Highest drop 40m 3-6hrs dependant on route. Public access A couple of beautiful and very easy to access waterfalls. Suitable for experienced absiellers who want to try a little canyoning. Thanks to Shannan Fraser A full description can be found in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.
Belmont Trig Stream
Perhaps suitable as a introductory ‘waterfall tramping trip’ A couple of marked falls in a very small stream. Public access, perhaps a little gorse/scrub to negotiate… Download research sheet for Belmont Trig Stream
Mangarua Stream
Report by Rowan Peck Mangarua Stream, 6th April 2013. Starts from the Waitawheta Tramway track at an obvious bridge, 5.8km or about 1.5 hrs walk from the Franklin Road end. To access from the top, head south from Daly’s Clearing Hut keeping the ridge (off track). Start point 37 30 7.13 / 175 42 56.14, Explored up…
Waitawheta Gorge
Public Access, Waitawheta Gorge, Kaimai Ranges. Volcanic rock, looks like a promising swim/jump/float trip. Track access. Download research sheet for Waitawheta Gorge
Phillips Stream v3a2IV*
Highest drop 25m 10hrs Public Access Information courtesy of Hayden Richards: More of a rough off track walk than a true canyoning trip, Phillips stream requires a lot of access for not much canyoning. However, it would be worthwhile for trampers seeking a canyon without too much technical challenge or commitment. Download CanyonTopo for Phillips…
Shift Creek v4a3IV***
!!! WARNING !!!! !!! WARNING !!!! !!! WARNING !!!! In Nov 2017, the 2m wide slot (R15 & R16) was completely blocked by a log jam, caused by a huge slip. However, it has been slowly clearing out over time. As of Jan…
Canoe Creek, v3a2II (0 stars)
First Descent, Toine Houtenbos and Rikki Brown, 4 May 2014. Access: Lake Head track, East of Lake Rotoiti, about 2hrs to bottom of canyon, (4.5km) Possibility of Water Taxi drop off. “Access is pretty rough. About 1.5hrs [from the lake], three wasp stings and a sketchy traverse later, we ended up in the upper reaches…
Barefoot Burn v4a2III*
Highest drop 45m Public access 8hrs Medium flow canyon with beautiful steep, clean abseils. Steep sidewalls in most places. This canyon is fully featured in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook, available for purchase on this site. Guidebook updates: The Canyon has been partially bolted since the publication of the book. Download the latest Barefoot Burn CanyonTopo
Lower Canyon Creek
Despite looking very impressive from the valley floor, there doesnt appear to be anything of interest. I’ve walked up from the bottom. It’s just a gravelly stream for the first bit. We lost interest about 200m into the gorge (it was winter and we were on a MTB trip!) there’s very little overall elevation drop…
Tutumangao Stream v4a2III*
Public Access 4-5hr round trip 45m **UPDATE OCTOBER 2022*** Unfortunately there has been significant storm damage to the canyon, with lots of trees down in the stream, which makes the trip not reccomended at present. Emma Stanley Original canyon notes There are rappels in the stream almost from the summit of Mt Te Aroha, however…
Eager Beaver Canyon v4a2IV**
Max drop approx 45m 9hr Public Access Waterfall tramping trip. Low volume, several 30-45m drops. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook. Below is a video from Tony Gazley, from a Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club trip to the canyon. WTMC does a few canyoning trips in the area; get in…
Otoutahi Stream
Private land. 70m deep canyon where road crosses the streamway! Good access via road, but on private property, so permission required Download research sheet for Otoutahi Stream
Mangamawhete Stream
Public access Seen whilst rock climbing. Download research sheet for Mangamawhete Stream
Kaukore Stream
Public access near Pipiriki Mostly horizontal canyon, through mudstone (papa) Anchors could be very challenging in the weak ‘rock’ Download research sheet for Kaukore Stream
Whiskey Creek v5a2IV*
Highest drop 53m 8-9hrs Public Access Alpine canyon, with back to back drops, hanging re-belays and a huge free hanging pitch over Whiskey falls themselves. Download CanyonTopo for Whiskey Creek
Johnstone Canyon
From Jame Scholtok via KiwiCanyon Facebook page; “Today (13/12/2017) was my birthday 🙂 and last week decided it was time for Me and the boys should celebrate in style with a first ever canyon descent of Johnstone creek off Mt Richmond. We meet at my house at 6am this morning and packed the last of…
Mathews Stream first full descent
Mathews Stream v6a2V** 29 rappels to 45m. 14hrs30mins round trip. Just over year ago, Pip and I had bailed part way down the first descent of Mathews Stream in the Ruahine ranges. It was a cold day in early October, with a light dusting of snow, overcast skies. We’d done 18 rappels up to 40m…
Pukehinau Canyon v1a2I*
No Drops, swimming only 1hr Public Access Short, deep and beautiful limestone and conglomerate swim canyon. A full description can be found in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.
Waipehi Canyon v3a2VI*
Highest Drop 26m via gully or 70-100m via main canyon 21hrs round trip (Done in two long days, with an overnight at Cattle Ridge Hut) Public Access A huge first pitch that can be avoided if desired. Waterfall tramping, lots of short drops, with some nice gorge sections. Boulder scrambling adventure canyon Download CanyonTopo for Waipehi…
Paradise Creek
UPDATE: Paradise Creek was descended in March 2019. Details on the first descent will be up loaded as soon as we have them. Noted from the look on the Topo, rock type and surrounding canyons. Likely to be high volume and deep. Public Access, via high clearance 4WD or Mountain Bike. 10km from 2WD road…
Dawson Falls
Noted during a tramping trip. Some small pools and canyon features. Dawson Falls should not be descended, but this stream might be best suited to a short stream walk on a very hot day rather than a dedicated canyoning trip. However, it does suggest that it is worth doing more exploring on Taranaki for canyons. Just…
Hawk Creek
Just from the look on the Topomap. Public Access from Kokatahi River track Download research sheet Hawk Creek
Smithy Creek
Just from the look on the Topomap. One very large waterfall seen in Google Earth, location correlates to a very steep section seen on topomap. Looks open, bouldery below the major drop, can’t seen in above it. Very large catchment. Probably very committing. Public Access from highway Download research sheet Smithy Creek
Murcott Burn
Looks interesting on Topo. Good track access. On google earth, one major open fall seen at first major steep section. Looks like there is a bit of debris below the marked slip. Lower section below the forks could be interesting… Public access Download research sheet for Murcott Burn
Mt Murchison Canyon
Lots of open drops seen from highway whilst driving Access permission requried for exit path. Apparently descended in early 2019. “Mt Murchison (James Scoltock & crew) – The creek on the true right of the access road. Had been partially descended previously and then bailed. This time completed. Apparently really nice in the lower sections,…
Waikukupa Canyon
Lots of open drops seen from highway whilst driving Whole area is open access. Download research sheet for Waikukupa Canyon – Fox Glacier
1601 SE Canyon
Done previously as an Ice climbing route in winter. Sounds like its worth a descent. Steep, back to back drops with carved rock. Access permission required. Download research sheet for 1601 SE Canyon – Matukituki
Waterfall Creek
There is only 1 major waterfall (which is marked) Otherwise, it is just an open stream. Not worth the effort of accessing it! Download research sheet for Waterfall Creek – Maruia
8 Mile Creek
Has potential, when viewed from road and from look on topomap. Probably Granite, low-medium flow Public access Download research sheet for 8 Mile Creek – Buller
Crow Creek
Explored by Joe Budgen up to the 300m-400m contour, open and bouldery with no sign of bedrock or canyon features.
Mossy Creek
Descended by Jethro Robinson and Alain Rohr Jan 2014. No canyon found, just lots of downclimbing (with no need for wetsuits) Download research sheet for Mossy Creek
Kiwi Jacks Creek v3a3II**
Max drop 20m. 2h45m round trip. Public access.
Kieran Forks Flat Canyon
Wilkin Valley. 100m+ drop into a deep looking canyon. Very impressive. Download research sheet for Kieran Forks Flat Canyon
Waiteariki Falls
Tapu to Ngati Hinerangi The local iwi have informed us that Wairere Falls and Waiteariki Falls are tapu (sacred) to them, and that the waterfalls’ pools in particular are places that should not be visited. Canyoners are asked to respect the wishes of iwi and refrain from descending either of these canyons.
12 Mile Stream
Highest drop ? 30mins – 2hrs Public access, however it is guided most days in summer by Canyon Explorers. These groups are large; to avoid bottlenecks we encourage you to contact the guide company to check when they will be out of the canyon. There are lots of fixed equipment in the canyon, belonging to…
Navigator Canyon v4a2III*
Highest drop 75m (60m + 20m with double bolt anchors high on TL) Public access 7hrs Steep mountain stream, with generally low flows and a very big waterfall! A full description can be found in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook. Anchors need maintenance! As of March 2023: The big pitch was re-bolted as a 60m…
Sudden Valley / Barrier Falls
Unknown Absiel height. Potential to be quite large (50-60m or greater) Probably 5-6hrs round trip. Public access Significant volume. Download research sheet for Sudden Valley Stream
Number One Canyon v3a3IV*
Highest drop 26m Time 8hr30min Public Access Challenging navigation to a low volume canyon with a bit of everything, swims, jumps, slides, raps. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.
Woolshed Creek Canyon
As the weather forecast looked rubbish for the divide, we escaped east to Woolshed Creek for our Sunday’s canyoning. Though the sky was grey and rain showers gripped the mountains to the south, we climbed up and entered the Canyon. The water levels were alread pretty low and since I’d been before in very high…
Upper Tutaekuri Gorge v1a3II*
No rappels Public access 4-5hrs Requires Car shuttle Float/Scramble/Walk canyon, with a couple of short jumps/slides. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.