Packrafting the Barlow River – A True West Coast Classic

Nestled in the rugged wilderness of South Westland, the Barlow River is a tributary of the Perth River and is a packrafting adventure that combines stunning scenery, technical rapids, and a challenging hike-in. Our trip to the Barlow was nothing short of spectacular—and if you’re a confident packrafter craving a unique and challenging experience filled with adrenaline and untouched landscapes, this is a trip worth adding to your bucket list.

Thanks to Barny Young from Packraft NZ for the images and information, from a descent in November 2024

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The Hike to the Barlow River

Reaching the Barlow River is no easy feat. The hike took myself and Keith Riley 10 hours of moving time so it was a long and tiring day!

The Whataroa valley track begins near the old bridge over the Whataroa River. The hike starts easy following the well-maintained and marked DOC track up the Whataroa. Cross at the swingbridge and continue on the track to the Perth Valley following the signs towards Scone hut.

We hiked upstream of the Perth / Barlow confluence and then paddled downstream to true river left of the Barlow, but for the most efficient access, I’d recommend crossing the Perth River further downstream, then coming up through the river flats to the the Barlow confluence – This route saves you from hiking up and over a steep 1km section that takes you away from the river.

Once you make it to the confluence of the Perth and Barlow rivers, look for the ZIP (zero invasive predators) tracks on the true left of the Barlow. It’s important to note that these tracks are not well-maintained or marked, but they will help guide you the rest of the way up the Barlow Valley to just before Perverse Creek.

To reach the Barlow, look for a steep spur leading to the river, about 150m downstream of the Perverse Creek confluence. There are bluffs up and downstream of this point: be prepared for some tricky routefinding.

While it’s possible to tackle the entire hike in one day as we did, breaking it up into two days with a stop at Nolans Hut would make the adventure more manageable. This would allow you to enjoy the hike at a more relaxed pace and take in the incredible surroundings

A Packrafter’s Dream… The Barlow River (V)

When we finally reached the Barlow, it was clear that the effort to get there was worth it. The river is the epitome of a West Coast classic—with stunning, narrow gorges, technical whitewater, and surreal scenery.

The Barlow is a solid Class V river, particularly for packrafters, though many of the harder rapids can be scouted and walked around if necessary.

The rapids are characterized by technical boulder gardens that require precise maneuvering and careful planning. This is world-class whitewater that will test even seasoned packrafters. Our descent was punctuated by stops in the breathtaking gorges, with natural “hoses” spilling from rock walls into the river and creating postcard-perfect scenes.

The Paddle Out: Perth (IV) and Whataroa Rivers (II+)

After navigating the demanding yet rewarding waters of the Barlow, you’ll eventually reach its confluence with the Perth River. From here, it’s still a spicy flow down the Perth – as the higher water required to paddle the Barlow means the Perth river is flowing high – Take Care.

Read more about the Perth (IV) from Five Finger stream on Riverguide.co.nz and Lower Whataroa (II+) on PackraftingTrips.nz

Gauge

Whataroa at SMB

On the day of our trip, the Whataroa River was flowing at 120 cumecs—what we would call a high-medium flow. Based on the conditions, I’d recommend running the Barlow when the Whataroa flow is between 80–120 cumecs, as anything below 80 would likely be too low for a good experience.

Barny’s tips for adventurers

• Timing is Key: Plan your trip around a good weather window and give the river time to settle a few days after rain. Check the flows on the Whataroa River before you start.
• Plan Your Route: While the ZIP tracks are helpful, don’t rely entirely on them as they are not well-marked. Be ready for some navigation challenges along the way.
• Fitness Matters: The hike is demanding, especially if you opt for the 10-hour trek all in one day. Prepare accordingly!
• Know Your Skill Level: The Barlow is not for beginners. If you’re experienced with Class 4–5+ rivers and comfortable with technical packrafting, you’ll love this trip.