Multi-day · Upper Waiau / Waiau-uha
Waiau Raft 2 Day Adventure
An overnight journey through the Canterbury high country - rocky gorges, towering mountains, fun Grade 2–3 rapids, and a trip you help design. No experience needed.
Where You'll Be
The Upper Waiau / Waiau-uha runs through the Canterbury high country near Hanmer Springs - tussock valleys, narrow rocky gorges, towering mountains and pure clean water. We reach the river through the lush Magdalen Valley, part of Glenhope Station, a working high-country farm. Over two days you'll run entertaining rapids, spend a night out in the valley, and finish through a gorge that has everything. It suits anyone comfortable with a full, active day outdoors - first-timers included.
- Duration2 days, 1 night
- GradeGrade 3
- Minimum age10 years
- PricePriced on enquiry price depends on options chosen
- LocationUpper Waiau River / Waiau-uha near Hanmer Springs
- Pick-up10:00am Boyle Village or Hanmer Springs
The Experience
This is the trip you help design. You choose how you get to the river - four-wheel drive, mountain bike or helicopter - and whether you spend the night in a cosy cabin on Glenhope Station with views down the valley, or camped on the riverbank. What doesn't change is the rafting: entertaining rapids through a rugged gorge, a wide valley under towering mountains, and a second-day gorge with steep rocky walls, tall waterfalls and exciting Grade 3 water. More about the Upper Waiau / Waiau-uha →
Day by Day
Two days on the water, a night in the high country - here's how the journey unfolds. Open a day for the full run-down.
Day One - Into the Magdalen Valley
We meet at 10:00am and travel in through the lush Magdalen Valley, part of Glenhope Station - a working high-country farm with stunning landscapes. How you get there is up to you: four-wheel drive, mountain bike, or helicopter. After lunch beside the Waiau-uha it's time to get ready to raft: into the river gear, a full safety briefing, and away downstream. The first day runs through a variety of spectacular landscapes, starting with entertaining rapids through a rugged gorge before the river opens out into a wide valley with an amazing backdrop of towering mountains. For the night, choose a cosy cabin on Glenhope Station with views down the valley, or camp by the river - either way there's a delicious meal and time to relax, swim or fish.
Highlights: Magdalen Valley Approach · Rugged-gorge Rapids · Wide Valley · Cabin or Riverbank Camp
Day Two - The Gorge
The second day is the gorge, and it has it all: steep rocky walls, tall waterfalls, pockets of green bush and exciting Grade 3 rapids. We're normally back in Hanmer Springs by mid-afternoon - plenty of time to drive on to Christchurch or over to the West Coast.
Highlights: Steep Rocky Walls · Tall Waterfalls · Grade 3 Rapids · Mid-afternoon Finish
Camping, Food & Gear
Your night out is your choice - a cosy cabin on Glenhope Station with views over the valley, or a campsite on the river's edge. Either way there's a delicious meal and time in the evening to relax, swim, fish or just take it in. All meals are included - two lunches, dinner, and breakfast in the morning.
More on Camping & Food
We carry and set up all the camping gear - tent and mattress included; a sleeping bag can be hired for $40 if you'd rather travel light. Some on-river snacks are supplied, but bring your own favourites too. Have special dietary needs or strong preferences? Let us know in advance and we'll sort it. You're welcome to bring wine or beer for the evening at camp - cans or plastic bottles please, no glass.
What We Supply
- Helmet
- Life jacket
- Wetsuit
- Splash jacket
- Thermal top
- Wetsuit socks
- Tent
- Sleeping mat
- Small dry bag for sunscreen etc
- Big dry bag for camping gear etc
We carry everything with us on the rafts so make sure you have enough clothing to keep warm but please don't pack the kitchen sink!
What to Bring
For Camping
- Sleeping bag (supplied on request, $40 hire fee)
- Pants
- Warm top layer i.e. Fleece jersey
- Warm under layer i.e. Thermal
- T-shirt
- Underwear (enough to last the trip)
- Warm hat
- Raincoat
- Small torch
- Shoes and socks
- Towel
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries
For the River
- Swimwear (two piece for ladies, as one piece is hard to go to the toilet in) or underwear for under the wetsuit
- Thermal top (if you have one)
- Old running shoes (separate pair from your camp shoes)
- Sunscreen, sun hut, sun glasses
- Personal medication i.e. asthma inhaler, epi pens
Don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure!
Is this trip right for me?
- Best for: groups who want an overnighter they can shape themselves - how you get in, and where you sleep.
- Activity level: moderate - a full, active day on the water, but our guides do the hard reading of the river.
- Experience: none needed; a full safety and paddle briefing comes first.
- Age: 10 years and up.
- Want more? The Waiau 3 Day steps up to Grade 3–4 and our most challenging water, or try the Grey 2 Day for a West Coast beech-forest river.
Safety
Your safety is our priority. Inland Adventures operates under a Department of Conservation concession and complies with the WorkSafe Adventure Activities Regulations, audited annually by AdventureMark. Every trip begins with a comprehensive safety and paddle briefing, and our guides look after you on the water and at camp.
"Camping with a slice of home."
Rata - River Guide
