More features than maybe you’d think, but not really worth the effort to descend. First known descent in 2017, followed by a series of descents by people thinking they were the first explorer. ;0) A good reason to put up canyons even if they aren’t fantastic, so others can explore elsewhere!
Tag: Top of the South
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…
Blue Creek v3a1II*
18m 2x30m | 4hrs Public access
Mt Owen, Kahurangi National Park
Mostly dry marble slot canyon. Very scenic!
East Sabine Awe-Chasm v4a5IV***
15m | 12hrs (3hrs in canyon)
Public access
Nelson Lakes
Table Creek v4a3VI**
75m | 12hrs+ | Public
Abel Tasman National Park
A canyoning marathon through the center of the Natioanl
Gamblers Canyon v4a1IV*
60m (2x60m)
3.5hrs
Public access
Golden Bay, Top of the South.
Steep, low flow v-profile canyon.
Cupola Creek v4a5IV***
15m (2×20 & throwbag)
12.5hrs
Public access
Travers Valley, Nelson Lakes NP
Magnificent slot canyon with bullet hard rock.
Paget ridge canyon v3a2I
25m
2hrs
Public access
Lake Tennyson, Clarence Valley
Short, simple intro trip.
Fyffe Gorge v2a3III*
40m (optional, can walk around)
6-7hrs
Public access
Challenging scramble up a deep limestone gorge to a swim up and explore a short but spectacular marble slot canyon. Options for canyoning short canyon sections on the descent, but all can be walked around.
Waterfall Creek v4a4III**
30m
6-8hrs
Public access: Courtesy call to guiding company requested.
More open, granite slab canyon, with lots of technical downclimbing and some excellent slides up to 17m.
Goldilocks Creek v3a2II*
28m
3.5hrs
Public access
Great introduction to vertical canyoning – low water flow, user friendly features and anchors, and can exit almost anywhere.
Banks Creek v1a3I*
No absiels
Public access
Nice lower gorge and some jumps, worth climbing up after a trip to Devils Creek.
Devil’s Creek TL fork
Only one abseil, not worth the effort
Foster Creek v2a3I
No absiels
Public access.
A short side trip from Doom Creek
Johnson Creek v1a3I
Stream walking, with some jump potential if you scramble up the gorge sides.
Middle Wakamarina v1a4I*
Float trip
Public access
Big jumps (from the rim) and long swims. Able to combine it with several of the other canyons/gorges in the area.
Devils Creek v3a2II*
25m
4hrs
Public access
Varied and scenic waterway with a handful of nice features, separated by plenty of walking.
Juicy Falls Canyon v4a3IV*
67m
9h30
Public access
Medium flow canyon with beautiful steep, clean abseils. Steep sidewalls in most places. Overall a good, challenging vertical canyon.
Lower Wakamarina Gorge v1a4I**
No rappels: float trip
1.5hrs
Public access
Medium Volume float trip with lots of jumping opportunities, usually combined with Doom Creek.
Evans Creek v3a3V*
30m
10-11hrs
Public access
A remote, adventurous canyon that is made doable in a long day by the Project Janzoon trapping lines. Probably only worth the effort if you like the idea of exploring a rarely seen beautiful part of the park. You could potentially do Evans, Table, Waterfall over a few days.
Doom Creek v2a3II**
7m
2-3hrs
Public access
Low volume horizontal slot canyon with a few down climbs and swims. Good for beginners. Lots of options in the valley for combining with other trips
Campbell Creek v1a3I**
10m (1x20m)
2.5hrs
Public access
Easy access to a mellow, but fun and very beautiful stream. Lots of medium to small jumps.
Falls River v4a5III**
22m
6hrs
Public access
Water taxi access to a moderate to high flow canyon. A short sharp vertical section followed by a more open, fun and mellow section. Lots of jumps and big pools.
Taipo Creek v3a1II*
35m (R30 + DC5m)
3 hrs
Public access
Steep waterfall stream with numerous small – medium abseils concentrated in 500m of streamway.
Deep Creek v1a1I
No absiels
10mins
Public access
Worth a splash if you are in the area without your canyon gear!
Wainui River v3a4V*
12m
10+hrs
Public access
Long, difficult bush bash to a high volume river/gorge with lots of walking and some jumping.
Gordon’s Knob
Placeholder post
Awapoto Stream
Waiting for more information!
Little Deep Creek v4a2II
Public access 4hrs A few pitches to 40m or so, with a few wee slides and contrived jumps.. Not very continuous, lots of boulder scrambling. Not really worth repeating. You can take a look at the original topo notes for Little Deep Creek if you’re keen.
White Creek v4a2II*
Highest drop 50m Public access 4hrs Nice easy half-day canyon trip. Fairly open, granite waterfalls. Low volume, so not many pools. Highlights are a nice 50m waterfall and a jump into the Buller river to finish! First descent: Benoit Gourgues, Richard Bramley, 11 Jun 17. Thanks to Richard for the CanyonTopo Download the White Creek CanyonTopo
St Ronans Well v2a3I*
Highest drop 7m Private land, permission required 1hr30 A very short canyoning trip. It’s very enclosed and scenic, which makes it worthwhile. Medium volume, with short rappels and downclimbs. Easily repeatable in a day. Download the St Ronans Topo
Slippery Nipple Canyon v3a2III*
Highest drop 30m Public access 7hrs Steep low volume stream suitable for intermediate canyoners. Lots of rappels, some picturesque. Download the Slippery Nipple Topo
Heart Throb Canyon v4a4IV*
35m | 6hrs | public access
Peak Creek’s little brother, challenging but not as full on as its sibling.
Clearwater Stream v3a2III*
Highest drop 30m Public Access 5-6 hrs Clearwater Stream is a steep and continuous canyon with many quality rappels up to 30m. Full escape from the canyon would be difficult as the canyon walls are steep and exposed. Download the Clearwater Stream Topo
Chandler Stream (upper) v3a3III*
Highest drop 20m Public Access 4 hrs The upper section of Chandler Stream is of lesser quality than the lower section (see separate topo), but there are still some very nice rappels and enclosed sections that make it a worthwhile addition. Download the Chandler Stream Upper Topo
Chandler Stream (Lower) v3a3II**
Highest drop 16m Public Access 3 hrs Probably the best bang for your buck trip in the region. The lower section of Chandler Stream is quite short but of high quality: continuous, beautiful and enclosed. Reminiscent of Haast Past canyons. Download the Chandler Stream Lower Topo
Ellis Creek v4a3II*
Highest drop 40m Public access 3 hrs A short little canyon with a nice slide and a couple of beautiful big waterfalls. Makes for a nice half day trip. Download the Ellis Creek Topo
Hope River v4a2III*
Highest drop 32m Public access 3-4hrs A great beginners/intermediate trip with easy access and reasonably short time in the canyon. Low flow, predominantly vertical in nature. Download the Hope River Topo
Peak Creek v6a4IV**
50m (2x60m) | 8-10hrs | Public access
Test piece of the top of the south
Waima Gorge
Download Research sheet for Waima Gorge Landowners are reluctant to grant access via the vehicle track to the north. (Long daytrip option) However, Andrew Watson and friends gained permission for a 3 day Gorge Tramping trip via Isolation Hut and Zoo Hut. Looks like a classic gorge float/scrambling/tramping trip, rather than a pure canyoning trip. A…