A great run when the perfect flow lines up!

This is a good beginner to intermediate run that offers a combination of great scenery and whitewater, plus a perfectly situated hut for an overnight option.

It is very well suited to a mixed group where some may paddle the harder section while others skip this and paddle the grade II water on either side. The only downside is that normal flows are too low, and you need to time it right with spring snowmelt or with a rain event. This makes it somewhat of a novelty run when the conditions are just right, but it’s well worth putting on the radar for when the right day comes along!

Thanks to Shane Orchard for the images and words

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The walk in

The trip begins from the road-end at the DOC Hawdon campsite. The first river crossing is almost right away: if you can just make it across with a group supported crossing, flows should be good!.

Soon after, there’s a crossing of Sudden Valley Stream. A marked track then starts on the forest fringe but leads back into the riverbed further upstream where a second crossing of the Hawdon will take you to a grassy flat on the true left. Follow this upstream, cross the East Hawdon, then continue another 1 km to the final crossing of the main branch. A well-marked track continues from here to Hawdon Hut. Soon you’ll start seeing some more interesting rapids, as the valley narrows into a small and very scenic gorge. The walking track provides good views of nearly all the rapids so do some scouting on the way up.

In particular, note the spot where the track is close to the start of the crux gorge, in case anyone from your team plans to portage that section!

On the water

The flow nearly doubles at the Discovery Stream confluence, so that makes for a logical starting point. The run has a good pace to it, starting with some grade II wave trains that gradually become more interesting downstream.

The crux grade III section is easy to avoid if needed by pulling out on the true right where the walking track offers an easy portage option. The main rapid is a lovely boulder garden with interesting small chutes and a generally clean sinuous line staying with the main flow.

Midway through, the rapid becomes a little harder with a few obstacles requiring cross-current moves, followed by a 1-metre pour-over into a pool.

In the summer of 2024, there was a large tree hazard across the main flow almost immediately downstream of this pour-over drop. There’s a tight, must-make eddy after the drop, but make sure you protect this drop with an accurate throw-bagger in just the right spot…

Below this pool, a final stretch of grade II+ boulder garden marks the end of the gorge section as the valley widens out.

Continuing down to the East Hawdon confluence, you’ll find a series of grade II rapids with some nice corners offering good eddies and few play spots. The last 5 km of the run is open riverbed, but flows along at a good pace with only a few slow stretches and braids to navigate. In the final kilometre, you’ll find a few more good rapids as the main flow comes up against the true left bank to provide a picturesque end to the run.

Gauge

Visual

The Hawdon is one of those rivers you will check many times and decide that there is not enough water. Bide your time and wait until the flows come good.! This is likely to be in the spring snowmelt or after some decent rain. Because much of the travel upstream is in the riverbed (with at least three crossings required), there is a narrow window of water levels that allows walking access with sufficient flow for paddling. If you can just cross the river safely with a team support method at the first crossing, then the flow should be good (unless it is dropping fast!) Alternatively, you could travel up the day before an incoming rain event and stay at Hawdon Hut. Be sure to pack a little extra food to wait out high water, if the rain event turns out to be bigger than forecast ;0)