Author: Dan Clearwater

Goat Creek v3a2IV*

26m (1x60m rope) | 5-6hrs return | public access

Adventure canyon with some good pitches near Greymouth

Kakapo Canyon v5a3IV***

2x60m | 9-10hrs return | Public access
Tutoko Valley, Fiordland

40m (2x60m minimum) 5.5 to 7hr round trip from Kiwi Flat Hut Scamper Torrent is a great introduction to canyoning in the Waitaha Valley, with three distinct sections of canyon providing unique challenges. First descent: Feb 2023: Leo Tregret, Sid Tinney, Charlotte Mason, Jason Bilsborow. Thanks to Richard Bramley, Leo Tregret, and Sid Tinney for…

Bartrum Creek v4a4IV***

The little brother of Whirling Water

Victory Canyon v3a3II**

30m (2x 30m ropes) 1h/1.5h/30min approach/descent/return Public land Short but high quality. Four slotted drops in quick succession. Easy access makesit a worthwhile stop on the way to your next canyoning destination. There’s a strongsmell of sulphur at the put in, so there must be a hot spring nearby! Currently sparsely single-bolted with 8mm galv…

Boulder dash v2a3II

Mostly downclimbing and a couple of abseils. Zero Stars.. First Decent : early 2025, Dutch Canyoning Expedition – Erik Birkhoff, Erwan Coq, Pepijn Hoeksema, Bas Hetterscheid, Britt Joosten, Bram de Vries.

Keyhole Canyon v4a3IV**

Max drop 65m (2x70m ropes) Public Access 4hr / 7.5hr / 30min (approach / descent /return ) = Total of 12hrs Keyhole canyon an unnamed tributary of Barrack Creek V5a4IV Keyhole is a steep and aquatic alpine descent. Polished rocks, blue pools and the back-to-back nature of the waterfalls make this a rewarding canyon. There…

Kapakapanui summit creek v4a1III*

50m max drop (2x50m ropes)
3.5hr/2.5hr/2hr = 8hr Public access

Dugga Dugga Canyon v4a2IV

It hosts some nice abseils and slides but not enough to make it a noteworthy canyon.

Jonno’s Canyon v3a2III

More features than maybe you’d think, but not really worth the effort to descend. First known descent in 2017, followed by a series of descents by people thinking they were the first explorer. ;0) A good reason to put up canyons even if they aren’t fantastic, so others can explore elsewhere!

Test canyon A

Tester

Humboldt Creek v5a5IV**

Aquatic canyoning then big wall exit over the 4 leaps of Humboldt Falls (275m)

Abruzzi Canyon

First descent March 2024. More info coming soon!

Not-Abruzzi 3

In March 2024, Austin Edwards ascended from Dart River to the 700m contour, with no evidence of canyon found. Perhaps there could be canyon above here, but the nearby Abruzzi had its good canyon section between 600 and 700m, so that is the most obvious rock band to be searching for the nearby drainages.

Not-Abruzzi 2 (Trident drainage)

Not-Abruzzi 1

False Pass Burn

In March 2024, Austin Edwards ascended from Dart River to 700m contour: no evidence of a canyon was found. There could be something above that elevation, but the nearby Abruzzi canyon was gorged between 600-700m.

Canyon Creek v5a5V***

2x50m + 1x30m
2-3 days
Public access

A committing alpine slot canyon, with continous high flow features.

Arch-duchess canyon v4a3IV*

30m (2x40m) | 11hrs | Public Access | Lewis Pass area

A long walk in to a beautiful arch absiel.

Swamp Creek v5a5VI***

Partially explored high volume serpentine canyon in the Hollford Valley

McBride Burn

Not really a canyon – descended by a Wanaka CanyonSAR team in February 2023 as part of a search and rescue operation for a missing hunter. Photos courtesy Patrick Timm

Chasm Creek v6a5VII***

80m max drop 4-6 days round trip, including an 8 pitch climbing approach and a bivvy in the canyon More images and info to come…. Chasm creek in Fiordland first descent a gorgeous deep gorge section and some beautiful open waterfalls after the gorge section as well! . The approach for this canyon went by…

Doughboy Creek v5a4IV**

Long, high flow canyon with open and enclosed sections.

Margaret Burn v5a5III***

High volume, glacier fed and mostly underground… Dart Valley, Aspiring National Park.

Secret Falls Canyon v4a2II**

55m | 4.5hrs | Public access
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park

Harwood’s Hole v5a2IV***

A cave on a canyoning site?? Arguably the best caving day trip in all of New Zealand. Perhaps one of the best in the world!? The 200m hole gets all the attention, but the cave itself is very beautiful and lots of fun. Because the cave can be done as a pull-through trip in a…

Impassable Gorge v3aVI***

20m (40&10m ropes) | 2-3 days | Public access

A huge weekend adventure canyon, one of the test pieces of the Tararua’s

Whio Creek Canyon v4a4III***

20m (2×30) | 7h15m | Public access

Jumps and slides through enchained granite potholes, not far from Milford Sound

Rope Creek v4a3IV*

Max drop 31m Public access 2hr approach / unknown descent time / 1.5hr return Exploration by Jeroen Verhees et al, December 2024 Upper Rope creek: Jeroen (Stretch) Verhees, Billy Norton, Henry Rotherham (fox guides) and support from the top from Jack Kyle (franz guide) Middel and lower Rope creek: Jeroen (Stretch) Verhees, Billy Norton First…