Lower Hurunui: Mandamus river to SH7 bridge (I)

Canterbury, 1 Day, Roadside.

Hurunui River overview The Hurunui is the most important River in Canterbury for paddlers. It has navigable flows all year round and offers a good variety of whitewater runs.  From Lake Sumner down, there are a variety of runs, catering for all types of paddlers. Upper Hurunui (described as one run) Lake to Sisters (I/II)…

Hooker Lake from Mt Cook Village

Canterbury, 1 Day, Out and back.

A half day explore on a glacially fed lake with an incredible view of NZ’s tallest peak. View Larger Topographic Map Hooker Valley Track The Hooker Valley Track is one of the most popular short walks in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, and its not hard to see why. On a very easy, gravelled and…

Lower Waiohine Gorge (II+) From Totara Flats Hut to Gorge Road

Wellington, 1 Day, 2 Day, Car to car.

As it descends through the Tararua Ranges, the Waiohine River has a number of sections of interest to Packrafters. The Upper Gorge (above Mid Waiohine Hut),  Middle Gorge (Mid Waiohine Hut to Totara Flats Hut)  and the Lower Gorge (Totara Flats Hut to Gorge Road). The lower Gorge of the Waiohine is a typical scenic…

Rees River (II/III) from Muddy Creek to McDougals Creek

Otago, 1 Day, Roadside.

A great little roadside run in a beautiful beech lined valley. There’s a few pool drop Class III rapids at the beginning, followed by a fun and bouncy trip on pretty continuous class II. The initial rapids can be easily portaged. Thanks to Huw Miles for the information. Photo credits to Huw Miles www.packraftingqueenstown.com: Julian…

Pororari River (I) swingbridge to SH6

West Coast, 1 Day, 2 Day, Through trip.

A short scenic float through a huge limestone gorge, this could be the last section of a trip on the Inland Packtrack, or a short out and back from Punakaiki. Thanks to Elias Love for the photos and info. View Larger Topographic Map Pororari River Track Its about 1hr up the track to the swingbridge…

Whataroa River (sections from II+ to IV+)

West Coast, 1 Day, Out and back.

Something for everyone on the Whataroa The mighty Whataroa is a classic west coast paddling adventure: big flows, spectacular scenery and challenging whitewater, especially in the upper reaches. Progressively getting steeper as you go further from the highway, there are three distinct sections that range from an arduous overnight adventure at the very top end…

Otaki River (II) Forks to Kaitawa Rd bridge

Wellington, 1 Day, Roadside.

This is a lovely introductory trip in a scenic gorge with road access to put-in and take-out. Popular with kayakers, rafter and tubers, it’s a great trip, but even though the road isn’t far away, the gorge walls mean that its not easy to escape once you’ve started. Thanks to Martin Robertson and Carol Exton…

Moeraki River (I/II) from Boulder Creek to the ocean

West Coast, 1 Day, Through trip.

Unlike the section above Haast-Paringa Cattle Track, the lower Moeraki is a very gentle paddle. This trip involves travel through the river, a lake, a bush bash (or coastal walk at low tide)to a penguin colony, then back to the road via an excellent track. The coastal walk section is very subject to tide and…

Mikonui River (II)

West Coast, 1 Day, Through trip.

Fantastic beginner run with a wilderness feel

Wangapeka River (III/IV) from Kings Creek Hut to Rolling Junction

Tasman, 1 Day, 2 Day, Out and back.

An out and back day mission to a challenging river in Kahurangi National Park. Thanks to Aaron Reimer for permission to use his trip report as a basis for this trip page. Aaron thinks there are options to extend the trip upstream (with harder rapids than this section) and downstream (more mellow rapids) of this…

Lewis River (III) from Deer Valley

Canterbury, 1 Day, Roadside.

One of a series of ‘teaser’ trip pages inspired by Hugh Canard, prior to the 2017 Boyle Outdoor Centre PRANZ Meetup. Treat the information with healthy scepticism – if you’ve done the run, then please contact us with more info and a few photos to expand this page. View Larger Topographic Map Lewis River (III)…

Boyle River (III) Poplars gorge

West Coast, 1 Day, Out and back.

One of a series of ‘teaser’ trip pages for those heading to the 2017 NZ Packrafting Meetup. Thanks to Hugh Canard for the information. I’m hopeful that the Meetup will result in a little more info plus a few photos so we can expand these pages. Featured image is By Michal Klajban (Hikingisgood.com) (Own work)…

Doubtful River (II) from Doubtless Hut

Canterbury, 1 Day, 2 Day, Out and back.

There are 3 rivers that run parallel on the western side of the Lewis River. The Doubtful River is not the most scenic, or the most exciting, but it does have whio and potential in higher water. Thanks to Colin Kinnison for the information and photos for this trip page. View Larger Topographic Map SH7…

Boyle River (II+) from Boyle Village to Windy Point

Canterbury, West Coast, 1 Day, Car to car.

One of a series of ‘teaser’ trip pages for those heading to the 2017 NZ Packrafting Meetup. Thanks to Hugh Canard for the information. I’m hopeful that the Meetup will result in a little more info plus a few photos so we can expand these pages. View Larger Topographic Map Boyle River (II+) from Boyle…

Pelorus River (II/III) from Roebuck Hut to Pelorus Bridge

Marlborough, 1 Day, 2 Day, Roadside, Through trip.

A classic intermediate overnighter, with decent tracks, huts and gorgeous gorges. There’s heaps of ways to enjoy the Pelorus, from grade I day trips to weekend grade III through trips. With a little imagination, the choice is yours! Thanks to Bryan Moore for the trip updates. Feature image is credit to Dulkara Martig Collection. View…

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…

South Temple Stream (III-) from South Temple Hut

Otago, 1 Day, 2 Day, Loop trip, Out and back.

Apart from a very short and easily portaged gorge halfway down, the South Temple below the hut provides fast and consistent paddling through boulder gardens. This sweet section of stream needs a bit of rain to bring it into condition for paddling, otherwise it is just too bony to float. There are a few options…

Clutha River (I) Alexandra to Roxborough Gorge

Otago, 1 Day, Out and back.

A relaxed float down one of NZ’s largest rivers, with impressive rocky cliffs and heritage sites on the return journey. We began our day trip from Alexandra, and returned by hiking up the Roxborough Gorge Trail, though there are other ways to incorporate a packraft into a trip in this area. You could hike or…

Ahuriri River (I-II) from Watson Creek

Otago, 1 Day, Out and back, Roadside.

The upper section needs a bit of rain to be worth a trip, but it’s a beautiful valley and a very mellow paddle. Depending on your enthusiasm, time and objectives, you could visit the Ahuriri for a day trip, a short shuttle run, or a long float all the way to Omarama. View Larger Topographic…