offers a private bathroom, bedroom, living room, & mountain views.

3. Mountain House Backpacker Lodge
A Great lodge within 1.4 km of Devils Punchbowl Falls & just 600 metres from Arthur's Pass Train Station, this backpacker lodge offers excellent common areas (lounge & kitchen) for socialising with other travelers.
I hope that you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Devils Punchbowl in Arthur's Pass.
Below you'll find some more blogs and guides for the South Island!
- 36 Amazing Places to Visit in the South Island - my most comprehensive travel guide that is useful to help you find the best places to visit on your trip to the South Island
- Top Things to Do in Queenstown: Explore Queenstown's top hikes, epic adrenaline activities, and hidden gems.
- South Island's Best Hikes: I hiked over 50 trails in New Zealand. Here's my curated list of the most breathtaking hikes across New Zealand's South Island.
- Arthur's Pass Travel Guide: Dive into the heart of Arthur's Pass with my guide to the best places to visit.
- Best Mount Cook National Park Hikes: A hiking guide to the most scenic trails beneath Mount Cook.
- Best Views of Mount Cook: Discover the top spots to witness New Zealand's Aoraki peak in all its glory.
- Epic Things to do at Milford Sound: Explore 21 unique ideas get inspired to visit Milford Sound!
- Catlins' Hidden Gems: Uncover the Catlins' best-kept secrets, from waterfalls to wild coastlines.
- Accommodation Resources: Plan where to stay in Queenstown and discover the amazing Tekapo Lake Hotels.

Susie
Sunday 29th of September 2024
Just read your post on the Devils Punchbowl walk, and while I found it helpful, using words like "accesible" and "boarded" without mentioning all the stairs could get you into trouble with disability groups. Suggest you edit your post to make it clearer what you mean by accessible
Olly Gaspar
Sunday 29th of September 2024
Hi Susie, thanks for reading and for your feedback! While I aim to make my descriptions as clear as possible, I trust that readers with special accessibility requirements will check official access information for any specific needs. That said, I'll update this post with your feedback– but I like to think my readers aren't here to get me 'in trouble'—just to enjoy the hike!