Tawhai Falls: Gollums Pool! The magical waterfalls by Tongariro entrance

If you’re trekking through New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park, a quick pit stop at Tawhai Falls: Gollums Pool, is an absolute must.

This is one of the most iconic filming locations from The Lord of the Rings has both the appeal of cinematic history and the stunning natural beauty that’s so famous in New Zealand.

The short and easy walk to the falls is perfect for stretching your legs and soaking in the stunning scenery. With its crystal-clear waters and lush surroundings,

Tawhai Falls is the perfect place for a serene and picturesque break on your hiking day out.

Go either before or after your Tongariro hike! I choose to go before because I had a feeling I would be tired after the Tongariro crossing hike (and I was right).

Don’t forget – the Tongariro Crossing Hike is named one of the top 10 best hikes in the world!

Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel blogs for attractions nearby on your South Island itinerary or North Island road trip.

Not sure where to go? Have a look at my article on North VS South Island New Zealand, which is better?

Tongariro crossing Hike — Tawhai Falls Gollums Pools

Here are some other North Island articles that are nearby you might be interested in full of travel tips:

Table of Contents

Tawhai Falls: Gollums Pools

There are tonnes of LOTR filming locations to visit around NZ so make sure you have a look at the list.

There’s actually over 100 filming locations, but I’ve picked the top ones!

And clearly this is one of the best of them. Tawhai falls is near the Tongariro crossing and Whakapapa Village. Make sure you read the full guide to the Tongrariro Alpine crossing because I list 11 photogrenic stops you can’t miss – this includes the Taranaki Falls.

Tawhai Falls

It’s such an easy walk – maybe 10-15 minutes total – about 7 minutes there, 7 minutes back. The Tawhai Falls Walk is 800m to the waterfall, so fairly quick!

The walk down to Tawhai Falls is pretty easy and the descent is only about 20 to 30 m.

It sounds a lot but it’s actually not that noticeable when you’re walking down for 10 minutes or so I would say it’s not necessarily access friendly as it is a dirt path with some uneven steps, but if you are okay with uneven footing, then you should be absolutely fine here.

Stop for lunch

At the bottom there is a bunch of rocks lined up along the bank where a lot of people will stop to have their lunch and honestly honestly it’s one of the most beautiful places to sit back and relax.

I saw countless people here at around lunchtime, pulling off their shoes and socks after the long Tongariro crossing hike and having a packed lunch . there’s plenty of room under the trees on wide flat rocks in the dappled sunlight so it’s definitely worth a visit.

You can also from rock to rock or clamber up the side of the bank to where the famous scene is filmed Tawhai falls Gollums pool.

This easy path is well-marked, allowing hikers of all levels to enjoy. As you approach the falls, you’ll be greeted by the soothing sound of cascading water and the lush greenery surrounding the area. It’s a perfect spot to pause, take photos, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and cinematic history of this incredible location.

Gollums Pool

Gollum’s Pool is famously featured in “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.”

In this memorable scene, Gollum catches a fish while Sam and Frodo rest during their journey to Mordor. It’s also where Gollum thinks he has been betrayed by Frodo.

The serene and mystical ambiance of the falls captures the essence of Middle-earth, making it a must-see for any fan of the films.

But don’t expect it to look dark and shadowy like Gollums cave in LOTR; it’s a vibrant spot, especially in the sunshine!

In the picture below where the couple are sitting, that’s the spot where this scene was filmed!

They were sat there for a while so we didn’t end up getting a picture here ourselves, but to be honest, we didn’t feel we needed to!

Car & Campervan Rental

Are you campervanning around New Zealand? It’s recommended that you either hire yourself, a camper van or a car, so you can explore North Island at your heart’s desire..

Depending on what time of year it can be really busy so it is worth looking at your stay well in advance. Bear in mind cost of hotels on your itinerary North Island New Zealand.

Car Rental South Island

Here are some other North Island articles that are nearby you might be interested in:

Quick links

Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad:

Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide

Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia.

E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card!

Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it!

Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank!

North Island Weather

Summer in NZ

Read more about the summer weather in NZ.

Temperature: In January, when it’s summer, the weather is warm on both North & South Island! The temperatures are around 23°C (73°F), while the South Island is a tad cooler, sitting at around 19°C (66°F).

But honestly, on some of the days it was BOILING in the summer, and reaching highs of 30°C (86°F) if not higher. Think, you’ll burn in 15 minutes outside without sun cream.

Rain: Both islands get about 8 rainy days, but you’ve got heaps of daylight to play with, around 15 hours a day. It’s like the sun just doesn’t wanna quit!

Winter in NZ

Read more about the winter weather in NZ.

Fast forward to June, when it’s winter in NZ. Things start cooling down a bit, especially in the South Island. You’re looking at around 11°C (52°F) down there, while the North Island is still a bit milder, hovering around 15°C (59°F).

It’s a bit wetter too, with around 14 rainy days, but, you still get some solid daylight, about 9 hours or so.

So, that’s the gist of it! Both Islands have their pros & cons but frankly, they’re both beautiful.

North Island Weather in January

Average temperature: 23°C (73°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
Average sunset time: 9:30 PM

North Island Weather in February

Average temperature: 25°C (77°F)
Average rainy days: 7
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:00 PM

North Island Weather in March

Average temperature: 23°C (73°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 8:15 PM

North Island Weather in April

Average temperature: 20°C (68°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 11
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:45 PM

North Island Weather in May

Average temperature: 17°C (63°F)
Average rainy days: 12
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:15 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

North Island Weather in June

Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Average rainy days: 14
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:15 PM

North Island Weather in July

Average temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Average rainy days: 15
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

North Island Weather in August

Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Average rainy days: 15
Average daylight hours: 10
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:00 PM

North Island Weather in September

Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
Average rainy days: 13
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:30 PM

North Island Weather in October

Average temperature: 18°C (64°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 13
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 7:45 PM

North Island Weather in November

Average temperature: 20°C (68°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
Average sunset time: 8:30 PM

North Island Weather in December

Average temperature: 22°C (72°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:15 PM

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Tawhai Falls: Gollums Pool! The magical waterfalls by Tongariro entrance