Tag: Lower North

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

Ohau Gorge (~v1a3)

Appears to be a short float trip in the Tararua’s.. Appears to be little in the way of rapids or technical sections, so probably just a3. More info on a DOC website; http://blog.doc.govt.nz/tag/ohau-gorge/

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…

Ruamahanga Lower Gorge v1a4III*

No absiels, Float trip (tyre tubes requried) 5hrs Public Access Medium volume float trip through a beautiful gorge. Download beta sheet for Lower Ruamahanga Gorge

Limestone Creek v1a1I*

Canyon Hiking. No ropes, wetsuits or specialist gear Public access 1hr Non-technical Limestone slot canyon hike. A short and beautiful introduction to canyon environments, for anyone with basic fitness and some agility. Download CanyonTopo for Limestone Creek, Ruahines

Atiwhakatu Gorge v1a3II*

No ropework Public access 2-3hrs A short, non-technical gorge trip. An excellent introduction to Gorge travel. Download Canyontopo for Atiwhakatu Gorge, Tararua FP

Belmont Trig Stream

Perhaps suitable as a introductory ‘waterfall tramping trip’ A couple of marked falls in a very small stream. Public access, perhaps a little gorse/scrub to negotiate… Download research sheet for Belmont Trig Stream

Phillips Stream v3a2IV*

Highest drop 25m 10hrs Public Access Information courtesy of Hayden Richards: More of a rough off track walk than a true canyoning trip, Phillips stream requires a lot of access for not much canyoning. However, it would be worthwhile for trampers seeking a canyon without too much technical challenge or commitment. Download CanyonTopo for Phillips…

Eager Beaver Canyon v4a2IV**

Max drop approx 45m 9hr Public Access Waterfall tramping trip. Low volume, several 30-45m drops. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook. Below is a video from Tony Gazley, from a Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club trip to the canyon. WTMC does a few canyoning trips in the area; get in…

Otoutahi Stream

Private land. 70m deep canyon where road crosses the streamway! Good access via road, but on private property, so permission required Download research sheet for Otoutahi Stream

Mangamawhete Stream

Public access Seen whilst rock climbing. Download research sheet for Mangamawhete Stream

Kaukore Stream

Public access near Pipiriki Mostly horizontal canyon, through mudstone (papa) Anchors could be very challenging in the weak ‘rock’ Download research sheet for Kaukore Stream

Waipehi Canyon v3a2VI*

Highest Drop 26m via gully or 70-100m via main canyon 21hrs round trip (Done in two long days, with an overnight at Cattle Ridge Hut) Public Access A huge first pitch that can be avoided if desired. Waterfall tramping, lots of short drops, with some nice gorge sections. Boulder scrambling adventure canyon Download CanyonTopo for Waipehi…

Dawson Falls

Noted during a tramping trip. Some small pools and canyon features. Dawson Falls should not be descended, but this stream might be best suited to a short stream walk on a very hot day rather than a dedicated canyoning trip. However, it does suggest that it is worth doing more exploring on Taranaki for canyons. Just…

Number One Canyon v3a3IV*

Highest drop 26m Time 8hr30min Public Access Challenging navigation to a low volume canyon with a bit of everything, swims, jumps, slides, raps. This canyon is fully described in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.

Tauherenikau Lower Gorge v1a4III*

Intermediate Tubing/Floating (no ropes) 5-7hrs round trip Public Access Hike in from Marchant Rd to Smith Creek Shelter, then down to the Bucks Rd end Assess the flows at the Tauherenikau Flow Gauge I haven’t been down it yet, so refer to a full route description in; “Tararua Adventure Guide” by Jonathon Kennett

Waiohine Middle Gorge v1a4VI**

No ropes, Difficult tubing/floating 2 (long) days or 3 (more reasonable) days round trip. Mt Holdsworth Rd end, up over Mt Holdsworth to Mid Waiohine Hut, down the gorge to Totara Flats then back to Mt Holdsworth Rd end. Assess the flows at the Waiohine Gorge flow gauge I haven’t been down it yet, so refer…

Otaki Middle Gorge v1a4VI*

No ropework, Difficult Tubing/float trip, 2 day round trip Public access Assess the flows using the Otaki river monitoring site. KiwiCanyons CanyonTopo coming soon, but in the mean time, refer to a full route description in; “Tararua Adventure Guide” by Jonathon Kennett

Hutt Lower Gorge v1a4III*

No ropes, Difficult Tubing/Float trip 4-8hrs Public access “Hutt River at Birchville” Flow Gauge readings A good level is for the ‘stage’ to be between 1000m and 1500m See the Information on http://rivers.org.nz/nz/wellington/hutt/hutt-gorge but note that the flow range here is in relation to the Te Marua gauge, which is upstream of the Birchville gauge. I…

Ruamahanga Lower Gorge Trip Report

Although it rained all the way from Palmy to Mt Bruce, the weather actually cooperated for a trip down the Ruamahanga Lower Gorge. I was looking forward to seeing what it had to offer, since I’d not yet done any of the ‘Classic’ Gorge trips in the Tararua’s yet. Strolling into the Tararua’s via access…

Kapakapanui Hut v3a1III

20m max drop, 8 pitches 2hrs to the Hut | 8hrs back to the car An adventure, but not a good canyoning trip! “Waterfall tramping” down a steep stream, with loose-ish rock and lots of debris in the stream way. About an hour from the hut to the first pitch, 2.5hrs of frequent small waterfalls…