Author: Dan Clearwater

Tairua River, Coromandel Ranges

Public access Waterfall tramping or Gorging Download info sheet for Tairua River, Coromandel Ranges

Pureora Forest park Non-Canyons

Email detailing some streams that are only tramping trips, rather than canyoning Download info sheet for Pureora Forest Park Non Canyons

McGuiness Stream

Public access Steep waterfall tramping. Download info sheet for McGuiness Stream, Coromandel Ranges

Hikuai Stream

Public access Sounds like more waterfall tramping, but with some pools reported. Download info sheet for Hikuai Stream, Coromandel Ranges

Green Tree Stream

Public access Sounds like steep, low volume waterfall tramping. Download info sheet for Green Tree Stream, Coromandel Ranges

Reportedly a number of 3-4m drops Private land access (permit required) More horizontal stream, with plenty of smallish drops. Used to be a commercial trip. Download research sheet for Esk River Canyon, Hawkes Bay

East of Navigator Canyon

Public access Drops upwards of 70m on Map Has been descended, but apparently is not really worth doing. Download info for East of Navigator Canyon, Owhango

Coromandel/Kaueranga Rivers that are NOT canyons

Information from Jim Morrow, who has extensive tramping experience in the area. Notes from streams that are just tramping, not canyon. Download info sheet Coromandel-Kauaeranga Rivers that are NOT canyons

Okahu Stream, v4a3III*

Highest drop 50m Public access 5-6hrs One huge 100m waterfall broken into 2 sections, with some small jumps and stream walking. Download topo for Okahu Stream, Kaitaia

Wentworth River v4a2I*

Highest drop 40m 3-6hrs dependant on route. Public access A couple of beautiful and very easy to access waterfalls. Suitable for experienced absiellers who want to try a little canyoning. Thanks to Shannan Fraser A full description can be found in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.

Belmont Trig Stream

Perhaps suitable as a introductory ‘waterfall tramping trip’ A couple of marked falls in a very small stream. Public access, perhaps a little gorse/scrub to negotiate… Download research sheet for Belmont Trig Stream

Mangarua Stream

Report by Rowan Peck Mangarua Stream, 6th April 2013. Starts from the Waitawheta Tramway track at an obvious bridge, 5.8km or about 1.5 hrs walk from the Franklin Road end. To access from the top, head south from Daly’s Clearing Hut keeping the ridge (off track). Start point 37 30 7.13 / 175 42 56.14, Explored up…

Waitawheta Gorge

Public Access, Waitawheta Gorge, Kaimai Ranges. Volcanic rock, looks like a promising swim/jump/float trip. Track access. Download research sheet for Waitawheta Gorge

Phillips Stream v3a2IV*

Highest drop 25m 10hrs Public Access Information courtesy of Hayden Richards: More of a rough off track walk than a true canyoning trip, Phillips stream requires a lot of access for not much canyoning. However, it would be worthwhile for trampers seeking a canyon without too much technical challenge or commitment. Download CanyonTopo for Phillips…

Shift Creek v4a3IV***

!!! WARNING !!!! !!! WARNING !!!! !!! WARNING !!!! In Nov 2017, the 2m wide slot (R15 & R16) was completely blocked by a log jam, caused by a huge slip. However, it has been slowly clearing out over time. As of Jan…

Canoe Creek, v3a2II (0 stars)

First Descent, Toine Houtenbos and Rikki Brown, 4 May 2014. Access: Lake Head track, East of Lake Rotoiti, about 2hrs to bottom of canyon, (4.5km) Possibility of Water Taxi drop off. “Access is pretty rough. About 1.5hrs [from the lake], three wasp stings and a sketchy traverse later, we ended up in the upper reaches…

Barefoot Burn v4a2III*

Highest drop 45m Public access 8hrs Medium flow canyon with beautiful steep, clean abseils. Steep sidewalls in most places. This canyon is fully featured in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook, available for purchase on this site. Guidebook updates: The Canyon has been partially bolted since the publication of the book. Download the latest Barefoot Burn CanyonTopo

Lower Canyon Creek

Despite looking very impressive from the valley floor, there doesnt appear to be anything of interest. I’ve walked up from the bottom. It’s just a gravelly stream for the first bit. We lost interest about 200m into the gorge (it was winter and we were on a MTB trip!) there’s very little overall elevation drop…

Tutumangao Stream v4a2III*

Public Access 4-5hr round trip 45m **UPDATE OCTOBER 2022*** Unfortunately there has been significant storm damage to the canyon, with lots of trees down in the stream, which makes the trip not reccomended at present. Emma Stanley Original canyon notes There are rappels in the stream almost from the summit of Mt Te Aroha, however…

Eager Beaver Canyon v4a2IV**

Max drop approx 45m 9hr Public Access Waterfall tramping trip. Low volume, several 30-45m drops. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook. Below is a video from Tony Gazley, from a Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club trip to the canyon. WTMC does a few canyoning trips in the area; get in…

Otoutahi Stream

Private land. 70m deep canyon where road crosses the streamway! Good access via road, but on private property, so permission required Download research sheet for Otoutahi Stream

Mangamawhete Stream

Public access Seen whilst rock climbing. Download research sheet for Mangamawhete Stream

Kaukore Stream

Public access near Pipiriki Mostly horizontal canyon, through mudstone (papa) Anchors could be very challenging in the weak ‘rock’ Download research sheet for Kaukore Stream

Whiskey Creek v5a2IV*

Highest drop 53m 8-9hrs Public Access Alpine canyon, with back to back drops, hanging re-belays and a huge free hanging pitch over Whiskey falls themselves. Download CanyonTopo for Whiskey Creek

Johnstone Canyon

From Jame Scholtok via KiwiCanyon Facebook page; “Today (13/12/2017) was my birthday 🙂 and last week decided it was time for Me and the boys should celebrate in style with a first ever canyon descent of Johnstone creek off Mt Richmond. We meet at my house at 6am this morning and packed the last of…

Mathews Stream first full descent

Mathews Stream v6a2V** 29 rappels to 45m. 14hrs30mins round trip. Just over year ago, Pip and I had bailed part way down the first descent of Mathews Stream in the Ruahine ranges. It was a cold day in early October, with a light dusting of snow, overcast skies. We’d done 18 rappels up to 40m…

Pukehinau Canyon v1a2I*

No Drops, swimming only 1hr Public Access Short, deep and beautiful limestone and conglomerate swim canyon. A full description can be found in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.

Waipehi Canyon v3a2VI*

Highest Drop 26m via gully or 70-100m via main canyon 21hrs round trip (Done in two long days, with an overnight at Cattle Ridge Hut) Public Access A huge first pitch that can be avoided if desired. Waterfall tramping, lots of short drops, with some nice gorge sections. Boulder scrambling adventure canyon Download CanyonTopo for Waipehi…

Paradise Creek

UPDATE: Paradise Creek was descended in March 2019. Details on the first descent will be up loaded as soon as we have them. Noted from the look on the Topo, rock type and surrounding canyons. Likely to be high volume and deep. Public Access, via high clearance 4WD or Mountain Bike. 10km from 2WD road…

Dawson Falls

Noted during a tramping trip. Some small pools and canyon features. Dawson Falls should not be descended, but this stream might be best suited to a short stream walk on a very hot day rather than a dedicated canyoning trip. However, it does suggest that it is worth doing more exploring on Taranaki for canyons. Just…

Hawk Creek

Just from the look on the Topomap. Public Access from Kokatahi River track Download research sheet Hawk Creek

Smithy Creek

Just from the look on the Topomap. One very large waterfall seen in Google Earth, location correlates to a very steep section seen on topomap. Looks open, bouldery below the major drop, can’t seen in above it. Very large catchment. Probably very committing. Public Access from highway Download research sheet Smithy Creek

Murcott Burn

Looks interesting on Topo. Good track access. On google earth, one major open fall seen at first major steep section. Looks like there is a bit of debris below the marked slip. Lower section below the forks could be interesting… Public access Download research sheet for Murcott Burn

Mt Murchison Canyon

Lots of open drops seen from highway whilst driving Access permission requried for exit path. Apparently descended in early 2019. “Mt Murchison (James Scoltock & crew) – The creek on the true right of the access road. Had been partially descended previously and then bailed. This time completed. Apparently really nice in the lower sections,…