Sutherland Falls

Sutherland Falls is a high volume waterfall in New Zealand and with its 580 meters in three vertical leaps, it is considered as one of the worlds tallest waterfalls. Travelers from the world over who make the extensive trek in the remote south island of New Zealand are rewarded with the breathtaking view of the Sutherland Falls. The indigenous people of New Zealand called the Maori call this magnificent falls the White Thread of Te Tautea. Once you walk to the base of the falls, you will feel the strong force of water. As the air fills with mist, visibility is reduced and the sound of the falls is quite loud that it seems like an airplane is just on top.

Sutherland Falls has a 'tiered plunge' because the water makes three ious leaps on its decent. The three drops of the falls stand 751 feet, 815 feet, and 338 feet tall respectively, occur in such quick succession that when viewed from the air the falls appear to be one long drop that impacts the bedrock in a few places. The water of the falls comes from Lake Quill, which is a rock basin that directly falls over the vertical cliff. Its beautiful to look up and see the water pouring from the glacial reservoir of Lake Quill over the edges of the mountaintops. Sutherland Falls named for Donald Sutherland, a great explorer, who found the falls in 1880 while discovering travel routes between Lake Wakatipu and Milford Sound. William Quill, whom the lake feeding the falls was named for, is thought to be responsible for the first measurement of the falls which was attained by actually scaling the headwall next to the waterfall.

To be able to visit the falls, you should hike along the Milford Track, which is one of the exciting walking trails in New Zealand. Remember that this part of the track is one of the most challenging so travelers must be well equipped with appropriate clothing, gears and footwear.