Author: Dan Clearwater

Hester Pinney Waterfall v3a4IV**

26m
8-10h
Public access

Highlights are the enchained potholes with technical jumping. A slightly longer approach to a long, varied and low-flow canyon with scenic views towards Mt Aspiring.

Chamberlain Creek v3a3VI**

15m max drop
2-3 days
Public access
Tararua Ranges..

The classic canyon of the Tararua Range! Awesome weekend adventure.

Boundary Creek

Some canyon features and lots of swimming. Worth more visits to figure out where the goods are.

Lake Wanaka, Aspiring

Bay Burn

Apparently its been checked out by locals, who say they found nothing of interest. No idea how high they started though. No photos available.

Estuary Burn

Apparently its been checked out by locals, who say they found nothing of interest. No idea how high they started though. No photos available.

Bells Creek

Apparently its been checked out by locals, who say they found nothing of interest. No idea how high they started though. No photos available.

Apparently this has been done a fair few times, and regarded as ‘not bad, although a bit dirty’. The canyon is on Mt Aspiring station, so permission is required for access. Plenty of other better canyons in the area; this record is mostly for historical recording purposes.

Lodge Creek

Not an official name, just close to the ‘Lodge’ on the Topo map. Apparently its been checked out by locals, and it was apparently an ok canyon, but it got hit by a slip in the 90’s which ruined it. Who knows, it might have cleared out by now… Surrounded by private farmland, see WAMS website for…

Macpherson Creek

Apparently its been checked out by locals, who say they found nothing of interest. No idea how high they started though. No photos available. Surrounded by private farmland, see WAMS website for details.

Bent Burn

Apparently its been checked out by locals, who called it ‘blocky’ (ie, lots of big blocks in the river bed, not really a canyon). No idea how high they started though. Surrounded by private farmland. Check out the WAMS website to see the public walking access options. No photos available.

Siberia Hut Canyon

Has been descended a fair few times, ends in the ‘swimming hole’ of Siberia Hut, so you can expect some observers when you arrive. No info on the canyon, but from the valley you can see a bunch of stacked waterfalls… I’d be taking a drill and at least 2x60m ropes and a staunch bushbashing…

1071 Canyon

Done in 2015 by the French “Aotearoa Expedition” Apparently it was reasonably short, but pretty good. No other info… Fixed wing access to the Airstrip and a hut nearby… who is going to check it out again and get a topo and some photos??

Tounge spur creek

Apparently its been checked out by locals, who found nothing of interest. No idea how high they started though. No photos available.

Sleeping God Canyon v4a3III**

Big pitches, some of the highest water levels in the region, big jumps, full-day out… This is one of the region’s best canyons. 5hrs 45m max pitch (3x50m ) Public access (courtesy call to CANYONZ requested before your trip 0800 422 696 ) SG has been an established canyoning route for a long time. Its…

HydroPhobia v4a2III**

26m (1x60m)
7hrs
Public Access
Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel

Steep and slotty canyon with medium length abseils

Spray Creek v5a3IV**

100m (2x70m)
8h15m
Public access

The drawcard is two 100m+ waterfall sequences in a row. It has a good amount of water and gradient, and some great waterfalls.

Mathews Stream v6a4V**

45m (2×50)
14hrs
Public Access

Very long, steep, committing mountain stream with some nice narrows. A significant undertaking.

Narrow Spur

Unsure precisely which stream, but locals have checked it out and say there’s nothign interesting. No idea how high they entered.

End Peak – East Stream

Apparently explored by locals, who reckon there were no features of interest. No idea how high they got in.

Starvation Stream access to Rangihau Gorge

Not worth the effort. Go to Bulls Run instead!

Un-named Stream access Rangihau Gorge

This stream was descended when exploring ways to access the Rangihau Gorge. It had a few bits of canyoning, but wasn’t really worth it.

Deep Creek v1a1I

0m
1hr
Public access

Short scramble and wade, worth a wee look if you are in the area with a little spare time.

Lower Fish River, v1a4I*

2m
1hr
Public access

A great scramble and swim through an impressive gorge, just below SH6.

Ore Stream v4a5IV***

31m (2x60m)
5-6hr
Public access

One of the highest flow canyons in the Haast pass area. Steep, rough, technical, dangerous and beautiful.

Tri Falls Canyon v4a2III*

Highest drop 40m
5-6hrs
Public Access

Descent of a more open tributary of Woolshed Creek, with some nice raps, jumps and slides

Sylvia Falls v3a3I*

Highest drop 17m
1hr round trip
Public access

Very short, mostly horizontal gorge with a very beautiful final waterfall.

Three Fellahs Canyon v4a2III*

Highest drop 40m
Public access
6hrs

Generally open series of mid height abseils high in the canyon. Scrambly tramping in the lower section, then exit out lower Woolshed Creek.

Sharplin Falls v3a3III*

25m
3.5-4.5hrs
Public access

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.

Wilberhorse Canyon v5a3IV***

Required Rope: 1x110m and another 110m of rope.
Private access, permission required (see topo)
8.5-12.5hrs

Woolshed Creek v3a3III**

15m
5hrs
Public access

A relatively benign sustained aquatic slot with a few nice short rappels and a couple of fun slides and jumps.

Holts Creek v4a4IV**

40m
11-12hrs

Holts Creek is a big day in a remote alpine canyon. It is bolted but come with natural anchor rigging materials. The upper canyon starts with pool drop waterfalls. The only escape is a scree mid-canyon before giving way to enclosed steep walls. On the way down make sure to look back up the canyon at the spectacular series of waterfalls.