[2][3] The waterfall is part of the Wainui River and cascades over granite bedrock into a deep pool at its base.

[3][6] It is the largest and most accessible waterfall in the Abel Tasman National Park and the Nelson-Golden Bay area, and can be reached via the short Wainui Falls Track.

[6] The track is accessed via a carpark at the end of Wainui Falls Rd, 300 m (980 ft) from the main road (Abel Tasman Drive).

[4] The bridge crosses the Wainui River above large granite blocks and tumbled logs that pile up after winter floods.

The rocks downstream from the falls have rusty red-brown staining that the story attributes to the seepage of blood from the tail.