This page is purely inspired by videos and trip reports that I’ve seen: I haven’t done the trip myself, so read into the reports what you will, and make your own assessment! As far as I can tell, it looks like a classic overnight through trip. A longish hike into a sweet hut, then a…
Tag: 2 Day
Borland Burn (II) from the North-Middle Borland Burn confluence
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
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…
Waimakariri River (I-II) Carrington Hut to Klondyke Corner
Classic Canterbury braided river, with some nice huts and options for tramping side trips. Easily done as a day trip, you could spend many days exploring the upper catchment before floating back down to your car. View Larger Topographic Map Waimakariri Valley: Carrington Hut Route The Waimakariri Valley is a major route featuring in a…
Nina River (I-III) from Nina Hut to State Highway 6
A beautiful walk in through a densely forested valley with scattered grassy clearings and high open tussock ridges, backed by rocky summits. To top it off, the river is visually stunning, an easy class I-II with an exciting class III section through a small gorge. This trip page is adapted with permission from a trip…
Matukituki River East Branch (II/III-) from Junction Flat to Cameron Flat
A classic day trip, with straightforward access, amazing views and just enough rapids to keep intermediate packrafters entertained but not terrified. Needs a bit of rain to bring out the best in it. View Larger Topographic Map Jetboats Be aware that Wanaka River Journeys (as well as recreational jet boaters) regularly operate on the Matukituki River. These…
Murchison River (II/III+) and Tasman Lake via Onslow Hut
An off-trail adventure up the seldom visited Murchison Valley, among NZ’s highest peaks and glacial valleys. This trip involves considerable route finding skill, especially amongst the moraine features of the valley. As the Glaciers continue to recede, this trip may become more difficult, or even impossible. This trip is suitable for parties with experience around…
Wanganui River (III/V) from Hunters Hut
Another wild west coast valley and river, with rough tracks, a great hut and magnificent scenery. This trip page is for inspiration only, and is collated by the editor of this site from many sources of information. These are cited in the text below. Featured image is credit to Dulkara Martig. View Larger Topographic Map…
Hopkins River (I-II) from Dodger Hut to Ram Hill 2WD carpark
A large beautiful valley with a plethora of huts. Lots of tramping, climbing and hunting opportunities. The packrafting is generally very easy in normal flows, down a wide braided river. Very easy access, you can even get a 4wd up the valley! Good beginners trip. This trip page is intended for inspiration only, and is…
Ngaruroro River (II-IV) Kuripapango to Whanawhana
This section does not have any huts, so any packrafters would need to take camping gear. Quite a popular run with local Kayak clubs. No walking required, but a few options for side trips. There’s more information and links to other photos and trip reports on the Ngaruroro Kuripapango to Whanawhana on Rivers.org.nz webpage. View…
Ngaruroro River (II+/III) Boyd Hut to Kuripapango
The Ngaruroro is one of the great wild rivers in the north island, suitable for long, relatively easy packraft trips through fantastic scenery. There are countless options for making this trip long or short, with a helicopter or fixed wing flight to the start, a car shuttle and a through trip or even doing loop…
Wilkin River (I+) from Kerin Forks Hut
A mellow out and back trip to a neat hut, with options for side trips or as a starting point for bigger adventures. There’s some good fishing up around the Hut. There’s a little bit of class II further up the Wilkin Valley, but it quickly gets very steep with huge boulder gardens (class IV-V)….
West Matukituki River (II/-IV) above Raspberry Flat
Out and back trip with a chill middle section and challenging upper/lower sections for the keen ones.
Copland River (III/-IV) from Architect Creek Hut
Classic west coast packrafting, with the option of a side trip to the hot pools.
Dart River (I/II) from Daley’s Flat Hut
A great overnight trip, to explore a newly formed lake. Some fun, easy paddling in a gorgeous valley. View Larger Topographic Map Jetboats Be aware that Dart River Safaris commercial Jetboats can travel as far as Slip Stream. Read the Jetboat courtesy code, and give them a call before you head out! The Dart Track Currently…