The Upper Waiau has long been regarded by the NZ Paddling community as a classic multi-day intermediate trip. Access was usually by Helicopter or walking in over Mailings pass, an expensive or exhausting option with hardshell kayaks. The below information is from a packraft trip by Chris Coutts and Thomas Land in January 2015. Chris and Thomas chose a longer and more interesting access route over Fowlers Pass. They had very low water conditions for their trip; normal flows are much higher and would require solid class III skills; not a trip to be taken lightly.
Chris and Thomas spent 4 days on their trip, staying at Lake Guyon Hut, Pool Hut and then camping on the river flats a few hours below ‘The Narrows’. Rather than taking out at the main road, they continued to float down the braided middle Waiau (II) all the way to the Hanmer bridge for a shorter car-shuttle . Kayakers often do the trip in just two days, with a night in or near Tin Jug Hut. Tin Jug hut belongs to Glenhope Station, contact them to request to use the hut (+64 3 315 7697)
There was a major earthquake in the region in late 2016, so it would be best to enquire locally if there have been any changes to this classic trip.
The information on the Upper Waiau on Rivers.org.nz is from Graham Charles’ NZ Whitewater book. There’s plenty more information about the river trip, as well as plenty of comments about different flows and how they influenced the nature of the trip.
Also check out Chris Coutts’ trip report on the Packrafting.org forum for his trip report from a packrafters perspective. Chris has also provided links to more photos and information.
Fowlers Pass Track: Top House Road to Waiau River
Its about 5-6hrs via a marked track to the Waiau River. Stanley Vale and Lake Guyon Huts provide options for a place to stay for the night, alternatively there’s lots of camping options in the St James Conservation area.
Take a look at the Fowlers Pass Track information page on the DOC website to learn more about the access track and accommodation options.
Upper Waiau (II) to just above the Henry confluence
Braided river paddling, with sections that could be quite shallow in low flows.
Upper Waiau (III) Just above Henry confluence to McArthur bridge
Three short gorges and boulder garden sections, with plenty of class III paddling.
Pool Hut (4 bunks) is best accessed by beginning at the McArthur bridge then following the track north for about 5 minutes.
Upper Waiau (II) McArthur Bridge to ‘The Narrows
Class II paddling.
Upper Waiau (IV) ‘The Narrows
Read about the Narrows on the Upper Waiau on Rivers.org.nz page.
Chris and Thomas packed up their boats and bush-bashed up on river right to the marked 4WD track to portage this section. They put in again at Tin Jug hut. Kayaking parties often stay in or near Tin Jug Hut. The hut itself belongs to Glenhope station. Contact them on +64 3 315 7697 to ask permission to stay.
Upper Waiau (II+) ‘The Narrows’ to Hope River confluence
Class II+ paddling, through more gorges and boulder gardens.
The Upper Waiau on Rivers.org.nz page talks about a road from Calf Creek to the Waiau as the best take out, but It doesn’t appear to be obvious on google earth.
From just above the confluence, you can take out and head up the Hope River a little way. There’s a vehicle track which leads directly to SH 7 via a gate. Its reasonably easy to see the track on Google Earth. Always worth heading down to the take out to ensure you know what it look like from the river!!
Gauge
Flow at Marble point.
The Upper Waiau on Rivers.org.nz page has a lot of comments about ideal flows for this trip. Bear in mind that Chris and Thomas had a flow of 40 cumecs at Marble point, which is a fair bit lower than Kayakers would usually go for.
Walked in over Maling Pass. Upper braids were not too scrapey at 90cms actually quite enjoyable ~3hrs paddle to Pool hut. A lot of rain overnight with river peaking at 200cms. I waited til midday when it had dropped to about 150 and think it was about 140 when I reached the narrows. Scouted and portaged Upper part over rocks on RR. 1st big drop looked doable but second hole looked quite retentive. Bit of a Bush bash on the portage (I packed up the boat for it) but got in to run the lower part of the narrows. I’d say if you were OK running everything on the Upper gorge near the Henry it’s probably easier portaging this way than around the whole narrows section, but if you’ve done any portaging upstream it’s probably worth just going around the whole thing. Epic paddling from the narrows down at these flows, and stunning gorges. An awesome trip! I was going to paddle to the Hanmer bridge but got a bit cold and bored so took out at a lay by next to the highway about 10km down from the Hope confluence and hitched back to my car. All flows off the Marble Point gauge.
We did this trip in April 2017.
Cruised up Foley’s Track from Lewis Pass to Camp on the Tops by Trovatore. After a frosty start, we had a fine day to traverse the ridgedline through to the Henry Valley for our second night.
The initial sections of paddling were pretty full on. With very continuous sections of grade 3 and a few grade 4’s (which myself and a few others portaged). After lunch it chilled out a bit, but there were still plenty of solid rapids that kept us scanning horizon lines and eddy hopping all day. The Marble point gauge was at 77 cumecs when we started paddling.
We began day 4 with a portage (via 4WD track) of the Narrows, then put on again at Tin Jug Hut. The final day still had regular grade 3 rapids, though most of the gorge sections were quite managable.
A spectacular and challenging trip with a great bunch of folks! Not to be underestimated!
photos here: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.clearwater.50/media_set?set=a.10158540560195463.1073742005.870605462&type=3