Packrafting Lower Waiohine Gorge Grade 2+ from Totara Flats Hut to Gorge Road 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…

Packrafting Ruamahanga River Grade 2+ Cleft Creek to Mt Bruce This is a mint little gorge that needs a bit of homework and weather watching to get the perfect packraft flow. Walking into Roaring Stag Hut and sitting out the rain is one option or you can do a day trip after watching the weather and crossing the fingers you…

Packrafting Waipakahi River from the Urchin Track Grade 2 The Waipakihi River drains the Kaimanawa Ranges on the eastern side of the desert road. Where it leaves the mountains it becomes the Tongariro River.  It is a picturesque river valley through beech forest. It has insufficient flow through the warmer months and can only be run after rainfall.

Packrafting Tairua River Grade 2 Broken Hills run: SH25A to Hikuai At the right flow, this is a great one-day trip through scenic Kauri forests in the heart of the Coromandel. It’s not well known so it doesn’t get paddled very often, but its proximity to Auckland makes it a great trip that doesn’t require heaps of driving. Most of…

Packrafting Ngaruroro River Grade 2+ 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…

Packrafting Upper Mohaka River Grade 2+ from Poronui Station to SH5 This is a neat 3-day trip which seems to exist just for packrafters… Walking access only, beautiful clear safe river through steep native bush, trout, plentiful wilderness camping options, easy hitchhiking options, and oh yeah… 2 amazing HOT-SPRINGS! River is 99% Gr2, but Sphincter rapid (portagable) is a Gr3….

Packrafting Mohaka River McVicars to Everetts Grade 2 A great introduction to packrafting can be had by camping at Glenfalls on the Napier Taupo Road (SH5) and running the easy Class I /II section. On the subsequent days the Glenfalls to Everetts run steps up the difficulty to Class II. It’s got a consistent flow right through the year and…

Packrafting Whakatane River Grade 2 This is a great two to four day wilderness trip through Te Urewera as described by Stu Bilby. It is suitable for paddlers with basic skills. A choice of huts or great camping each night, wild horses, beautiful forests, striking history and Tuhoe culture. Good hunting, fishing and swimming. This is a traditional canoe route…

Packrafting Raukokore River Grade 2 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. The paddle from Te Kumi bridge starts with a 1 hour braided section to the Raukokore…