20m max pitch (at least 1x60m recommended for ease of retrieval) 3hrs round trip with two helicopter rides, or 11.5hrs…. Public access. Solitude Creek is a fun canyon with Haast Pass vibes. It has 8 straightforward rappels ending in big deep pools – many of which can be jumped. A unique feature is The Lonely…
Category: 2 Star Canyons
Big Hopwood Burn v2a7IV**
Swim, jump at super low flows, or Kayak if you’re trying to get sponsored by Redbull
Mackay Creek v4a2III**
12m max drop (1x40m) | 4hrs return | public access. Scenic deep slot with 10 pitches, in low flows.
Klondyke Canyon v3a3II**
15m (1x40m rope) 2h20m public access.
A playful canyon in a shallow mossy gorge, with a couple of fun abseils and lots of small jumps into big pools.
Dorothy Falls v4a3II**
50m | 4-5hrs | Public access
Lake Kaniere, West Coast
Ford Creek v2a2I**
No Rappels,
Public access
1-2hrs
Short, horizontal sandstone canyon
Tiropahi Canyon v4a6III**
27m | 4-5hrs | public access. Charleston area.
High volume gorge with one compulsory rappel. Challenging return route.
Fawn Falls v4a3II**
25m max drop (1x60m rope) 3h15m total (1h/1h30/45m approach/descent/return) Public access A short and fun canyon with some good pitches and jumps. A good adventure, particularly given the reasonably fast approach. First descent Christian Miller, Amy Burney, Conor Handley, Ben Fletcher May 2025. Images courtesy Christian Miller. Topo by Amy, Ben, Conor, and Christian.
Pīwakawaka falls canyon v3a2II**
A steep, sustained series of absiels with beautiful pools and generally lower flows. | Tutoko valley
Crane Creek v4a4IV**
A long, reasonably high flow trip with some impressive features. Couple of bigger drops with lots of messier features in between.
Waterfall Creek v5a3III**
Vertical canyons with beautiful drops. Eglinton Valley
Low Creek v5a4III**
A relatively open descent alternated with two distinctive enclosed sections which require some technical and aquatic rigging.
Alabaster Creek v4a4II**
Alabaster Canyon is a beautiful, cosy canyon. With just 220 meters altitude difference and a 1-hour hike in from the camp spot it’s a beautiful canyon in Fiordland, the combination of enclosed waterfalls with green covered moss. The first 120 meters of altitude hides about 13 beautiful smaller abseils that are technical and playful. The…
Chair Creek v4a4IV**
Chair Creek generally has an open character with a short enclosed section. The crux passage with the big waterfall is a nice testing ground for your abseiling skills in fast flowing water. Anchors: Single and double 10mm ss wedge bolts and hangers and 5 mm dyneema with Tebylon half ring Longest abseil is 60 meters…
Scamper Torrent v4a3III**
40m (2x60m minimum) 5.5 to 7hr round trip from Kiwi Flat Hut Scamper Torrent is a great introduction to canyoning in the Waitaha Valley, with three distinct sections of canyon providing unique challenges. First descent: Feb 2023: Leo Tregret, Sid Tinney, Charlotte Mason, Jason Bilsborow. Thanks to Richard Bramley, Leo Tregret, and Sid Tinney for…
Victory Canyon v3a3II**
30m (2x 30m ropes) 1h/1.5h/30min approach/descent/return Public land Short but high quality. Four slotted drops in quick succession. Easy access makesit a worthwhile stop on the way to your next canyoning destination. There’s a strongsmell of sulphur at the put in, so there must be a hot spring nearby! Currently sparsely single-bolted with 8mm galv…
Keyhole Canyon v4a3IV**
Max drop 65m (2x70m ropes) Public Access 4hr / 7.5hr / 30min (approach / descent /return ) = Total of 12hrs Keyhole canyon an unnamed tributary of Barrack Creek V5a4IV Keyhole is a steep and aquatic alpine descent. Polished rocks, blue pools and the back-to-back nature of the waterfalls make this a rewarding canyon. There…
Humboldt Creek v5a5IV**
Aquatic canyoning then big wall exit over the 4 leaps of Humboldt Falls (275m)
Doughboy Creek v5a4IV**
Long, high flow canyon with open and enclosed sections.
Secret Falls Canyon v4a2II**
55m | 4.5hrs | Public access
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park
Little Humboldt Creek v5a3III**
3x60m | 8hrs | Public access.
Nice short canyon then a 265m bigwall finish.
Parsons Creek v4a2IV**
60m (3x60m) 5hrs Heli access. Mt Cook, Canterbury
Flop n Drop (upper) v3a3II**
15m max drop (1x40m rope recommended) 2hrs/2 + 2hr/1hr (Approach /upper + lower section / return) Public access An ideal beginner canyon to have fun down and learn ropework. None of the drops are too committing, you can scout everything on the way up and there are a ton of slides! Those heading to the…
Canyon Creek v5a3IV**
2x80m | Full day | Public Access
A high-quality remote canyon accessed by boat accross Lake Te Anau
Son of Gloomy
Descended by the French Aotearoa Exped in 2017, whilst scouting the Gloomy Gorge area. Second descent in Feb 2024 by Andrew Humphreys, Charlotte Workman et al. First descent French Aotearoa Expedition 2016/17, whilst in preparations to descent Gloomy Gorge. Second known descent, Andrew Humphreys, Dale Strang, Charlotte Workman et al March 2024. Andrew and his…
Giant Gate Falls v5a5III**
Access up the true right, to a short but spectacular canyon on the edge of the Milford Track. A large catchment, very high rainfall an extremely deep canyon make this a very very serious proposition. Giants Gate Topo – quick notes Start @ 200m contour at mouth of canyon 5m DC on TR to shallow…
Sawyer Stream v4a3II**
42m | 3hrs | Public access
Mt Cook, Canterbury
Short, steep and sustained set of waterfalls through a solid sculpted greywacke.
Melita Stream v5a4III**
Best approached by kayak across Lake Gunn, walking around is not recommended due to thick forest and swampy ground. Access on the TR. Lots of absiels in powerful flows. Extremely hard rock: serpentine and diorite, so if you’re taking a drill, (which you should) take plenty of spare drill bits and extra batteries!!! First descent…
Red Hut Canyon v4a2III**
40m | 8hrs | Public access
Sustained waterfalls in with long enclosed sections
Hopkins Valley, Canterbury
Pegasus Canyon v4a3III**
40m | 6hrs | Public access
Hunter Valley, Otago
Lower Tree Trunk Gorge v4a3II**
1x 40m rope | 35mins | Public access
Tongarirro River, Kaimanawa Range
Rap in to explore the end of this infamous kayaking gorge.
Table Creek v4a3VI**
75m | 12hrs+ | Public
Abel Tasman National Park
A canyoning marathon through the center of the Natioanl
Rough Creek v5a2IV**
65m (2x70m)
7hrs45min
Public access
Rough Creek is a steep, vertical alpine descent. Its quick access off the avalanche peak track makes this a classic Arthur’s Pass canyon. The canyon features a series of committing and long near back to back pitches with around 350m of descent in half a kilometre.
Rangihau Gorge, via Moss Creek Campsite v4a4IV**
2x60m ropes/7-13hrs/Public Access
Coromandel Peninsula
The Full Rangihau Gorge, from source to road end. A really long day, but very well worth it.
Muriel Creek v4a4IV**
20m (1x60m + throwbag)
10hr
Public access
Hokitika gorge
Long and physical. A big approach followed by an adventurous canyon with a mix of down climbing, abseils, and jumps.
Rangihau Lower Gorge v3a3II**, via Bulls Run Canyon v3a2II*
33m/6hrs/Public access
Coromandel Peninsula
Classic of the area; steep to start, then watery to finish.
Wakefield Canyon v4a2IV**
80m (3x80m)
7hrs
Public access
Mt Cook
Minga River v2a3III**
4m
4hrs
Public access
Arthurs Pass
Float, swim, jump and hike in a nicely slotted river gorge. Only one compulsory ‘drop’.
Pudding Hill Stream v4a4IV**
Public access
Steep alpine headwaters, bedrock main gorge, tough walk out!
10hrs round trip
Mt Hutt, Canterbury
Hester Pinney Waterfall v3a4IV**
26m
8-10h
Public access
Highlights are the enchained potholes with technical jumping. A slightly longer approach to a long, varied and low-flow canyon with scenic views towards Mt Aspiring.