Advanced day-trip, boulder gardens, bedrock gorge and challenging whitewater on the West Coast
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.
Aorere (III/IV) Shakespeare Flat To Brown Hut
A gorgeous day trip for advanced packrafters, in Kahurangi National Park, Golden Bay
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
Wanganui River (III/IV) below Hunters Hut
Another overnighter on a wild west coast valley and river. Rough tracks, a great hut and magnificent scenery that backs on to the Adams Wilderness Area.
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.
Lower Kokatahi (II+/III) optional IV
Half day trip for strong intermediate paddlers, with an option to check out a bedrock gorge.
Polnoon Burn (IV) or (III with portages)
Steep creeking in the Shotover River headwaters. 2-3 days, Otago.
Whakapapa (III/IV)
This is a packrafting overnight run that starts on the lower slopes of Ruapehu and bounces its way down to join the Whanganui below Owhango. Most of the flow off Ruapehu is diverted to the Tongariro Power Scheme so it’s best after heavy rain but grade is heavily flow dependant. The Whakapapa is renowned with…
Mokihinui (III+/IV)
The Mokihinui is a brilliant packraft trip. You can walk in from the west, stay a night and paddle out. You can head in from the Buller end by bike or foot on the Old Ghost Road, then hop on the river where your skills dictate.
Wairaurahiri River (II+)
2-5 day options | Fiordland
A classic moderate packrafting trip.
The Lochy River (IV & Portages)
Overnight out and return trip for advanced paddlers. In Otago, near Lake Wakatipu. Permission required
Young River (III/IV)
A great day trip for strong packrafters, in Mt Aspiring National Park.
Karamea River (V with portages)
6-8 days of remote and very advanced whitewater. Great approach & great huts. West coast, Kahurangi National Park.
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…