Category: 1 Star Canyons

Interesting route finding through a boulder choked gorge. One short beautiful narrows section. The lower part of the canyon has had the boardwalk removed after being destroyed by rocks. So now after the last waterfall you head down the stream to gain the track 2 minutes before the carpark. The canyon is extended a further pitch so it has 6 pitches and is well worth the visit.

Tauranikau Canyon v3a2III*

20m
7.5hrs
Public access

Easy, low flow canyon, ending in with a swim through the Kauaeranga Gorge

Hydroslide canyon

2x30m ropes
6hrs
Public access
Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel Range

Diamond Creek v4a2III*

32m
6-8hrs
Public access

25 Pitches. The pick of the bunch in Waiorongomai Valley. Low Flow (much more fun after a bit of rain!) Big, continuous waterfalls with the odd gold mining relic.

Bonny Creek v4a2II*

53m
7.5hrs
Public access

Steep, low volume stream with about 10 rappels, a few jumps and a very scenic finish into the Burke Gorge. Unfortunately a bit slippery, which detracts a little from the descent.

Fyffe Gorge v2a3III*

40m (optional, can walk around)
6-7hrs
Public access

Challenging scramble up a deep limestone gorge to a swim up and explore a short but spectacular marble slot canyon. Options for canyoning short canyon sections on the descent, but all can be walked around.

Rockburn v4a7III*

10m (30m rope)
8hrs
Public access

Main river gorge, with extremely high water levels and numerous huge syphons. Only in condition at the end of a long dry summer.

Purple Creek v3a3IV*

20m
9-10hrs
Public Access

Wilderness adventure canyon, medium gradient, lots of fun scrambling and down climbing. Normally done with a base camp in the Lower Landsborough Valley.

Mangaturuturu Canyon v3a2I*

30m
3hrs
Public access

Shallow, low angled canyon with plenty of escapes. Short, sweet and great for beginners.

Brumms Creek v4a3III*

35m
4hrs20min
Private land on the access route: permission required.

‘U’ Shaped fault line canyon with plenty of short to moderate rappels.

Haehaenga Stream (1st/main tributary) v3a2III*

30m Public Access Steep, Low flow Stream accessed via the Bald Spur summit track from Te Aroha Domain. It is advised to park a shuttle car at the first bridge heading south out of town on Te Aroha-Gordon Road to avoid a long walk back to town at the end of the day!Natural anchors and…

Tui Canyon v3a2I*

17m
1-2hrs
Public access

Short and sweet, with easy access and low flow: this is probably the most descended canyon within range of Christchurch!

Raving Torrent v4a4V*

60m
12hrs
Public access

3hrs in, a number of slides and jumps, and a bigwater swim exit.

Bridges Creek v5a4V*

60m
Private land: permission required

Inconsistent canyon, but with a couple of cool features.

Lake Creek v5a4V*

50m
Private land: permission required

A hard approach to a canyon which isn’t as good as it looks from the road, but still worth doing.

Thigh Burn v4a2III*

60m
Whole day
Public access

Long, steep scrubby approach to a steep, low flow stream with an enclosed section at the end.

Andrews Stream v2a2I*

10m
20mins
Public access.

Moderate flows, short but sweet. Suitable for experienced canyoners to introduce beginners to the sport.

Goldilocks Creek v3a2II*

28m
3.5hrs
Public access

Great introduction to vertical canyoning – low water flow, user friendly features and anchors, and can exit almost anywhere.

Banks Creek v1a3I*

No absiels
Public access

Nice lower gorge and some jumps, worth climbing up after a trip to Devils Creek.

Middle Wakamarina v1a4I*

Float trip
Public access

Big jumps (from the rim) and long swims. Able to combine it with several of the other canyons/gorges in the area.

Devils Creek v3a2II*

25m
4hrs
Public access

Varied and scenic waterway with a handful of nice features, separated by plenty of walking.

Juicy Falls Canyon v4a3IV*

67m
9h30
Public access

Medium flow canyon with beautiful steep, clean abseils. Steep sidewalls in most places. Overall a good, challenging vertical canyon.

Evans Creek v3a3V*

30m
10-11hrs
Public access

A remote, adventurous canyon that is made doable in a long day by the Project Janzoon trapping lines. Probably only worth the effort if you like the idea of exploring a rarely seen beautiful part of the park. You could potentially do Evans, Table, Waterfall over a few days.

Temple Col Canyon v4a2III*

50m
4h45min
Public access

Steep and inescapable after the first drop. Some very beautiful waterfalls, very sheer and steep rock walls and views to Mt Rolleston.

Whataroa Falls Canyon v4a3I*

40m
5hrs
Public access

A short and sweet canyoning trip 40 minutes from Tauranga. Low commitment trip great for less experienced canyoneers with good off-track navigation skills.

Taipo Creek v3a1II*

35m (R30 + DC5m)
3 hrs
Public access

Steep waterfall stream with numerous small – medium abseils concentrated in 500m of streamway.

Halpin Creek v4a2III*

75m
8hr30min
Public access

Halpin Creek is a steep alpine descent. Its scenic approach and descent has impressive views of the peaks and valleys of Arthur’s Pass. The finale is a long, exposed pitch with some sharp rock near the top requiring care — another adventure right off the highway.

Ruapae Falls v4a2V*

37m 2x50m
12hrs
Public access

Waterfall tramping, lots of short drops, boulder scrambling with a final gorge section and drop over Ruapae Falls.

Usually done in two days, with an overnight at Herepai Hut

Black Miller Canyon v3a2II*

20m
1h45m
Public access

Black Miller Stream is a short fun canyoning trip which is not difficult in normal flows & so is an excellent trip for experienced canyoners to introduce beginners to the sport or to break up a road trip through Kaikoura with a short diversion.

Wainui River v3a4V*

12m
10+hrs
Public access

Long, difficult bush bash to a high volume river/gorge with lots of walking and some jumping.

Waikoko Canyon v3a3I*

10m
2hrs
Public access

Short canyon section with some nice narrows and one good drop. Otherwise a pleasant stream walk.

Richardson Stream v3a2IV*

15m
Public access
9hrs

A long adventure to a stream with some canyon features which are small and well-spaced. Probably more of a half star canyon, maybe worth doing if you’ve done everything else in the area and you’re after a long-off track waterfall tramp.

The Lion King v4a3IV*

Highest drop 40m Public access 6.5-8.5hrs A classic case of a great wee canyon with a sub-optimal walk in. An all round adventure that begins with a river crossing then a boulder hop/bash, followed by dense young Beech saplings. Man, I’m really selling it! The canyon is open for the majority of it’s length and…