Southland, 2 Day, Bikeraft, Out and back.
A fast and continuous run, with multiple approach options. Needs rain to get in condition.
Category: Southland
Mistake Creek (III+)
Southland, 1 Day, Out and back.
Short, steep and needs a bit of rain (but not too much!) A half day from SH94
Hōkurī Creek (III/III+)
Southland, Out and back.
With enough water, this is a technical side trip to the Hollyford/Pyke loop, for suitably skilled and equipped groups.
Mataura River (II/P)
Southland, 7 day.
This is a great seven-day journey through Southland, suitable for paddlers with modest technical skills. It stays interesting the whole way with a steady current, a variety of rapid styles and little towns to resupply.
The Hollyford-Pyke Loop (I/II)
Southland, 5 Day, 6 Day, Loop trip.
The most famous packrafting loop in NZ… An incredible variety of scenery and travel, from low grade rivers, to lakes, coastlines and rugged tracks
Worsley Stream (II+/IIIp)
Southland, 4 Day, Out and back.
Remote side trip to a Lake Te Anau exploration
Grebe River (II/III/IV)
Southland, 1 Day, Roadside, Through trip.
Something for everyone on this scenic and fairly remote roadside run in central Fiordland
The Long Burn loop (II)
Southland, 5 Day, 6 Day, 7 day, Loop trip.
Remote 5-7 day loop through untracked Fiordland
Cromel Stream (II/III)
Southland, 1 Day, 2 Day, Out and back.
Long day or overnighter: good approach routes to a fun grade III gorge and grade II lower section.
Northern Southland.
Wairaurahiri River (II+)
Southland, 3 Day, 4 Day, 5 Day, Loop trip, Out and back, Through trip.
2-5 day options | Fiordland
A classic moderate packrafting trip.
Kaipo River II/III or up to IV
Southland, 8 Day, 9 Day, Loop trip.
3-4 days side trip to the Hollyford Pyke, to explore a seldom visited valley.
Lower Harrison (III/IV) via Milford Sound
Southland, 1 Day, Out and back.
Day trip to quality III paddling with two IV drops.
Fiordland National Park
Windley River (III)
Southland, 2 Day, Through trip.
A classic packrafting trip; an excellent approach over the tops, followed by clean, challenging paddling through bedrock gorges.
Catlins River (III) middle section
Southland, 1 Day, Car to car, Out and back.
Rain run in a forested valley, with small waterfalls over papa shelfs.
4hrs walk about 3-4hrs paddle.
Waiau River (I/II) Te Anau Control Gates to Lake Manapouri
Southland, 1 Day, 2 Day, Loop trip, Through trip.
This section provides lots of options for trips; half day trips using shuttles or walking, full day paddles, overnight options including paddling on Manapouri itself. Despite being bordered by the Kepler track on the true right and roads on the true left, it has quite a wilderness feel, with lots of options. View Larger Topographic…
Eglinton River (I/II) along SH94
Southland, 1 Day, 2 Day, Car to car.
Delightful roadside paddling There is a long section of easy and scenic packrafting to be enjoyed in this valley, using State Highway 94 to access the river at many points. You can pick and choose which sections you do, as half-day, long day or overnight trips using one of the many car-accessible DOC campgrounds along…
Lower Taieri River, Lee Stream to Outram (I/II)
Southland, 1 Day, Out and back.
This is a scenic trip only 20 minutes from Dunedin, taking in the final part of the Lower Taieri run in the Whitewater New Zealand Guide. The run described here misses the grade III section above Lee Stream, and is a good trip for Dunedinites wanting to practice on some grade II rapids. Could be…
Borland Burn (II) from the North-Middle Borland Burn confluence
Southland, 1 Day, 2 Day, Out and back.
Needs a fair bit of rain to make this paddleable, but this is Fiordland so you shouldn’t need to wait long… Options of a stay in a Rock Bivvy, or the North Borland Hut could turn this into an overnighter. Thanks to Jesse Friedlander for the information. View Larger Topographic Map Borland Tracks to the…
Mararoa River (II-III) from South Mavora Lake to Kiwi Burn swingbridge
Southland, 1 Day, Out and back.
A well known Southland kayaking run, with options to hike the shuttle, paddle the lakes or go all the way to the sea if you’re keen! Thanks to Gerard Hill and Andy Magness for the information. View Larger Topographic Map Mavora Lakes Walkway: Kiwi Burn swingbridge to South Mavora Lake Although a mountain bike or…
Eglinton River West Branch – upper section: Cascade Creek to Mistake Creek (II/III)
Southland, 1 Day, Roadside.
Great roadside run in Fiordland, but watch for strainers! Solid grade III skills needed.