Author: Dan Clearwater

Foster Creek v2a3I

No absiels
Public access.

A short side trip from Doom Creek

Johnson Creek v1a3I

Stream walking, with some jump potential if you scramble up the gorge sides.

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.

Lower Wakamarina Gorge v1a4I**

No rappels: float trip
1.5hrs
Public access

Medium Volume float trip with lots of jumping opportunities, usually combined with Doom Creek.

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.

Doom Creek v2a3II**

7m
2-3hrs
Public access

Low volume horizontal slot canyon with a few down climbs and swims. Good for beginners. Lots of options in the valley for combining with other trips

Campbell Creek v1a3I**

10m (1x20m)
2.5hrs
Public access

Easy access to a mellow, but fun and very beautiful stream. Lots of medium to small jumps.

Zig Zag Creek v4a3III**

55m (2x60m)
6-8 hrs
Public Access

Steeper, more open schist canyon, with 14 drops and a few jumps.

Memorial Canyon v4a2II*

50m (2x60m)
3hrs
Private land: permission required

Multiple rappels in an open lower flow canyon. The obvious must do canyon when viewed from Memorial Hut.

Hells Gates Canyon v4a4III**

40m (3x40m)
4hrs
Private land: permission required

Spectacular in nature; many features encountered during descent are at the nominated overall grade and would be harder if the flow was even slightly higher than low summer flow.

Birdcage Canyon v4a3III**

45m (2x50m)
3hrs
Private land: Permission required

An exciting aquatic canyon in an alpine environment with the comfort of a hut and all you have driven in by 4wd at arm’s reach. Great when combined with Memorial Canyon.

Allez Canyon v4a2IV***

52m
Private land: Permission required.

Heli-access to a very steep and committing canyon, with about 16 pitches.

Vass-oconstrictor v5a3IV***

155m (75m max pitch)
5-6hrs
Private land: permission required

Heli-access to a very steep canyon, with about 20 pitches. Multipitch descent of the main drop with the longest pitch about 75m.

Major Mayhem Canyon v5a3IV***

95m (60+35 pitches)
5-14hrs
Public access

Big, exposed waterfalls in the upper section, with a relentless narrow slot canyon below. Lots of delicate logjams!

Twin Creek v5a2III***

35m/40m/70m (2x60m)
3-6hrs
Public access

A long alpine canyon (3 sections), with good access and great views accross to Mt Rolleston.

Mill Creek v4a4II**

27m
3hrs
Public access

A very high volume canyon, with huge pools, big jumps and dangerous water features.

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.

Griffin Creek v4a5IV***

29m (2x60m)
9hr30
Public access

Big, watery, beautiful, long, technical.. Jumps galore into pumping whitewater. Huge pools, powerfull waterfalls… This canyon is a pure gem in NZ!

Falls Creek v5a5IV****

80m (25+55m) | Public access | 4-6hrs
The Fiordland mega-classic – big features, big water, big smiles.

Falls River v4a5III**

22m
6hrs
Public access

Water taxi access to a moderate to high flow canyon. A short sharp vertical section followed by a more open, fun and mellow section. Lots of jumps and big pools.

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.

Disclaimer: canyons change!

Canyoning is a dangerous sport. The risks include serious injury or death. Anyone undertaking this sport does so at thier own risk and carries all the associated responsibilities. The information provided here is a record of the sport of Canyoning in NZ. The Canyon information provided may not be accurate and cannot be relied upon….

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.

Deep Creek v1a1I

No absiels
10mins
Public access

Worth a splash if you are in the area without your canyon gear!

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.

Kauaeranga Gorge v2a3III**

Highest drop 5m

Public access

6-7hrs

Interesting tramp to a spectacular gorge, with a number of classic narrow canyon sections and numerous small jumps and swims.