Category: 1 Star Canyons

Waikoko Canyon v3a3I*

10m
2hrs
Public access

Short canyon section with some nice narrows and one good drop. Otherwise a pleasant stream walk.

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.

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…

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

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…

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…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Navy Creek v3a1III*

Highest drop 22m Public access 11 Pitches down a low flow stream Some brief info on Facebook

Hodgekinson Creek v3a2II

Highest drop 15-35m depending on which tree anchor you access. Rappels are mostly just required to descend boulders that are not safe to down climb, so the number of rappels and their length depends on your down-climbing ability. Don’t set yourself short on rope!! 4-7hrs round trip, depending on access (4WD or MTB) and downclimbing…

Monkey Puzzle Gorge v2a4III*

There is more information on this canyon available, but I’ve not had time to process it. This page is a ‘place holder’ designed to indicate the canyon has been descended. More info will be posted once I get round to it! Happy Canyoning! Chucky

Dasler Canyon v4a2II*

Sealey Tarns Canyon v4a1II*

Bridal Veil Creek v4a2II*

The upper canyon was descended in March 2019 by Jonathan Carr et Al. Photos and comments on Facebook; The lower canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.

Atuatumoe via .626 v4a1III*

50m
4hrs
Public access

Very low flow stream, 3 pitches to 50m, natural anchors.

Waikato Falls Gorge v3a4I*

A full description of this canyon can be found in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.

Stonewall Canyon v4a3II*

23m max drop (1x50m minimum) 5hrs return ( 2.5-3hrs / 1hr / 1hr approach/descent/return) Mix of private and public land access First descent unknown: Dan Clearwater et al explored the canyon in 2013, finding some ancient ring bolts in the canyon. Topo by Dan Clearwater. Photos by Chris Tuffley and Dan Clearwater Guidbook updates The…

Pea Soup Creek v1a3I*

Jackson’s Canyon v4a3III*

Not Stoney Canyon v4a2III*

Curtis Creek v4a3III*

This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook. This canyon is now almost fully bolted. You can download an updated Topo for Curtis Creek.

Blue River v4a5III*

Gangers Creek v3a2II*

Max pitch 27m (2x30m ropes) 1h30/3h30/30min (approach/descent/return) Public access Nicely sculpted shallow canyon, with low water volume and lots of short to medium rappels. First descent: Dave Vass, Alain Rohr, James Speirs 2008. The first descent party were attempting to do the 2nd descent of Cross Creek, but got a little lost and ended up…

Lower Burke River v1a4II*

This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.

Civil Creek v3a3II*

20m | 4hrs | Public access
Small canyon with some nice waterfalls and sections of enclosed walls
Landsborough Valley, Westland

Clapcott Creek v3a2III*

20m | 5hrs | Public
Landsborough Valley, Westland

Pyke Creek v3a4III*

This is the Pyke Creek located in the upper Haast Valley, draining the Brewster Glacier, by the popular Brewster Hut track. Upper Pyke Creek There is a serious (and undescended) alpine canyon just below the glacier lakes: The water pours down glacially polished bedrock, through numerous drops, with hanging potholes. A quick look at google…