A high-country river day near Hanmer Springs

The Waiau Wilderness Raft is an exclusive one-day adventure into one of the South Island’s best-kept rafting secrets. This is a day of clean water, rocky gorges, mountain views, tall waterfalls, pockets of green bush and wide-open Canterbury high-country scenery.

We meet at Boyle Village, near Hanmer Springs, before travelling through the beautiful Magdalen Valley and Glenhope Station — a working high-country farm with big views and a real sense of open-country adventure.

The journey to the river is part of the experience. Depending on the option chosen for your group, access can be by four-wheel drive, mountain bike or helicopter. Once beside the river, we stop for morning tea, get into river gear, run through a full safety briefing and teach you what you need to know before launching.

What to expect on the river

This is a fun Grade 3 rafting day with plenty of wave chains, rocky sections and playful rapids. The Waiau / Waiau-uha has a very different feel from the West Coast rivers — more open, rocky and high-country, with clear water and big mountain views.

As we move downstream, the river cuts through rugged gorges with steep rock walls, tall waterfalls and pockets of green bush. In the wider valleys, the landscape opens up around us and gives the trip its big-sky Canterbury feel.

We stop for a picnic lunch beside the river and, on warm days, there are chances to swim where conditions are suitable. The trip usually returns by about 4.00pm, making it possible to head back to Hanmer Springs, Christchurch or the West Coast after the adventure.

A gentle first whitewater adventure

The Arnold Family Raft is the easiest and most family-focused rafting trip in the Inland Adventures range. It is designed especially for younger children, cautious adults and anyone who wants to try whitewater rafting without committing to a full day on the river.

The Arnold River begins at Lake Brunner and flows into the Grey River / Māwheranui near Stillwater. It is a short, scenic river close to Greymouth, with clear water, patches of native forest, willow-lined banks and friendly Grade 2 rapids that are ideal for learning.

We usually begin in Greymouth, then drive about 30 minutes to the river. Once we arrive, your guides will help everyone into their river gear, explain what to expect and give a clear safety briefing before we launch.

What to expect on the river

This is not a big, intimidating rafting day. It is a playful half-day adventure where the focus is on having fun, learning the basics and giving kids a positive first taste of whitewater.

Once on the river, your guide will show you how to paddle, how to sit safely in the raft and how to work together as a crew. The Grade 2 rapids are friendly and splashy, with enough movement to feel exciting but not too much for younger rafters.

You will spend around an hour and a half on the water. Along the way there are chances to splash through small rapids, enjoy the riverbanks, and swim where conditions and temperatures are suitable.

After rafting, everyone changes into dry clothes before enjoying a wee snack and a hot drink. It is a simple, memorable outing that fits easily into a West Coast travel day.

“It’s fun to see kids dressed up in tiny river gear taking on the waves.”

Rata, River Guide