Waipori Falls

The four Waipori hydro power stations - the first of which started operating in 1907 - played an important role in supplying electricity to Dunedin. The scheme is now owned by Trustpower who are proposing a wind farm near Lake Mahinerangi, the lake formed by the scheme.
Waipori Falls village developed as the home for the workers on the hydro stations. It is a scenic drive from Dunedin taking about an hour. The route up to the village at the end of a long gorge is on a gravel track known to the locals as "The Driveway".

Helen Comments: Waipori Falls There are no toilets at the picnic area. There is a track to the Crystal Falls at Power stn no 2. A 10 min walk in past a picnic area. However the trees have grown over and block the view from the wooden platform at the end of track. Annoying. 4 Jan. 2012 visit. No signage or info about the dams as you travel along the long gravel road.