No rappels: float trip
1.5hrs
Public access
Medium Volume float trip with lots of jumping opportunities, usually combined with Doom Creek.
Author: Dan Clearwater
Evans Creek v3a3V*
30m
10-11hrs
Public access
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
Very high volume Slot Canyon, with an 80m entrance drop into a cauldron, with spray so feirce you might consider wearing goggles. Also a “black hole” (torches not needed) about halfway through.
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.
Waikoko Canyon v3a3I*
10m
2hrs
Public access
Short canyon section with some nice narrows and one good drop. Otherwise a pleasant stream walk.
Big Wainihinhi via Wainotinoti v4a4IV***
75m
8-10hrs
Public access
his trip has it all. A staunch multi-sport approach. Back-to-back high waterfalls in Wainotinoti. And finally, the jewel in the crown – jumps and whitewater problem solving in the slotted Big Wainihinihi.
Richardson Stream v3a2IV*
15m
Public access
9hrs
A long adventure to a stream with some canyon features which are small and well-spaced. Probably more of a half star canyon, maybe worth doing if you’ve done everything else in the area and you’re after a long-off track waterfall tramp.
Yards Gully v4a2IV**
Private land: permission required.
No further info available, other than it was surprisingly good, with some narrow steep and deep sections.
Gordon’s Knob
Placeholder post
Little Jordan Stream
Waterfall tramping, appears to be a few drops and a short gorge, but quite a way from the road. Download the research info sheet Little Jordan Stream
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Awapoto Stream
Waiting for more information!
Waterfall Creek
The canyon was called Waterfall Creek, and terminated directly opposite Maruia hot springs. This was the appeal of the canyon, because if it was a good one you could do a winter mission and then jump into the hot pools at the end! Anyway, it was a three hour slog up the true left side…
The Lion King v4a3IV*
Highest drop 40m Public access 6.5-8.5hrs A classic case of a great wee canyon with a sub-optimal walk in. An all round adventure that begins with a river crossing then a boulder hop/bash, followed by dense young Beech saplings. Man, I’m really selling it! The canyon is open for the majority of it’s length and…
Kaiate Falls Canyon v4a3I*
Highest drop 16m (2x20m ropes) Public access 1-2hrs This is a short sharp canyon that would be great on a hot summers day as there are some deep pools. The area could get quite busy in summer due to the scenic nature of the falls and the adjacent walking tracks so discretion is advised. It…
Tunakohoia Canyon v4a2II**
32m Public access 6.5hrs Tunakohoia is a little gem of a canyon nestled in the hills behind Te Aroha Township. Generally low flow, this is an ideal winter trip as you are not required to spend long periods in the water. The canyon is a lot of fun after some rain when the flow increases…
Friction Factory Canyon v4a2III*
Highest drop 43m Public access 5hr30min Low volume canyon with beautiful and large rappels close to Wellington. As with others in the valley this canyon finishes with a walk down the West Akatarawa River where there are a number of jumps and swims. Due to its low volume this canyon is best done early in…