15m max drop (2x 30m) 3h30h total duration 1h/1h30/1h approach/descent/return Public land A short canyon with a particularly impressive pitch. Mostly low angle in a bedrock gorge with beautiful blue pools. First descent: Amy Burney, Ben Fletcher, Christian Miller, and Lulu Jordan – November 2025. Thanks to Christian for the topo and images.
Tag: Canterbury
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.
Arch-duchess canyon v4a3IV*
30m (2x40m) | 11hrs | Public Access | Lewis Pass area
A long walk in to a beautiful arch absiel.
Parsons Creek v4a2IV**
60m (3x60m) 5hrs Heli access. Mt Cook, Canterbury
Lagoon canyon v4a2IV*
Public access
Steep, low volume, alpine canyon, Gorge walk finish
Waimakariri Valley
Lagoon Saddle Canyon v4a2III*
Highest drop 47m Public access 6hrs This canyon is a rewarding day out with some great abseils in a straightforward multi-pitch canyon. The canyon anchors are bolts with a few naturally rigged. The upper canyon starts with two abseils back to back. There are plenty of escapes all the way down. The highlight is the…
Hack Canyon v4a2III*
35m | 5hrs | Public Access
Some great pitches in the flow, of a neat canyon.
Lewis Pass Area
Rawle/Raules Creek v4a2II
30m | 7hrs | Public access
More than 25 small waterfalls, in a very low flow gully
Mt Peel Area/Rangitata Valley
Long Drop Canyon v4a2II
35m | 5hrs | Public Access
Arthurs Pass
Great low-flow beginner canyon
Wardens Creek v4a2III
One large pitch at the end
Arthurs Pass, Canterbury.
Little Mt Peel Stream v3a2IV
A long walk for not much canyon, more like a ‘canyon tramping’ trip.
Little Mt Peel, Canterbury
Cave Stream v1a2I
Caving! non technical ‘underground gorge walk’
Approx 1 hr and can be done without wetsuits.
Cragieburn, Canterbury
Tim’s Stream v3a2I*
A neat little beginners trip, with limestone scenery, couple of short absiels and easy access!
Cragieburn range, Canterbury
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.
Tiny T Canyon v4a2II
47m (2×60)
3h45m
Public access
Arthurs Pass
Low flow side canyon from Temple Basin
Agility Creek v3a2III*
32m
7-8hrs
Public access
Arthurs Pass area
Steep, vertical alpine descent, well worth the walk.
Minga River v2a3III**
4m
4hrs
Public access
Arthurs Pass
Float, swim, jump and hike in a nicely slotted river gorge. Only one compulsory ‘drop’.
Bealey Chasm v2a4I*
Public access
Blue pools, slides and jumps in among big rocks in this gorge. A PFD for the swims plus a short rope to aid downclimbing.
Graham Stream v3a2III*
30m (2x35m)
7-8hr
Public access
A steep, vertical alpine descent using mostly natural anchors makes this a classic Arthur’s Pass canyon.
Pudding Hill Stream v4a4IV**
Public access
Steep alpine headwaters, bedrock main gorge, tough walk out!
10hrs round trip
Mt Hutt, Canterbury
Tri Falls Canyon v4a2III*
Highest drop 40m
5-6hrs
Public Access
Descent of a more open tributary of Woolshed Creek, with some nice raps, jumps and slides
Sylvia Falls v3a3I*
Highest drop 17m
1hr round trip
Public access
Very short, mostly horizontal gorge with a very beautiful final waterfall.
Three Fellahs Canyon v4a2III*
Highest drop 40m
Public access
6hrs
Generally open series of mid height abseils high in the canyon. Scrambly tramping in the lower section, then exit out lower Woolshed Creek.
Sharplin Falls v3a3III*
25m
3.5-4.5hrs
Public access
Interesting route finding through a boulder choked gorge. One short beautiful narrows section. The lower part of the canyon has had the boardwalk removed after being destroyed by rocks. So now after the last waterfall you head down the stream to gain the track 2 minutes before the carpark. The canyon is extended a further pitch so it has 6 pitches and is well worth the visit.
Wilberhorse Canyon v5a3IV***
Required Rope: 1x110m and another 110m of rope.
Private access, permission required (see topo)
8.5-12.5hrs
Woolshed Creek v3a3III**
15m
5hrs
Public access
A relatively benign sustained aquatic slot with a few nice short rappels and a couple of fun slides and jumps.
Greyneys Creek v3a2II
20m
Public Access
3hrs
A sizeable walk, a lot of boulder bashing, and 1 waterfall. There are better alternatives in the area.
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.
Kaumira Canyon v3a3II**
20m | 3hrs |Public access
One of the classic beginner canyons of the Canterbury region. Some nice short/medium pitches, big pools and jumps.
Raven Canyon v5a2IV**
110m (3x60m)
8.5hrs
Public access
An adventure canyon; multiple rappels, handlines and downclimbs often back to back. Relatively open, steep stream.
Tui Canyon v3a2I*
17m
1-2hrs
Public access
Short and sweet, with easy access and low flow: this is probably the most descended canyon within range of Christchurch!
Andrews Stream v2a2I*
10m
20mins
Public access.
Moderate flows, short but sweet. Suitable for experienced canyoners to introduce beginners to the sport.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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…