Three-day West Coast rafting adventure
Grey Wilderness Raft 3 Day Adventure
Slow down and travel deeper into the Upper Grey River / Māwheranui. This three-day West Coast rafting journey combines Grade 2 and 3 rapids, native beech forest, steep gorges, riverside camping and more time to enjoy camp, scenery and river life.
Price
$1300
Per Adult
Duration
3 Days
2 Nights
Rapids
Grade 2–3
Fun whitewater
Age
10+ years
Suitable for families
Location
Upper Grey
Near Reefton
Meals
Included
3 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfastsA slower, richer Upper Grey journey
The Grey Wilderness Raft 3 Day Adventure is for people who want to properly settle into the rhythm of the river. It follows the Upper Grey River / Māwheranui through native beech forest, rocky rapids, open valleys and steep-walled gorges, but with more time than the 2-day trip to enjoy camp, scenery and the simple pleasure of travelling by raft.
This three-day journey begins in Reefton and heads into a section of the river that is difficult, and in places impossible, to access except from the water. The river starts in a forested West Coast valley, then gradually opens and tightens again as you move through rapids, rock gardens, waterfalls and gorges.
With two nights camping beside the river, the pace feels relaxed and immersive. There is time to swim when conditions suit, sit by the fire, enjoy camp meals, watch the light change on the hills and wake up already deep in the backcountry.
“Three days gives this river time to show itself — the rapids, the camps, the gorges and the quiet bits in between.”
Inland Adventures guide note
More time on the Upper Grey / Māwheranui means more time for gorges, campfires, swimming holes, forest, mountains and the quiet moments between the rapids.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day One - Into the West Coast Backcountry
Meet in Reefton, drive to the river, gear up and begin with a forested section where beech trees come right down to the water. By evening, camp is set on the kanuka flats below the Robinson confluence.
Expand for Full Day One Details
- Meet at 10.30am in Reefton and drive for about an hour to the river.
- Transfer camp clothes into provided dry bags and change into provided river gear.
- Enjoy lunch beside the river before the afternoon’s rafting begins.
- Comprehensive safety briefing before setting off; no previous rafting experience needed.
- Practise paddle strokes in the first section, with rocks and easy rapids to manoeuvre around.
- Native beech forest comes right down to the river’s edge for the first part of the journey.
Afternoon & Evening: Log Jam and Camp
- Push through entertaining rapids, including the Log Jam.
- Guides may check whether recent floods have caused the Log Jam to live up to its name.
- Camp for the night on the kanuka flats below the Robinson confluence.
- Enjoy a meal cooked over the open fire and an evening beside the river.
Day Two - Mt Rameses, Rock Gardens and Island Camp
A relaxed breakfast is followed by a full day on the river. The valley opens with views of Mt Rameses, then tightens into the rock garden section, Lady of the Grey, Double Rock and Annie’s Waves before reaching island camp.
Expand for Full Day Two Details
- Start the day with a leisurely breakfast and load the rafts for the second leg.
- Travel through a wide open valley with Grade 2 rapids.
- Look back upstream to Mt Rameses, which towers above the valley.
- Float past farmland with long ties to the Reefton and West Coast area.
- After lunch, the hills tighten and the river becomes more playful.
Afternoon: Waterfalls, Waves and Camp
- Tackle the rock garden section surrounded by moss, beech and fern.
- Float past the tall waterfall nicknamed Lady of the Grey.
- Meet the bigger waves and rocks of the Upper Grey, including Double Rock.
- Ride Annie’s Waves, a fun wave chain that feels like a gentle roller coaster.
- Camp on a beautiful island site surrounded by beech forest.
Day Three - Gentle Annie Gorge and Return to Reefton
The final day finishes in style through Gentle Annie Gorge, a spectacular steep-walled canyon that can only be reached by travelling the river. After lunch, a short drive returns the group to Reefton.
Expand for Full Day Three Details
- Begin the day with breakfast at camp before loading the rafts.
- Set out on the final section of the journey.
- Float through Gentle Annie Gorge, one of the most memorable parts of the Upper Grey.
- Shortly after the first gorge, enter a second gorge that is equally beautiful.
- On warm days, there may be time to swim or float in the deep pools.
- Reach the take-out not long after lunch.
- Return to Reefton by mid afternoon, leaving time for onward travel.
Pick-up & Logistics
10.30am
Reefton
Mid afternoon on day three
Transport from Reefton to and from the Upper Grey River / Māwheranui
What's Included
✓ Rafting Gear
Helmets, life jackets, wetsuits, splash jacket, thermal top, wetsuit socks and dry bags for personal gear.
✓ All Meals
Three lunches, two hearty dinners and breakfast both mornings — prepared by your guides at camp.
✓ Camping Equipment
Tents and sleeping mats are supplied. Sleeping bags may be available for hire if required.
✓ Expert Guides
Experienced, qualified river guides for safety, instruction, camp setup and backcountry support.
Food and Camping
All food is supplied for the trip: three lunches, two hearty dinners and breakfast both mornings. Please let Inland Adventures know in advance about dietary requirements, allergies or strong food preferences.
Each night, your guides choose a riverside campsite with good views and a suitable place to settle in. While the guides prepare food, you can swim where conditions suit, try your luck with a fishing rod, chat by the river or simply sit back and take in the scenery.
You are welcome to bring a small amount of wine or beer for the evening at camp. If bringing beer, cans or plastic bottles are preferred rather than glass.
What to Bring
- Sleeping bag, or request hire if available
- Warm clothes for camp
- Warm hat and raincoat
- Small torch
- Shoes and socks to wear around camp
- Towel, insect repellent and toiletries
- Swimwear or underwear to wear under the wetsuit
- Thermal top if you have one
- Old running shoes for the river, separate from camp shoes
- Sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses
- Personal medication, such as an asthma inhaler or EpiPen
Everything travels with us on the rafts, so bring enough clothing to stay warm and comfortable, but keep your packing simple.
View Full Multi-day Gear List PDFIs this trip right for me?
Choose the Grey Wilderness Raft 3 Day Adventure if you like the sound of the 2-day trip, but want a slower pace and more time in the backcountry. This is the better option if camp, scenery and relaxed river travel are as important to you as the rapids.
If you are short on time, choose the Grey Wilderness Raft 2 Day Adventure. If you only have one day available, look at the Grey Wilderness Raft 1 Day Tour.
Safety and Experience
No previous rafting experience is required. Before launching, your guides will give a full safety briefing, teach paddle commands and explain how the group will move down the river together.
This is a Grade 2–3 river journey, so expect moving water, rocks, wave trains, active paddling and changing conditions. All river trips depend on river levels, weather, access and guide assessment. If conditions are unsuitable, Inland Adventures may change, postpone or cancel the trip for safety.
Ready for This Adventure?
Includes all rafting gear, meals, camping equipment and expert guides.
Cancellation Policy
If Inland Adventures cancels a raft trip for any reason, such as unsuitable river conditions, you will receive a 100% refund. A 10% trip fare fee may apply for customer cancellations outside 72 hours of departure.
Explore related trips
Client confirmation notes
- Confirm image filenames for the Grey 3 Day gallery. Paths above follow the current naming pattern but may need adjustment against the dev media folder.
- Confirm current public title: “Grey Wilderness Raft 3 Day Adventure” vs “Grey Raft 3 Day Adventure”.
- Confirm price: source material lists Adult $1300 / Child $1100, age 10–18.
- Confirm sleeping bag hire fee and availability.
- Confirm whether fishing should remain as an optional camp activity.
- Confirm cancellation wording is correct site-wide before publishing.
