The most famous packrafting loop in NZ…
5-6 Days | Fiordland | Stay in DOC Huts
Author: PackraftingTrips.NZ
Pukaki River (II)
Scheduled dam release run: a great class II roadside run when the water is flowing (a couple of times a year)
Tekapo Whitewater Course (II/III)
Just behind Tekapo town, is a fantastic artificial whitewater course. Normally dry, the river flows only at scheduled releases (keep an eye on the official Tekapo WW facebook page for timings) Releases are usually timed for a weekend: come camp under the pine trees by the put in and join in the good times! The…
Jerry River (II/IV)
A 4-5 day ‘side trip’ to the Hollyford/Pyke loop, in a remote corner of south westland.
Dobson River (I/II) via Jamieson Saddle to Lake Ohau
3-4 Day through trip.
MacKenzie Basin/Canterbury
North Branch Ashburton River (II)
A great overnight through trip, with continuous wave trains and fun paddling.
Edwards River (II+/III+)
An adventure with something for just about everyone The lower Edwards River in Arthur’s Pass National Park is a great option for a short but adventurous trip. This trip has a great mix of ‘something for everyone’ with an optional harder upper section, great variety and scenery, and a wilderness feel to it despite all…
Barlow River (V)
Two to three days round trip to a classic hard west coast creek run.
Taieri River (I/III) – The Rock and Pillar Run
1-3 day options, scenic gorges and mostly easy paddling.
South Branch Ashburton River / Hakatere (III/IV)
With good access, continuous whitewater, grade III gorges plus an optional grade IV upper section with a chockstone, this is bound to become an East Coast classic day trip for intermediate to advanced packrafters. “The run feels similar to the classic narrows section on the Upper Waiau. The tight gorge where you float beneath a…
Worsley Stream (II+/IIIp)
Remote side trip to a Lake Te Anau exploration
Grebe River (II/III/IV)
Something for everyone on this scenic and fairly remote roadside run in central Fiordland
Lower Tuke River (III/IV)
A spectacular half to full day side-trip from Mikonui Hut on the West Coast.
Awatere River (II/II+ & III)
Running parallel to the mighty Waiau-Toa / Clarence River, the Awatere River gives you some of same classic feel of big views, dry country and moderate whitewater in a smaller package The Awatere drains the western side of the Inland Kaikoura Range and a variety of smaller ranges on the north side of the river….
Lower Toaroha River (IV)
Advanced day-trip, boulder gardens, bedrock gorge and challenging whitewater on the West Coast
Lower Styx River (II+/III)
Gets harder as you walk in so start where you like! Something for everyone in a scenic valley.
Cascade River (II/III)
Challenging approaches to Intermediate paddling on a remote an scenic Westland River
Matakitaki River – Mammoth Gorge (II/II+) & Horse Terrace Gorge (III+)
Farm track and bush road access, two stunning gorges and varied whitewater all within a compact and walkable river trip.
Aorere (III/IV) Shakespeare Flat To Brown Hut
A gorgeous day trip for advanced packrafters, in Kahurangi National Park, Golden Bay
The Long Burn loop (II)
Remote 5-7 day loop through untracked Fiordland