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…
Author: Dan Clearwater
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…
Fat Controller Canyon v3a2III*
Highest drop 20m Public access 5hr30min Low volume canyon with beautiful rappels close to Wellington. This canyon flows into Wonderwall canyon and finishes with a walk down the West Akatarawa River where there are a number of jumps and swims. First descent: Fergus Bramley, Al Bramley 25/02/17 Download the topo for this canyon, which is…
Wonderwall Canyon v3a2III*
Highest drop 20m Public access 5hr30min Low to medium volume canyon with a good variety of features close to Wellington. The canyon finishes with a scramble down the West Akatarawa River. First descent: Fergus Bramley, Al Bramley, Thomas Kay 20/01/18 Download the topo for this canyon, which is included in the West Akatarawa Canyons pack.
Little Akatarawa River v3a2II*
Highest drop 20m Public access 3hrs Low volume easy access canyon close to central Wellington. Beautiful enclosed sections and fun small jumps. First descent by Fergus Bramley 7 Nov 17. Download the topos for this plus the other West Akatarawa Canyons
Donald Stream
One waterfall only, lots of stream walking. not worth the effort! 3hrs access, private land. First explored by James Abbott, Nola Collie and Grant Prattley, December 2018
North Falls Canyon v5a2IV**
Highest drop 80m Public access 6hrs A great vertical, reasonably low flow canyon. The three impressive 80m waterfalls are clearly visible from the road. The canyon is well worth the drive to get there. Download the North Falls Topo First descent: Pete Choate, Oscar Hadley, Stuart De Haas, Lee Den Haan, Richard Bramley 30/11/2017
Pegleg Creek v4a3III*
Highest drop 47m Public access 8.5hrs Pegleg Creek is a big day in a semi-remote alpine canyon. It is mostly bolted but be prepared with natural anchor rigging materials. The upper canyon starts with open waterfalls with easy escapes before giving way more to enclosed steep walls. On the way down the valley there are…
Jumping is a team activity
I reckon jumping is probably one of the top causes of injury when canyoning. Which is a bummer, because jumps are probably my favorite activity in a canyon. I heard of a recent minor incident on a canyon jump, and it jogged my memory to a few other near misses. I thought it’d be worth…
Ryde Falls v3a2II**
Highest drop is 25m Public access 4hrs Less than an hour’s walk in and out on an easy track. It is an ideal spot to practice multi-pitch canyoning before venturing into longer canyons. A 4-pitch canyon with 5 tiers. It is a super fun trip if you like sliding and jumping. Climb back up the…
Little Deep Creek v4a2II
Public access 4hrs A few pitches to 40m or so, with a few wee slides and contrived jumps.. Not very continuous, lots of boulder scrambling. Not really worth repeating. You can take a look at the original topo notes for Little Deep Creek if you’re keen.
White Creek v4a2II*
Highest drop 50m Public access 4hrs Nice easy half-day canyon trip. Fairly open, granite waterfalls. Low volume, so not many pools. Highlights are a nice 50m waterfall and a jump into the Buller river to finish! First descent: Benoit Gourgues, Richard Bramley, 11 Jun 17. Thanks to Richard for the CanyonTopo Download the White Creek CanyonTopo
Lennox Creek v5a5IV***
90m | 1-2 days including approach | Rees Valley, Aspiring National Park
St Ronans Well v2a3I*
Highest drop 7m Private land, permission required 1hr30 A very short canyoning trip. It’s very enclosed and scenic, which makes it worthwhile. Medium volume, with short rappels and downclimbs. Easily repeatable in a day. Download the St Ronans Topo
Slippery Nipple Canyon v3a2III*
Highest drop 30m Public access 7hrs Steep low volume stream suitable for intermediate canyoners. Lots of rappels, some picturesque. Download the Slippery Nipple Topo
Heart Throb Canyon v4a4IV*
35m | 6hrs | public access
Peak Creek’s little brother, challenging but not as full on as its sibling.
Clearwater Stream v3a2III*
Highest drop 30m Public Access 5-6 hrs Clearwater Stream is a steep and continuous canyon with many quality rappels up to 30m. Full escape from the canyon would be difficult as the canyon walls are steep and exposed. Download the Clearwater Stream Topo
Chandler Stream (upper) v3a3III*
Highest drop 20m Public Access 4 hrs The upper section of Chandler Stream is of lesser quality than the lower section (see separate topo), but there are still some very nice rappels and enclosed sections that make it a worthwhile addition. Download the Chandler Stream Upper Topo
Chandler Stream (Lower) v3a3II**
Highest drop 16m Public Access 3 hrs Probably the best bang for your buck trip in the region. The lower section of Chandler Stream is quite short but of high quality: continuous, beautiful and enclosed. Reminiscent of Haast Past canyons. Download the Chandler Stream Lower Topo
Upper Robinson Creek v3a2IV*
Highest drop 25m Public access 7-8hrs An adventure into the headwaters of the classic Robinson Creek Canyon. 7-8hrs is through to the start of the classic lower section; Robinson Creek v4a3II*** Download the descent notes and draft topo by Annette Philips for Upper Robinson Creek
Takahe Stream v5a3IV**
Highest drop 61m (2x50m ropes, hanging re-belays) Private access up the Wilberforce valley. Notes on access in the canyon topo. 5-8hrshrs Some big pitches, with hanging re-belays in a beautiful greywacke canyon. All parties visiting this canyon should bring a drill, bolts and the knowledge to upgrade the anchors present. Log any maintenance as a trip…
Hut Stream v5a3IV**
Highest drop 88m (Multipitch waterfall with 2x60m ropes) Private access, notes on permission in the topo All parties visiting this canyon should bring a drill, bolts and the knowledge to upgrade the anchors present. Log any maintenance as a trip report so we can bring this great canyon up to the best possible anchor standards 🙂…
Ellis Creek v4a3II*
Highest drop 40m Public access 3 hrs A short little canyon with a nice slide and a couple of beautiful big waterfalls. Makes for a nice half day trip. Download the Ellis Creek Topo
Hope River v4a2III*
Highest drop 32m Public access 3-4hrs A great beginners/intermediate trip with easy access and reasonably short time in the canyon. Low flow, predominantly vertical in nature. Download the Hope River Topo
Peak Creek v6a4IV**
50m (2x60m) | 8-10hrs | Public access
Test piece of the top of the south
What to expect after a major storm event…
Even after a normal storm, its possible for canyons to change, but after a major storm event, the first groups through a canyon need to be prepared for significant changes. Its up to you to make sure you’ve got sufficient experience, skill and equipment to deal with those changes and to let the community know…
What anchor gear do you take through a ‘sport’ canyon?
Problem solving to get yourself down a drop where there are no existing anchors is one of the great challenges of canyoning, but there’s also something pleasant about a descent where all you need to do is rig the anchors rather than find them and build them yourself. Although many of NZ’s canyons are not…
Thoughts on a rescue knife for Canyoning
So for the first time in 12 years of Canyoning, I had to use my rescue knife for real. It was when I was guiding in reasonably high flows. The feature is a slippery slidey downclimb at low flow, but at high flow we use a rope to slow people down if (when) they get hit…
Blue River South Branch
1 great waterfall into the Blue river, but not really a canyon,
Makarora, Otago
Backstair Creek v3a3III*
Highest drop 28m Public access Tricky access to a moderate flow, v-shaped canyon with sustained waterfalls. Average to Poor quality rock (schist) and a few big (dangerous) logjams. Download first descent notes Backstair Creek canyon topo feb2016 – By Richard Bramley
One South of Bob Creek
Explored by Toine Houtenbos and Richard Bramely on a scouting trip to the Thomas Valley. Lots of boulders, no bedrock. Not worth the visit.
Bedford Stream v5a5VI***
Expedition sized canyon in the Dart Valley, Aspiring National Park
Camp Stream v3a2II*
Highest drop 30m Public access 7-10hrs Waterfall tramping through spectacular cliffs, with great views to the east. Download reasearch sheet for Camp Creek, Kauaeranga Valley
Upper Peak Canyon
Research information published by Benjamin Buchy..
Tech Quiz: What’s wrong with this anchor?
Taken from a post on the KiwiCanyons.org Facebook Page Thanks for lots of good discussion points! Whilst many of the very fine observations such as torquing of the eye bolt, slightly short tails, orientation of the sling towards the pitch are valid, the main thing I wanted…
Navy Creek v3a1III*
Highest drop 22m Public access 11 Pitches down a low flow stream Some brief info on Facebook