PRANZ is heading into the Waimakariri Gorge for an overnight packrafting mission on the weekend of 21–22 February 2026. We’ll be paddling the iconic Coast to Coast river section, from Mt White Bridge to Waimak Gorge Bridge, camping out in the gorge itself. We will be meeting at the Waimak Gorge bridge to sort the shuttle up to Mt White Bridge.
This trip is best suited to Grade 2 paddlers with solid paddling endurance. Expect around 35 km per day, and roughly 4–5 hours on the water each day. Paddlers will need to be independent and have all of their own camping and packrafting gear.
Numbers are limited to 20 paddlers. The trip will, as always, be flow and weather dependent.
Huge thanks to Deane Parker and Denis Kelliher, who are organising the trip. The PackraftingTrips website also has a great overview of this stretch of river if you want to start dreaming already.
A Separate PDF with further trip details, maps and photos will follow via Email
https://www.packraftingtrips.nz/waimakarirri-gorge/
TRIP OVERVIEW
We will Meet at Waimak Gorge Bridge Ramp area at 8.30 am where we will arrange shuttles to Mt White Bridge which will be our put in point, with some cars remaining at the Waimak Gorge bridge overnight to shuttle car owners back. It’s about 1 hours drive from the gorge to Mt White, excluding a quick compulsory stop at Sheffield Pie Shop for nutrition.
At the river, we will sort into ‘Mixed ability” groups of 4-5, and have a safety briefing and trip overview for everyone. Your trip leaders will have two way radios
Day 1 should take around 4 hours, including breaks. We will camp on the true left of the river on a large bank just near or past Hamilton Rapids. This is about 5km past Hamiton Hut on the true left perched above the river (approximate location E1514460, N5221714). Total Day 1 distance is about 35 km. Paddling from Mt White bridge until past where the Esk river comes in on the true left, there are gentle braids with a few wave trains to keep things interesting. Your challenge in the upper sections potentially if river is low, will be selecting a braid with enough water so that you don’t end up “walking the dog” to find deeper water. Do try and keep together or at least maintain some visual contact. Once past the Esk river the river narrows, the hills steepen and you’re in the gorge. For the most part, the easy line will be on the inner banks with decent visibility down the river of what’s ahead.
Day 2
We’ll aim to be up and on the river by 8.30am. Day 2 Distance 37 km and time around 4.5 hours. Keep an eye out for the viaduct bridge and the TransAlpine train. We do need to be wary of jetboats on the river typically below where we camp, and more prolifically near Woodstock 15 km further down. Most jetboat drivers are considerate but try and stay together and move to one side when you hear them coming. Once everyone is at the gorge bridge we will need some shuttle drivers to take the car owners back to Mt White Bridge.
What To bring: I don’t intend to replicate “outdoor equipment” lists here, but obviously Whitewater Helmet, PFD are essential and drysuit/wetsuit and a few PLB’s/ Inreaches amongst the group. You will be camping overnight so gear you would normally take for an overnight hike is needed. We will aim to light a campfire so marshmallows welcome. Note - You can get surprisingly chilly even in summer after 4 hours on the river especially in the later shaded section of the gorge so you are forewarned. Also, if you are putting your pack on the bow of the boat ensure you have appropriate tie downs ! Feel free to bring a rod to catch protein for the group at the campsite, but be mindful of hooks and inflatables.
If you have any questions on the trip, or its suitability for you, feel free to contact Denis on 021 705751 or at
ZGVla2VyczQ0IHwgaG90bWFpbCAhIGNvbQ==. Always happy to help. If the organisers don’t know you, we may well be in touch to have a chat about your skill level and experience.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Darfield, Contests in Darfield.
