Mostly stream walking, a few waterfalls which can be easily climbed around.
Tag: Upper North
Haehaenga Stream (2nd tributary) v3a2III*
30m | 7 hrs | Public Access
Te Aroha, Kaimai Ranges
Ryolite Canyon v4a1I
50m | Public | 4hrs
Kopu road, Coromandel Range
Tairua River – 2nd Branch v2a1III
Private land access
2x 10m pitches
Coromandel Ranges
Puketutu Stream v3a2III
Private land access
A couple of waterfalls 1 x slide but otherwise a very average day out carrying gear. This was a biggish day for not much canyon
Rangihau Gorge, via Moss Creek Campsite v4a4IV**
2x60m ropes/7-13hrs/Public Access
Coromandel Peninsula
The Full Rangihau Gorge, from source to road end. A really long day, but very well worth it.
Oteao Falls v3a3III**
*CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE*
30m (1x30m, 1x50m)
5h45m
Private access – see topo
Coroglen valley, Coromandel
Jumps, slides, pools and raps, a high quality day out in the upper north.
Wairere Falls
Tapu to Ngati Hinerangi
Canyoners are asked to refrain from descending this canyon
Rangihau Lower Gorge v3a3II**, via Bulls Run Canyon v3a2II*
33m/6hrs/Public access
Coromandel Peninsula
Classic of the area; steep to start, then watery to finish.
Paton Stream v3a2IV
50m
7hrs
Private access
Tairua Valley, Coromandel Range
An old dam site and one decent 50m pitch with a great view
Brunton Stream v3a2IV*
23m
10hrs
Private access
Tairua Valley, Coromandel
13 pitch adventure canyon
Sleeping God Canyon v4a3III**
Big pitches, some of the highest water levels in the region, big jumps, full-day out… This is one of the region’s best canyons. 5hrs 45m max pitch (3x50m ) Public access (courtesy call to CANYONZ requested before your trip 0800 422 696 ) SG has been an established canyoning route for a long time. Its…
HydroPhobia v4a2III**
26m (1x60m)
7hrs
Public Access
Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel
Steep and slotty canyon with medium length abseils
Starvation Stream access to Rangihau Gorge
Not worth the effort. Go to Bulls Run instead!
Un-named Stream access Rangihau Gorge
This stream was descended when exploring ways to access the Rangihau Gorge. It had a few bits of canyoning, but wasn’t really worth it.
Tauranikau Canyon v3a2III*
20m
7.5hrs
Public access
Easy, low flow canyon, ending in with a swim through the Kauaeranga Gorge
Hydroslide canyon
2x30m ropes
6hrs
Public access
Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel Range
Diamond Creek v4a2III*
32m
6-8hrs
Public access
25 Pitches. The pick of the bunch in Waiorongomai Valley. Low Flow (much more fun after a bit of rain!) Big, continuous waterfalls with the odd gold mining relic.
Premier Creek v2a2III
25m
6hrs
Long, slippery waterfall tramping trip at the head of the Waiorogomai Valley. Only 4 pitches with lots of river walking in between.
Sleeping Dog v4a2I
60m
Public access
Alternative entry to Sleeping God canyon. Has loose rock at the top and is not recommended.
Army Creek v3a1II
30m
Public access
2-3 significant pitches before it joins with Navy creek.
Haehaenga Stream (1st/main tributary) v3a2III*
30m Public Access Steep, Low flow Stream accessed via the Bald Spur summit track from Te Aroha Domain. It is advised to park a shuttle car at the first bridge heading south out of town on Te Aroha-Gordon Road to avoid a long walk back to town at the end of the day!Natural anchors and…
Whataroa Falls Canyon v4a3I*
40m
5hrs
Public access
A short and sweet canyoning trip 40 minutes from Tauranga. Low commitment trip great for less experienced canyoneers with good off-track navigation skills.
Kauaeranga Gorge v2a3III**
Highest drop 5m
Public access
6-7hrs
Interesting tramp to a spectacular gorge, with a number of classic narrow canyon sections and numerous small jumps and swims.
Kaiate Falls Canyon v4a3I*
Highest drop 16m (2x20m ropes) Public access 1-2hrs This is a short sharp canyon that would be great on a hot summers day as there are some deep pools. The area could get quite busy in summer due to the scenic nature of the falls and the adjacent walking tracks so discretion is advised. It…
Tunakohoia Canyon v4a2II**
32m Public access 6.5hrs Tunakohoia is a little gem of a canyon nestled in the hills behind Te Aroha Township. Generally low flow, this is an ideal winter trip as you are not required to spend long periods in the water. The canyon is a lot of fun after some rain when the flow increases…
Camp Stream v3a2II*
Highest drop 30m Public access 7-10hrs Waterfall tramping through spectacular cliffs, with great views to the east. Download reasearch sheet for Camp Creek, Kauaeranga Valley
Navy Creek v3a1III*
Highest drop 22m Public access 11 Pitches down a low flow stream Some brief info on Facebook
Atuatumoe via .626 v4a1III*
50m
4hrs
Public access
Very low flow stream, 3 pitches to 50m, natural anchors.
Mt Rowe Canyon v3a1III*
Highest drop 25m Public access 7hrs Steep, semi open stream in bush. Worthwhile as an option when there is too much water for other Kauaeranga Valley Canyons Download CanyonTopo for Mt Rowe Canyon
Tairua River, Coromandel Ranges
Public access Waterfall tramping or Gorging Download info sheet for Tairua River, Coromandel Ranges
McGuiness Stream
Public access Steep waterfall tramping. Download info sheet for McGuiness Stream, Coromandel Ranges
Hikuai Stream
Public access Sounds like more waterfall tramping, but with some pools reported. Download info sheet for Hikuai Stream, Coromandel Ranges
Green Tree Stream
Public access Sounds like steep, low volume waterfall tramping. Download info sheet for Green Tree Stream, Coromandel Ranges
Okahu Stream, v4a3III*
Highest drop 50m Public access 5-6hrs One huge 100m waterfall broken into 2 sections, with some small jumps and stream walking. Download topo for Okahu Stream, Kaitaia
Wentworth River v4a2I*
Highest drop 40m 3-6hrs dependant on route. Public access A couple of beautiful and very easy to access waterfalls. Suitable for experienced absiellers who want to try a little canyoning. Thanks to Shannan Fraser A full description can be found in the Canyoning in NZ guidebook.
Tutumangao Stream v4a2III*
Public Access 4-5hr round trip 45m **UPDATE OCTOBER 2022*** Unfortunately there has been significant storm damage to the canyon, with lots of trees down in the stream, which makes the trip not reccomended at present. Emma Stanley Original canyon notes There are rappels in the stream almost from the summit of Mt Te Aroha, however…
Sleeping Beauty Canyon v4a2III*
Longest drop 55m Public access 6hrs A committing descent with a series of waterfalls in relatively low volume water. Beta sheet for Sleeping Beauty Canyon