What is the minimum age for this rafting trip?

Participants must be at least 10 years old to join the Hurunui White Water trip.

Is previous rafting experience required?

No prior experience is needed; guides provide safety briefings and instruction throughout the day.

Are meals included during the trip?

Meals are not included, but there is time for a break where you can bring snacks or enjoy local food nearby.

What happens if the river conditions are unsafe?

Trips may be rescheduled or modified if river conditions pose a safety risk; the company prioritizes your safety.

Do I need to bring my own gear?

All necessary rafting gear is provided, including helmets, wetsuits (seasonal), life jackets, and paddles.

Can I store personal items during the rafting trip?

Personal items can be stored safely at the base; it’s recommended to leave valuables behind.

Thrilling Hurunui River Rafting with Southern White Water | Water Activities

Southern White Water delivers an adrenaline-packed day on the Hurunui River, a compelling destination tucked within New Zealand’s Canterbury region. Originating near Lake Sumner Forest Park, the Hurunui River courses through rugged gorges and open stretches, offering a dynamic mix of white water thrills and scenic relief. This rafting experience stands out for its balanced combination of lively rapids and stretches of calmer flow, making it accessible yet exciting for groups, families, and even work functions.

Launching daily from their base in Kaiapoi, Southern White Water’s Hurunui White Water trip sets off early, driving about 90 minutes to meet the river. Upon arrival, guests receive expert gear and safety briefings before the real adventure begins. The river’s character quickly reveals itself at rapids like “Simons Hole” and “The Cattlestop”—named features known locally for their challenging waves and swift currents. These rapids test paddlers’ skills while offering moments of pure exhilaration.

What elevates this trip is the variety within the river’s course. Sections like the “Wind Tunnel” provide a welcome change of pace with gentler riffles and occasional water spouts, perfect for catching your breath and taking in the surrounding native bush and towering rock walls. The lower gorge’s “Chutes” section impresses with narrow passes and striking cliffs that frame the rapids, creating a natural amphitheater for your rafting journey.

Beyond the river, the route back passes private farmland where you might glimpse Clydesdale cross horses wandering—a unique local touch connecting this wild adventure to the region’s rural roots. Southern White Water crafts a full-day outing that blends physical challenge, natural beauty, and group camaraderie, firmly planting the Hurunui River on the map for white water enthusiasts seeking genuine New Zealand river thrills.