25m (2x30m)
2.5-3 hrs
Public access
A relatively short canyon, with a more open upper section with pools, jumps and swims. Then the canyon closes in for several drops, including a very impressive pitch into a giant cavern.
Category: 3 Star Canyons
Dragon’s Den v5a4IV***
3-star, high flow canyon with 10 abseils up to 80 meters height. Dragon’s Den follows a medium to high volume stream through two technical crux sections which give the canyon it’s grade. The highlight is the spectacular 80m waterfall with a grand view across the Pyke river valley. First descent: Dutch Canyoning Expedition 08 &…
Eagles Nest – alternative start v4a3V***
The character is the same as the classic Eagles Nest. No added difficulties are encountered in this alternative entrance route. Anchors: 10mm ss wedge bolts and hangers and 5 mm dyneema with Tebylon half ring Longest abseil in this bit 35 m, but eagle’s nest is advised to take 2*60m rope First descent: Dutch Canyoning…
Tatare Stream v6a6V***
A fairly short but very techincal section of canyoning near Franz Joseph Glacier.. “Maybe the ideal warmup for Whirling Water?” said some of the first descent team… First canyoning descent, 21 February 2025. Edgar Fella, Henry Rotherham, Taylor Haisell, Jeroen Verhees, WIlliam Henry Norton, Louis Rgissart See the facebook post below for videos, until we…
Mather Creek v4a4III***
27m
6-7hrs
Public access
Plenty of variety: high jumps, low technical jumps, perfect slides, back to back absiels and beautiful narrows.
Kakapo Canyon v5a3IV***
2x60m | 9-10hrs return | Public access
Tutoko Valley, Fiordland
Bartrum Creek v4a4IV***
The little brother of Whirling Water
Canyon Creek v5a5V***
2x50m + 1x30m
2-3 days
Public access
A committing alpine slot canyon, with continous high flow features.
Swamp Creek v5a5VI***
Partially explored high volume serpentine canyon in the Hollford Valley
Chasm Creek v6a5VII***
80m max drop 4-6 days round trip, including an 8 pitch climbing approach and a bivvy in the canyon More images and info to come…. Chasm creek in Fiordland first descent a gorgeous deep gorge section and some beautiful open waterfalls after the gorge section as well! . The approach for this canyon went by…
Margaret Burn v5a5III***
High volume, glacier fed and mostly underground… Dart Valley, Aspiring National Park.
Harwood’s Hole v5a2IV***
A cave on a canyoning site?? Arguably the best caving day trip in all of New Zealand. Perhaps one of the best in the world!? The 200m hole gets all the attention, but the cave itself is very beautiful and lots of fun. Because the cave can be done as a pull-through trip in a…
Impassable Gorge v3aVI***
20m (40&10m ropes) | 2-3 days | Public access
A huge weekend adventure canyon, one of the test pieces of the Tararua’s
Whio Creek Canyon v4a4III***
20m (2×30) | 7h15m | Public access
Jumps and slides through enchained granite potholes, not far from Milford Sound
The Slide Hustle v1a3II***
No mandatory absiels – a slide-fest! 6hrs round trip (2hr/2.5hr/1.5hr) Public land This canyon is all about the slides. FOURTEEN of them in total, up to 16m long, plus the option to climb back up and lap a sweet section of five slides. Three start sliding bliss on Mt Ruapehu. First descent, James Judd, Sacha…
Powder Flask Canyon v5a3IV***
45m | 6.5-10.5hrs | Public access
Makarora Valley, Aspiring
Low water, beautiful rock & pools with lots of jumps. Exit via high flow Fish River.
Dickson River v3a4IV***
1x60m rope | 11hrs | Public access
Mikonui Valley, West Coast
One of the top canyons on the coast.
Fish River v4a5IV***
15m | 4.5-6hrs| Public access
Makarora Valley, Aspiring
“Wilson Creek on Steroids” Narrow, high flow, deep, committing, dangerous and beautiful.
Eagle’s Nest v4a3V***
35m (2x60m) | 14hrs | Public
Over 40 raps, continuous canyon, huge day!
Dart Valley, Otago
Big 60 Canyon v5a4III***
55m | 7hrs | Helicopter to Forbes Hut
Another 3 start gem in the Hunter Valley, Otago
East Sabine Awe-Chasm v4a5IV***
15m | 12hrs (3hrs in canyon)
Public access
Nelson Lakes
Diedrichs Creek v4a4IV***
15m (1x60m) | 9hrs | Public Access
Hokitika Valley, West Coast.
High flow jump, swim and scrambling canyon with 5 absiels
Imp Grotto v4a3II***
40m (2x45m)
2.5 hrs
Public access
Imp Grotto is a very short, but spectacular canyon, with a little bit of everything. The access is quick and easy, providing excellent rewards for minimal effort.
Wilson Creek v4a5IV***
17m (2x40m) | 4-8 hrs | Public access
Haast Pass, Aspiring NP
Very deep schist slot canyon with many beautiful turquoise pools and significant flow. A serious undertaking in anything but very low water conditions.
Cross Creek v3a2II***
22m (2x25m) | 1-4 hrs | Public Access.
One of the most fun canyons in NZ. Beautiful slides, jumps and rappels in very cold water.
Isabelle Creek Canyon v4a4VI***
70m | 24hrs (2+days) | Public access
Tararua Ranges, Lower North Island
Chamberlain Creeks big sister! Multi-day adventure canyoning with big pitches, great views and jumps
Cupola Creek v4a5IV***
15m (2×20 & throwbag)
12.5hrs
Public access
Travers Valley, Nelson Lakes NP
Magnificent slot canyon with bullet hard rock.
Ore Stream v4a5IV***
31m (2x60m)
5-6hr
Public access
One of the highest flow canyons in the Haast pass area. Steep, rough, technical, dangerous and beautiful.
Wilberhorse Canyon v5a3IV***
Required Rope: 1x110m and another 110m of rope.
Private access, permission required (see topo)
8.5-12.5hrs
Tawhiuau v4a2IV**
80m
10-12hrs
Public access
700m of descent makes this one of the biggest trips in the North Island. A solid 3hr approach up a steep but well marked track and a “mini canyon ” (2 pitches) entry to the main river. Big waterfalls, Hanging re belays and wide expansive views.
Edwards River v3a4IV***
42m (rebelay allows 30m pitch)
Public access
8hr30min
6 pitches down a main river gorge with high flows, big jumps and challenging swims.
Wesley Creek v5a3IV***
124 m (2 x 70 m ropes)
10 hours (5 hours up 5 hours down)
Public Access
Steep alpine canyon, with large multip-pitch rappels.
Absiel Canyon v4a3IV***
30m
Heli access to Forbes Hut
Public land
Red Granite Creek v4a4III***
40m
7hrs
Public access.
A fantastic, open granite canyon with big waterfalls and big pools. Jumps galore into west coast coca-cola coloured pools.
Allez Canyon v4a2IV***
52m
Private land: Permission required.
Heli-access to a very steep and committing canyon, with about 16 pitches.
Vass-oconstrictor v5a3IV***
155m (75m max pitch)
5-6hrs
Private land: permission required
Heli-access to a very steep canyon, with about 20 pitches. Multipitch descent of the main drop with the longest pitch about 75m.
Major Mayhem Canyon v5a3IV***
95m (60+35 pitches)
5-14hrs
Public access
Big, exposed waterfalls in the upper section, with a relentless narrow slot canyon below. Lots of delicate logjams!
Twin Creek v5a2III***
35m/40m/70m (2x60m)
3-6hrs
Public access
A long alpine canyon (3 sections), with good access and great views accross 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.