moderate
2 days (4–5 hour hike + 5 hour rafting)
Suitable for individuals with good cardiovascular fitness and endurance to manage all-day hiking and rafting activities.
Tackle New Zealand’s wild heart with Wellington WhiteWater Adventures’ 2-day team-building trip. Hike ancient forest, overnight by the Waiohine River, then raft thrilling rapids.
Ages 8+ • 2 Days • Wairarapa
Embark on an unforgettable team-building adventure with a scenic 4–5-hour hike through New Zealand's pristine native forest, culminating in an overnight stay at Totara flats. Enjoy expertly prepared meals, thrilling river rapids, and breathtaking landscapes, all while creating lasting memories with your team. This experience is truly a bucket-list journey!
We begin the day meeting at the Waiohine gorge road end where we start our 4–5-hour hike into Totara flats of the Waiohine river, Wairarapa. You will be accompanied on your walk with one of our knowledgeable and friendly staff members taking you through pristine native New Zealand forest sharing the interest of this amazing place. We break up the walk with a nice lunch stop next to the river then carry on to arrive at Totara flats hut where our trusty helicopter pilot will have dropped all the river equipment, food and sleeping gear for the overnight stay and the river journey the following day. You will be pampered with delicious food all prepared by our staff for you to sit back and take in the serenity of the Tararuas. The following day breakfast is once again prepared by staff, boats are pumped and we then travel down 17 kilometers of beautiful scenic native wilderness river stopping for a catered lunch spread riverside, the river section is full of exciting grade 2+ rapids, spectacular cascading waterfalls, emerald, green water and amazing rock jumps. This is an adventure, one to remember and one to tick off a few things on the bucket list. We provide high quality photos of the tour and have you transported back to your vehicles at the end of the trip.
There is a flat rate of $1750.00 for helicopter access gear drop + gear, food preparation and transportation.
The hiking trail winds through uneven native forest ground; sturdy hiking boots are a must to navigate roots and rock.
Bring a refillable water bottle for the rafting day—active time under the sun demands constant hydration.
Weather can shift quickly in the Tararuas—moisture-wicking base layers and waterproof gear keep you comfortable.
Choose rafting shoes or sandals with good grip to stay safe and comfortable during whitewater stretches.
The Waiohine River valley is part of traditional Māori land and features in local legends tied to the Tararua ranges’ formation.
Wellington WhiteWater Adventures practices Leave No Trace principles, supporting native forest preservation and river health through sustainable tourism.
Supportive boots protect against rocky, uneven trail conditions during the forest hike.
Keeps you dry in unpredictable weather across seasons, especially in the Tararua ranges.
spring|fall|winter specific
Light layers that dry fast are ideal for both hiking and rafting on warm days.
summer specific
Safety gear essential for navigating whitewater rapids confidently.