50m max drop (2x50m ropes)
3.5hr/2.5hr/2hr = 8hr Public access
Tag: Tararuas
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
Holdsworth Creek v4a2IV*
50m | Long day | Public access
Tararua Range.
Long mountain day, with a short 5-pitch canyon section
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
Chamberlain Creek v3a3VI**
15m max drop
2-3 days
Public access
Tararua Ranges..
The classic canyon of the Tararua Range! Awesome weekend adventure.
Ruapae Falls v4a2V*
37m 2x50m
12hrs
Public access
Waterfall tramping, lots of short drops, boulder scrambling with a final gorge section and drop over Ruapae Falls.
Usually done in two days, with an overnight at Herepai Hut
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/
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
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…
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…
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…