Robinson Creek v4a3II***

Highest drop 25m

2.5-3hrs

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.

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

Guidebook update:

29 Mar 2017

Work has begun on upgrading the highway bridge over Robinson creek.  There are likely to be construction vehicles working in/around the “Carpark” area. Make sure you park well clear of any potential operations, even considering parking at a different location.

Also, the earthworks will make the water reference picture irrelevant, with changes to the stream bed and bridge structure. Take care evaluating the water levels for yourself!

05 Nov 2017

The logjam at R8 has been demolished by a rockfall. The rockfall appears to be more stable than the previous logjam.The anchors are still in place, and able to be reached if needed.

The new rockfall can be down-climbed, however there are some quite scary ‘holes’ between boulders where you would not want to slip.  Take extra care when traversing this rockfall.

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8 Trip reports Log your trip

  1. Will Talbot says:

    Great canyon, all anchors, jumps etc were good

    • Date - 15/1/23
    • Water level - lower than normal
    • Anchor conditions - All in good condition
    • Group size - 2
    • Time: approach/descent/return (eg: 1hr/4hrs/3mins) - 15 mins/2 hours 15 mins - 2 and a half hours all up
  2. Patrick says:

    Nothing new to report. All good to go.

    • Date - 10-12-22
    • Water level - lower than normal
    • Anchor conditions - All in good condition
    • Group size - 2
    • Time: approach/descent/return (eg: 1hr/4hrs/3mins) - 2 hrs
  3. Eugene Yeo says:

    All anchors are good to go, though some mailons are a tad rusty. R2 pool was clear to jump.

    Busy day for Robinson – didn’t bump into other parties inside the canyon, but there was a car parked there before us, and another party peered down at us from the rim at the cavern pitch.

    • Date: 6/02/2021
    • Water level: lower than normal
    • Anchor conditions: All in good condition
    • Group size: 4
  4. Daniel Clearwater says:

    15/4/16 Pretty cold in there, water perhaps medium to high-ish. All anchors in good condition. A few of the log jams have shifted a little bit. Take extra care!!

    • Gus Schiavon says:

      Descended on 28-Jan 2014; all anchors in place, pools clear for jumps, medium water level.

      • jen powell says:

        Short and sweet. Descended 4-Feb 2014. Well bolted. Didymo free.

          1. Chucky says:

            Glad to hear about your descent. Robinson was definitely infected with Didymo in 2012, so even though it may not be obvious, please ensure that you treat it as infected and check, clean, dry… (like i’m sure that you do for all canyoning trips in NZ ;0)

          2. admin says:

            Descended 11 Jan 2012, with Pip Furness and Toine Houtenbos.

            Very low water conditions. Bolts in good shape, but replaced some sling and a maillon.

            Several log jams have been washed away, and others re-formed. Of note, just after the cavern, are two very unstable log jams. Treat these with the utmost suspicion, approaching one at a time over the false floor 5m above the canyon!!

            Chucky

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