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!
Barrack Creek v5a4IV***
65m
9hr30min
Public access
Barrack Creek is a steep, aquatic and vertical alpine descent. Polished rocks, deep green pools, the back to back nature of the waterfalls, and the fantastic end series of rappels makes this a classic three-star canyon. Make sure you have suitable experience and a strong team.
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.
Bealey’s Black Canyon v4a2III
35m
Public access
5hrs
Bealey River is a steep alpine descent. Its scenic approach has great views of the peaks and valleys of Arthur’s Pass.Anchors are mostly bolted. The rock is fractured and loose in parts as the area is subject to multiple large avalanches in winter off the side of Mt Rolleston. Leave any descent to later in the season to let the avalanche debris melt.
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!
Thar Creek
First descent in March 2019. Toine Houtenbos, Alain Rohr, Kaden Anderson, Pete Choate
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…
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.