Max drop 20m. 2h45m round trip. Public access.
Author: Dan Clearwater
Kieran Forks Flat Canyon
Wilkin Valley. 100m+ drop into a deep looking canyon. Very impressive. Download research sheet for Kieran Forks Flat Canyon
Waiteariki Falls
Tapu to Ngati Hinerangi The local iwi have informed us that Wairere Falls and Waiteariki Falls are tapu (sacred) to them, and that the waterfalls’ pools in particular are places that should not be visited. Canyoners are asked to respect the wishes of iwi and refrain from descending either of these canyons.
12 Mile Stream
Highest drop ? 30mins – 2hrs Public access, however it is guided most days in summer by Canyon Explorers. These groups are large; to avoid bottlenecks we encourage you to contact the guide company to check when they will be out of the canyon. There are lots of fixed equipment in the canyon, belonging to…
Navigator Canyon v4a2III*
Highest drop 75m (60m + 20m with double bolt anchors high on TL) Public access 7hrs Steep mountain stream, with generally low flows and a very big waterfall! A full description can be found in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook. Anchors need maintenance! As of March 2023: The big pitch was re-bolted as a 60m…
Sudden Valley / Barrier Falls
Unknown Absiel height. Potential to be quite large (50-60m or greater) Probably 5-6hrs round trip. Public access Significant volume. Download research sheet for Sudden Valley Stream
Number One Canyon v3a3IV*
Highest drop 26m Time 8hr30min Public Access Challenging navigation to a low volume canyon with a bit of everything, swims, jumps, slides, raps. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.
Woolshed Creek Canyon
As the weather forecast looked rubbish for the divide, we escaped east to Woolshed Creek for our Sunday’s canyoning. Though the sky was grey and rain showers gripped the mountains to the south, we climbed up and entered the Canyon. The water levels were alread pretty low and since I’d been before in very high…
Upper Tutaekuri Gorge v1a3II*
No rappels Public access 4-5hrs Requires Car shuttle Float/Scramble/Walk canyon, with a couple of short jumps/slides. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.
Tauherenikau Lower Gorge v1a4III*
Intermediate Tubing/Floating (no ropes) 5-7hrs round trip Public Access Hike in from Marchant Rd to Smith Creek Shelter, then down to the Bucks Rd end Assess the flows at the Tauherenikau Flow Gauge I haven’t been down it yet, so refer to a full route description in; “Tararua Adventure Guide” by Jonathon Kennett
Waiohine Middle Gorge v1a4VI**
No ropes, Difficult tubing/floating 2 (long) days or 3 (more reasonable) days round trip. Mt Holdsworth Rd end, up over Mt Holdsworth to Mid Waiohine Hut, down the gorge to Totara Flats then back to Mt Holdsworth Rd end. Assess the flows at the Waiohine Gorge flow gauge I haven’t been down it yet, so refer…
Otaki Middle Gorge v1a4VI*
No ropework, Difficult Tubing/float trip, 2 day round trip Public access Assess the flows using the Otaki river monitoring site. KiwiCanyons CanyonTopo coming soon, but in the mean time, refer to a full route description in; “Tararua Adventure Guide” by Jonathon Kennett
Hutt Lower Gorge v1a4III*
No ropes, Difficult Tubing/Float trip 4-8hrs Public access “Hutt River at Birchville” Flow Gauge readings A good level is for the ‘stage’ to be between 1000m and 1500m See the Information on http://rivers.org.nz/nz/wellington/hutt/hutt-gorge but note that the flow range here is in relation to the Te Marua gauge, which is upstream of the Birchville gauge. I…
Granity Creek v3a3III**
Highest drop 20m 7-8hrs Public Access Tricky off track walk into the head of a granite stream with some waterfalls. Then plunges into a very deep and impressive marble slot canyon for an hour or two. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook. [Update 28 March 2016: First descent by; Andy…
Mangakino Stream
A tyre tube float trip apparently Public access. Download research sheet for Mangakino Stream
MacPherson Creek
Descended a few years ago not a canyon, not worth a visit unfortunately.. The rock appears to just be too loose..
Depot Creek Falls
Possible low volume schist canyon. Photo of Lower waterfall found on a website, doesn’t look enclosed, but would be worth exploring. Download research sheet for Depot Creek Falls
Mt Rintoul Canyon
Western Mt Richmond Forest Park 3 day waterfall tramping expedition. Heard about it from a SAR report about a guy who died after he tried tramping down this stream, getting himself stuck between waterfalls… Hike in from Lees river Rd end (not shown on this map) to Hut below Mt Rintoul. One day descending multiple…
Sleeping Beauty Canyon v4a2III*
Longest drop 55m Public access 6hrs A committing descent with a series of waterfalls in relatively low volume water. Beta sheet for Sleeping Beauty Canyon
Doom Creek Trip Report
Toine, Bernat and I were joined by Bruce for todays trip, which was intended to be nice and mellow after a long day in Whiskey Falls on the first descent. Doom Creek is a fantastic little canyon, with several jumps, beautiful narrows and very simple access. After the big drops and lack of jumps in…
Upper Tutaekuri Gorge Trip Report
Brigid, Chris, Pip and Chucky had a fun day cruising through the Upper Tutaekuri Gorge. This is a non technical trip; the two small marked waterfalls are easily jumped or slid, so there’s no need for rope (except perhaps a throwbag). We encountered the stream in pretty low flows. A fair bit mor water would…
Whiskey Falls Trip Report
After walking all the way up to the top of Mt Robert and then turning back in moderate rain a few days ago, we were stoked when the weather turned good for us to have a second crack at this first descent. Toine and I were joined by Bernat, a Spanish Canyoner for the day….
Ruamahanga Lower Gorge Trip Report
Although it rained all the way from Palmy to Mt Bruce, the weather actually cooperated for a trip down the Ruamahanga Lower Gorge. I was looking forward to seeing what it had to offer, since I’d not yet done any of the ‘Classic’ Gorge trips in the Tararua’s yet. Strolling into the Tararua’s via access…
Parapara Gorge
Probable tubing/swim canyon 5 Km south of Collingwood, Golden Bay. From a Kayaking guide book, a bedrock gorge with lots of small drops and pools. Kayaking flows are 8-15 cumecs, so something around 2-3 cumecs might be sensible for a Canyoning descent. Public Access by walking the 4wd track from the end of ‘Plain Road’…
Lower Slate Gorge v1a3III*
Gorge walk/swim. More of a tough tramping trip then a real canyoning trip. 8 Km SW of Collingwood, Golden Bay. 5hrs round trip. No ropes required Download Slate River Lower Gorge information sheet.
Mathews Stream Canyon Trip Report
First Canyon for the Season! Located in the North Eastern Ruahine Range, the south branch of Mathews Stream was our objective for the day. During the steep but straightforward 2 hr access, we could see fresh snow sprinkled on the tops of trees on the ridgelines. Access was very simple, but the snow flakes bumped…
Upper Mangatepopo Stream
SH47, between National Park and Turangi, Western side of Mt Tongarirro. The land to the South East of SH47 is all Tongarirro National Park (open walking access). Observed the ‘Mangatepopo Falls’ (approx 30-40m??) and a reasonably enclosed looking stream whilst over flying the area. Suggest park one car at the SH 47 bridge, then drive…
One North Of Mary Stream Waterfall
Descended March 2014 by Alain Rohr, Holly Officer and Jethro Robinson. Steep alpine Canyon. One large Drop observed (100m), but more incised than the Mary Stream Waterfall. Access looks steep, best bet appears to be the TR. 1.5hr walk up Hopkins valley from end of 2WD access track. 4WD and MTB access to Monument Hut.
Mary Stream Waterfall
Steep alpine canyon. Hopkins Valley, about 1.5hrs walk in from the end of 2WD access. 4WD or bicycle access to Monument Hut. 4 drops observed, rather than a single 141m drop. Easy access on TL Download Research Sheet Mary Stream Waterfall
Pass Creek
Just the look on the Topo and the ease of access. Alain R says he saw something ‘interesting’ from a scenic flight over the stream.. “pass creek is done. i did it with sott,jeff and a french boy. you don’t need a rope there. it’s nice about all the different kind of rock you pass….
Sawcut Gorge v1a1II*
Easy tramping, to a short but spectacular limestone slot. DOC Website information sheet
Blue Lakes Canyon
Steep Alpine Canyon, tricky access, low flow. Download research sheet Blue Lakes Canyon
Upper Otira River
Heard accounts that DOC staff used to run a few trips through the short gorge of the Upper Otira River. Walk up the Otira Valley track for half an hour or so, the drop into the river. Probably get out by Pegleg Flat. Appears that much of the gorge can be seen from the State…
Top Wairoa Gorges
The Top Wairoa Hut sits directly between the two creeks and both gorges start just downstream of the hut. Grid references here. The gorges don’t seem to be too long and I bet they both can be done in a day. Pretty spot and a nice hut nearby could make it a nice trip. Download…
Frenchy Cascade Creek v4a2III
From Alain Rohr. Access: 1h30 to walk up on the TR (very steep at the beginning.) Drop into canyon via slippery downclimbs and gravel Descent: 3hrs Description: DC6m,DC3m,DC7m,R1:10m,R2:50m(nice),R3:12m,R4:23m. Classic section at the end. Download research sheet Frenchy Cascade Ck
Deep Creek
Public Access. Just from the look on the map and some similarity to Tiropahi canyon. Download research sheet Deep Creek, Charleston
Matata Reserve
The stream has been descended from above the bushline. Only one nice section of canyon, with a large amount of walking. Not really worth repeating. Trip report from Chuckys adventures
Ruatahuna Canyon
Waterfall tramping expedition, 3 day trip A reasonably full day accross the Umukarikari range to Bivvy at the head of the Canyon. One day to descend canyon, multiple, tall, back to back waterfalls. One day to bushbash out.. Download research sheet Ruatahuna Canyon
Okoeke Stream
One decent fall (very pretty) into a swim pool. No other falls observed Download research sheet Okoeke Stream
Thank you!
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