The landscapes of the Canterbury High Country are simply breathtaking. Fun grade 2 and 3 rapids, stunning rocky gorges, towering mountains and options to design your own trip make this an awesome 2 day journey. We work with Glenhope Station on this trip.
Cost: Price dependent on options choosen
Location: Upper Waiau River, near Hanmer Springs
Duration: 2 days
River Grade: 3
Pick-up: Hanmer Springs
Age suitability: 10 years +
Food supplied: 2 lunches, dinner, breakfast
Equipment: All rafting and camping equipment supplied
Camping with a slice of home. Rata [River Guide]
Design a unique trip to suit your group.
To access the Upper Waiau River we travel through the lush Magdalen Valley which is part of the Glenhope Station, a working high country farm with stunning landscapes. You can choose how to get to the river: four wheel drive, mountain bike or helicopter.
After lunch beside the Waiau-uha it’s time to get ready to raft. We get into our river gear and listen to a safety briefing before setting off on our adventure downstream.
During the first day we will raft through a variety of spectacular landscapes, beginning with entertaining rapids that flow through a rugged East Coast gorge. Toward the end of the day the river opens up into a wide valley with an amazing backdrop of towering mountains.
Choose between a cozy cabin on Glenhope Station with with stunning views of the valley or camping by the river for the night. Both options come with a delicious meal and time in the evening to relax, swim or fish.
The second day sees us raft a beautiful gorge that has it all; steep rocky walls, tall waterfalls, pockets of green bush and exciting Grade 3 rapids. We are normally back in Hanmer Springs by mid afternoon so there is plenty of time to drive back to Christchurch or to the West Coast.