A brilliant taste of big-water grade II+
The Hokitika River is known for the azure blue water of the lower gorge which has become a much-photographed tourism destination. Despite an absence of whitewater in this stunning location there is plenty to choose from higher in the catchment – including some of Aotearoa’s most iconic and difficult whitewater. Somewhere in between these extremes, the 10 km section from the Whitcombe confluence and the lower Hokitika gorge offers, arguably, one of the best day trips for solid beginner and intermediate packrafters looking for a big water feel in the grade II to II+ range. There’s also a grade III option a little further upstream. This trip is a great choice for low summer flows when other rivers may be short on water.
In comparison to the hair-raising gorges that characterise the upper Hokitika and Whitcombe catchments, this lower section has long been regarded as a great entry-level run for kayakers interested in more remote runs beyond the road end. Adding to the sense of achievement for packrafters, the 10 km walk-in offers a great alternative to an entry-level heli trip. The journey is beautifully bookended by the start and finish gorges making for a well-rounded and memorable outing and there are also options to adjust the start point to suit the party and conditions.
Thanks to Elias Love and Shane Orchard for the information and photos for this trip page.
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Approach on foot
The trip starts at the Hokitika Gorge, which is about 30 km of rough road from Hokitika. Allow at least 40 minutes drive. Confusingly, the road that leads to the Hokitika Gorge is called the Whitcombe Valley Road.
On the drive in, eyeball the take-out at Granite Creek, which is located just downstream from the Hokitika Gorge carpark. Park up in the main carpark or continue another 1 km along a rough 4wd track to the Whitcombe valley track start.
Theres some good information on tracks, routes and huts in the DOC web page about the Hokitika Catchment. It is about 2-3 hours of reasonably good travel up valley as far as the cableway to Rapid Creek hut.
This is your decision point, depending on the conditions, your team and what sort of water you want to paddle:
- Put on at the cableway for mostly grade II with a few bits of II+
- Continue on the true left to put above Rapid Creek for a solid II+ start
- Continue on the true right base of the Kakariki Canyon for a grade III start
Crossing the cableway needs the right technique: you can easily loose a finger if you’re not paying attention. Rapid Creek Hut is a tidy little refuge, close to the river with great mountain views. There’s space to camp outside, which is handy because the hut is fairly well used. A night here is a great way to do the trip if you have an afternoon and a morning available for your trip.
To continue up the true right from the cableway, the route upstream is not immediately obvious. The formed track climbs a steep bank to the cableway platform and does not continue further. Instead, before the cableway, find a way down to the river and boulder hop along the water’s edge.
Eventually you’ll find the marked track again. This track crosses a forested terrace before rejoining the river opposite the Whitcombe confluence. The track is easy to lose in this relatively open section of forest so be prepared for a little routing finding. Continue upstream to gain the riverbed below Kakariki Canyon. Along the way scope out the rapids and decide on your ideal start point.
On the water
Below Kakariki Canyon to the Whitcombe confluence (III)
From Kakariki Canyon there are a series of fairly continuous grade III boulder gardens with some powerful hydraulics to avoid.
At this point we also need to mention the scenery which is stunning! This 1 km section has a different feel from the lower river adding variety to the trip. It eases back to grade II+ water a short distance above the Whitcombe confluence.
Whitcombe Confluence to Rapid Creek cableway (II+)
At the confluence the flow typically doubles and the river assumes a more big water feel with some fast moving rapids and great wave trains. For less experienced paddlers putting in at the junction is a great option that takes in a lengthy grade II+ rapid located approximately 1 km downstream.
Other options include putting in below this rapid or anywhere further downstream towards the cableway.
Rapid Creek cableway to below the Hokitika Gorge (II+)
From the cableway expect most grade II water with a few punchy steeper II+ rapids on the prominent corners and several great play spots.
The gradient eases off a little further down before a final rapid announces the entry to the lower Hokitika gorge. The gorge itself is just flat water, with some swirly eddy lines and currents. Float on down for a very scenic and satisfying finale. Make sure you wave to the tourists on the swingbridge!
Gauge
Although the track does go away from the river, there’s a number of spots where you can see what you might be getting yourself into. The Hokitika has a large catchment: be wary if it looks grey rather than azure blue.. Everything will just get bigger: the waves, the holes, the speed….