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.
Tag: Day trip
Aorere (III/IV) Shakespeare Flat To Brown Hut
A classic day trip off the Heaphy Track for intermediate to advanced packrafters: fun and challenging paddling with a scenic backdrop and wonderful wilderness feel. But be wary: the Aorere is notorious for how much it rises with rain. Not too surprising when you consider it has a 573km catchment, and headwaters very near the…
Takaka River (II or III) powerhouse to the bridge
This is a roadside run, which is dam controlled and very popular with all paddlers. Access Leave a car (or bikes) at the new road bridge on the Cobb valley road and drive up to the power station. Easiest to get in on the left fork assuming the turbines are all running. View Larger Topographic…
Aorere River (II) Salisbury Falls Gorge
The crystal clear Aorere cuts through the epic rock gorge at Salisbury falls, which is Takaka’s biggest and busiest swimming hole. The gorge itself runs for a few km each side of the tourist area and is an easy and spectacular trip, suitable for confident beginners. This is a short and sweet car-shuttle run, which…
The Ellery, Jackson & Arawhata Loop (I+)
A longish day trip, with a great variety of terrain and non-technical paddling.
South Westland
Glenroy River (IV)
The Glenroy is a technical, short sharp introduction to Class 4 creeking. It can be packrafted at flows lower than recommended for kayaks. It has lots of rocks and pin /wrap hazards at low flow so be wary. Once you are in the gorge there is only one way out! The put in is the…
Maruia River (II+) Boundary Road to Shenandoah Stream
The Maruia is a very pleasant and scenic float that is mostly Class II. There is a Class III rapid in the middle of the run and there are a few Class II+ depending on flow. It’s an easy run as anything above Class II is easily portaged. You don’t need 2 days to complete…
Upper Nevis River (I/III)
Roadside grade III in Otago Highcountry, with two day’s worth of paddling, hiking and biking on offer.
Needs rain to be runnable.
Lower Slate Gorge (IV) from Moonlight Flat
A low-flow daytrip to a steep and beautiful gorge
Golden Bay, Tasman
Lower Harrison (III/IV) via Milford Sound
Day trip to quality III paddling with two IV drops.
Fiordland National Park
Jollie River (II+/III) from above Littles Hut
Overnighter or day trip, out and back. Needs spring flows or rain.
Lake Pukaki/MacKenzie/Canterbury
Broken River (II/III) with portages
Curious geology is the highlight of this run: that and the caves, gorges and fence hazards. Information on the Porter River (II with mandatory portage) is included at the end of this page as it looks like an enticing ‘no walk’ option. However, there are fences, nasty sieves and a mandatory portage. View Larger Topographic…
Fox River (II)
Day or overnight out and return, through spectacular limestone canyons, with mellow paddling.
Paparoa National Park, Westland
Shotover River, upstream of Arthurs Point II+ to IV (P)
A classic Otago run, with options for road, foot and heli access, and trips from 1 to 5 days in length.
Raukokore River (II)
The Raukokore from Te Kumi Station is a pleasant Grade I-II trip in the East Cape Raukumara Ranges with a wilderness feel. It can be done in a long day or split over two. Description and photos Stu Bilby. Put in Put in on the Waikura River on Te Kumi Road. Usually near the road…
Tairua River (II) Broken Hills run: SH25A to Hikuai
Car to car day trip
Kauri forests & farmland
Coromandel Ranges
Arahura River (sections from V to II)
One of the most sought after and enjoyed runs in New Zealand: high quality, high difficulty paddling, Near Lake Kaniere, on the West Coast.
Upper Hurunui River: Lake to Seaward River (I/II)
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)…
Middle Hurunui River: Hawarden Gap (II+)
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)…
Mohaka TeHoe (III)
This is a half day run through a scenic gorge. The Te Hoe can hit Class III+ in higher flows. At low flows it’s technical boulder gardens with most (but not all) harder rapids being portageable. By Road To get to the put-in drive down Waitara road about 8km to Glenfalls. From Glenfalls continue 5km…