Last updated May 2026
Shine Falls is the tallest waterfall in Hawke’s Bay at 58 metres, in the Boundary Stream Mainland Island reserve roughly an hour’s drive north-west of Napier. Important: the Shine Falls Track has been closed since Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, with no reopening date set as of late 2025. Bridges and track surfaces remain severely damaged. Below is an overview of the falls for context, plus current alternative falls that are open.
Current Status (Important)
| Track status | CLOSED INDEFINITELY (since Cyclone Gabrielle, February 2023) |
| Damage | Bridges destroyed, large slips, washouts, unstable slopes |
| Reopening | No date set; DOC repair planning underway |
| Check before travelling | DOC Heays Access Road to Shine Falls Track page |
| Alternatives currently open | Bell Rock (Boundary Stream), Maraetotara Falls (Havelock North), Centennial Gardens Waterfall (Napier) |
About Shine Falls
Shine Falls drops 58 metres in a single sheer cascade, the tallest waterfall in the Hawke’s Bay region. The falls sit deep inside Boundary Stream Mainland Island, a 800-hectare pest-controlled DOC reserve managed for native bush regeneration and reintroduction of native birds (kākā, kōkako, kiwi and others). Before Cyclone Gabrielle, the Shine Falls Track was one of the most-walked tracks in Hawke’s Bay: roughly 2 hours return through native bush to a viewing platform at the base of the falls.
The reserve sits in the Maungaharuru Range north-west of Napier, accessed via Heays Access Road off SH2 (north of Tūtira). The wider Boundary Stream area includes other named tracks (Bell Rock, the Loop Track), some of which have reopened since the cyclone while others, including Shine Falls itself, remain closed.
What Happened: Cyclone Gabrielle Damage
Cyclone Gabrielle struck Hawke’s Bay in February 2023, causing extensive damage across the region’s outdoor infrastructure. The Shine Falls Track was hit hard: bridges over the streams between the carpark and the falls were destroyed or undermined, large slips removed sections of track, and the gorge walls became unstable. DOC closed the track immediately and has kept it closed because the damage requires significant rebuilding rather than routine repair.
As of late 2025 (nearly three years after the cyclone), repair work is being planned but no reopening date has been confirmed. Anyone considering Shine Falls should check the DOC page for the current status before travelling. Do not attempt the closed track: slips and unstable slopes pose real risk.
Alternative Falls and Walks Currently Open
For visitors wanting a waterfall walk while Shine Falls is closed:
- Bell Rock: another Boundary Stream track, reopened for summer use; check DOC for current status
- Maraetotara Falls: short walk near Havelock North, open and with a popular swimming hole at the base
- Centennial Gardens Waterfall: 40 m artificial cascade in central Napier, no track required
- Te Mata Peak: not a waterfall but the standout outdoor walking destination in the wider region, fully open
What Visitors Often Say (Historical)
Pre-cyclone reviews consistently rated Shine Falls as the standout waterfall walk in Hawke’s Bay: the 58 m drop, the native-bush approach through Boundary Stream Mainland Island, and the relative ease of the track (around 2 hours return) all got specific mentions. The reserve’s pest-controlled bird life (kākā in particular) added to the appeal.
Current-status feedback (post-cyclone): visitors who arrive at the trailhead without checking find the gates closed and the access road blocked. Multiple recent reviews stress checking the DOC page before driving the hour from Napier, and several suggest Bell Rock or Maraetotara Falls as alternatives.
Where to Learn More
DOC, Heays Access Road to Shine Falls Track: official DOC page with the current track status. Check before travelling.
NZ Herald, Cyclone Gabrielle tracks still closed three years on: recent regional roundup of closed and reopened tracks.
AllTrails, Shine Falls Track [CLOSED]: user reviews including post-cyclone status updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shine Falls open?
No. The Shine Falls Track has been closed since Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023 and remains closed as of late 2025. No reopening date has been set. Check the DOC page before travelling.
How tall is Shine Falls?
58 metres. It is the tallest waterfall in Hawke’s Bay.
Where is Shine Falls?
Inside Boundary Stream Mainland Island, accessed via Heays Access Road off SH2, roughly an hour’s drive north-west of Napier.
Why is Shine Falls Track closed?
Cyclone Gabrielle (February 2023) destroyed bridges, caused large slips and undermined sections of the track. The damage requires major rebuilding rather than routine repair.
What alternatives are open near Shine Falls?
Bell Rock (also in Boundary Stream) reopened for summer use; check the current DOC status. Maraetotara Falls near Havelock North is open. In Napier itself, Centennial Gardens Waterfall is a 40 m artificial cascade with no track required.
When will Shine Falls reopen?
No date has been set as of late 2025. DOC is planning repair work but the scale of damage means the track is closed indefinitely.
Can I attempt the Shine Falls Track if I’m careful?
No. The track is officially closed, and slips and unstable slopes pose real risk. Bridges are missing. Respect the closure.
For more Napier-area walks, see the walking tracks hub. For an alternative open waterfall walk, see Maraetotara Falls near Havelock North.
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