Multi-day · Waiau-Toa / Clarence
Waiau-Toa / Clarence River 5 Day Journey
Five days following the Clarence from the Canterbury high country all the way to the Pacific - a true wilderness river journey, gentle Grade 2 water, four nights under canvas.
Where You'll Be
The Waiau-Toa / Clarence rises in the St James Range and runs 230 kilometres to the Pacific near Kaikōura, through some of the most remote country in the South Island. Over five days we cover about 170 kilometres of it, dropping from 700 metres down to sea level - past the vast tussock lands of Molesworth Station, through stunning gorges and open braided reaches, and out between the Inland and Seaward Kaikōura ranges. Vehicle access is extremely limited, which is exactly what makes this a genuine wilderness journey.
- Duration5 days, 4 nights
- GradeGrade 2 (a river journey, not full on white water)
- Minimum age7 years
- Price$2100 Adult
$1700 Child (7–18 yrs) - LocationWaiau-Toa / Clarence River, from near Hanmer Springs to the Kaikōura coast
- Pick-up9:00am Hanmer Springs, or 7:30am Reefton
The Experience
This is the big one - five days and 170 kilometres of river, from high-country tussock all the way to the sea. The Clarence is Grade 2, which means fun waves and rapids in places but much of the river fairly flat and gentle: the emphasis is on the journey, not full-on white water. That makes it a wilderness trip almost anyone can do, with days to settle into the rhythm of the river and the camp.
Day by Day
Five days on the water, four nights camped on the river's edge - here's how the journey unfolds. Open a day for the full run-down.
Day One - Over Jack's Pass
We meet in Hanmer Springs to park your vehicles and load the gear, then drive about 45 minutes to the river over Jack's Pass. We put in where the Acheron joins the Clarence: transfer your camp clothes into the big dry bags we provide, pull on the river gear, and take in a full safety briefing - no experience needed, the guides teach you everything first. For the first day and a half the left bank is all Molesworth Station, New Zealand's largest farm at 180,787 hectares. After lunch we enter the first gorge, the river narrowing between steep walls, with some fun rapids including 'the shoot'. We reach camp in the mid-to-late afternoon; the billy goes on, tents go up, and dinner cooks over the open fire.
Highlights: The Acheron Confluence · Molesworth Station · The First Gorge · The Shoot
Day Two - Observatory Point
An average day starts with a 7am wake-up and off the water around 9. The morning runs past large scree-scarred mountains and tussock lands - you'll paddle at times to keep moving through the pools, with plenty of time to sit back and take in the views. In the afternoon we enter another gorge and work around Observatory Point, where fascinating rock formations tower over the river. The valley then opens out towards Quail Flat, where we make our second camp - the exact spot depends on the weather, and on whether we want somewhere flat enough for a game of frisbee.
Highlights: Scree-scarred Mountains · Tussock Pools · Observatory Point · Quail Flat
Day Three - The Longest Day
Day three tends to be the longest on the river, and mostly open landscapes - a good day to look up and pick out the mountains in the distance. If the skies clear you might see Tāpuae-o-Uenuku, at 2,885m the highest peak in New Zealand outside the Southern Alps, and one of Sir Edmund Hillary's early climbs. Today we also raft past a massive slip from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, which briefly dammed the river before bursting to leave a new rapid, then enter the third gorge. We camp in manuka country tonight - the wood makes great coals for the camp oven, which usually means something yummy for dessert.
Highlights: Tāpuae-o-Uenuku (2,885m) · The Earthquake Slip & New Rapid · The Third Gorge · Manuka Camp
Day Four - Jawbreaker
An enjoyable day of lots of really entertaining Grade 2 rapids. We start with one called Jawbreaker - not the most apt name, since it's simply a super-fun wave train and you'd have to be very unlucky to come to any harm on it. Today we reach the most northern point of the Clarence, where the river turns southeast and runs on toward the ocean, about six hours further downstream. By now you'll be experts at pitching camp; we spend the final night of the journey around another toasty fire.
Highlights: Jawbreaker Wave Train · The Northern Bend · The Final Riverbank Camp
Day Five - Out to the Sea
The last day. In the morning we can stop for a closer look at a stand of beautiful matai trees on the bank before carrying on downstream. As we near the coast the mountains fall away and the first few seagulls appear. We normally reach the end of the journey around 1pm - leaving plenty of time to head back to Hanmer Springs, collect your vehicles, and carry on to wherever you're going next.
Highlights: The Matai Stand · The River Mouth · A 1pm Finish
Camping, Food & Gear
Each night we pick a campsite with stunning views. While we get the food on, you can swim, go for a walk, try your luck with a fishing rod, chat with the guides, or just sit back and take it in. All meals are included - five lunches, four hearty campfire dinners, and breakfast every morning. Through the day we stop regularly to stretch your legs and, just as importantly, to fuel up with a cup of tea or coffee.
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: anyone who wants a genuine multi-day wilderness journey - the scenery and the river days matter more here than big white water.
- Activity level: moderate over five days - gentle water, but you'll paddle to keep moving, and camp life is part of the deal.
- Experience: none needed; a full safety and paddle briefing comes first, and the guides teach you as you go.
- Age: 7 years and up.
- Shorter journey? The Waimakariri 2 Day is a great introduction to multi-day rafting, and the Grey or Waiau trips pack more white water into fewer days.
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.
"A classic New Zealand journey"
Joey - River Guide
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