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…
Tag: Class II
Dobson River (I/II) via Jamieson Saddle to Lake Ohau
3-4 Day through trip.
MacKenzie Basin/Canterbury
Tongariro Blue Pools (II+)
Trip Overview Blue Pools is a great Class II introduction to the Tongariro river. It is a roadside run downstream of the Class III Access 10 run. It has a reliable year-round flow of about 16m3 and a number of schedule release days where it is allowed to flow at what would be its normal…
Whangaehu Colliers to Polson (II+/III)
The Whangaehu below Colliers is a pleasant paddle with an unpleasant smell, courtesy of Ruapehu’s Crater Lake. There is something about this seething cauldron that will draw you back. This is if course the fun rapids – this reach has a few decent II+ or even III rapids at each end and lots of Class…
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…
Taieri River (I/III) – The Rock and Pillar Run
1-3 day options, scenic gorges and mostly easy paddling.
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
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 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.
The Long Burn loop (II)
Remote 5-7 day loop through untracked Fiordland
Hawdon River (II/III)
A great rain or snowmelt run, suitable for mixed groups of intermediate level paddlers
Moonlight Creek (I/II/III/IV)
Something for everyone on this small west coast creek. An amazing day trip near Greymouth
Ohau Gorge (II/III)
Short day trip to a scenic gorge. Near Levin in the Tararua Ranges
Cromel Stream (II/III)
Long day or overnighter: good approach routes to a fun grade III gorge and grade II lower section.
Northern Southland.
Wairaurahiri River (II+)
2-5 day options | Fiordland
A classic moderate packrafting trip.
Poulter River (I/II) via Casey Saddle
An ‘almost-loop’ trip through Arthurs Pass mountains and braided river valleys. There are a few options for paddling the Poulter, including continuing on down the Waimakariri Gorge. Thanks to Michael Batchelor for the information and photos to make up this trip page. Haydn Deane posted a great video of the Poulter-Waimak Gorge option on vimeo…