Experience the thrill of rafting emerald waters and abseiling a towering cliff in Waiohine Gorge. Wellington WhiteWater Adventures offers a day packed with excitement and stunning scenery.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness required to comfortably raft for 2.5 hours and complete a 30-meter abseil.
Wildlife
History
The Waiohine gorge area holds significance for local Māori as part of traditional travel routes and natural resource gathering.
Conservation
Wellington WhiteWater Adventures emphasizes Leave No Trace principles, working with regional conservation groups to protect the river’s delicate ecosystem.
Wellington WhiteWater Adventures
Experience the thrill of rafting emerald waters and abseiling a towering cliff in Waiohine Gorge. Wellington WhiteWater Adventures offers a day packed with excitement and stunning scenery.
Wellington WhiteWater Adventures is an Upper Hutt–based adventure operator offering guided river and canyon experiences close to Wellington city. The company runs a range of activities including whitewater rafting on Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River and Waiohine Gorge, duckie tours, canyoning in the Little Akatarawa, electric mountain biking combined with river trips, and helicopter-access wilderness rafting.
Tours include entry-level canyoning trips with waterfall abseils and zip lines, family-friendly scenic floats and grade 2 rafting, plus longer wilderness-grade duckie and grade 3 rafting options. Several full-day packages combine activities—examples include the Ropes and Rivers Tour (canyoning and kayaking with a catered lunch) and Bikes, Boats and Brews (e-bike riding, rafting and a riverside meal). A helicopter-access option provides remote entry to Waiohine Gorge for an extended day on the river.
Guides are positioned as experienced river and canyon professionals who lead trips across a range of difficulty levels and terrain. Trips explicitly offer catered lunches on multiple tours and high-quality photos on select full-day adventures. Wellington WhiteWater Adventures operates from Upper Hutt, Wellington, and runs activities in nearby locations such as the Little Akatarawa Canyon, Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River and Waiohine Gorge. The operator provides options suited to families, groups, team-building and adrenaline-seeking visitors, with trip lengths that range from two-hour scenic floats to multi-hour wilderness outings.
Location
Upper Hutt, Wellington
Base close to Wellington city
Tours Offered
13 tours
Rafting, canyoning, bike and helicopter trips
Durations
2–5 hours & full-day
Half-day and full-day options available
Family Options
Family-friendly tours
Gentle rapids and scenic floats available
Secure a spot on rafting, canyoning, duckie or e-bike tours — limited availability for helicopter-access and wilderness trips.
Wear sturdy water shoes
Old running shoes with good grip are essential for both rafting and safely navigating slippery spots during the abseil.
Bring a quick-dry change of clothes
After rafting, having dry clothes and a towel helps you stay comfortable for the abseil and lunch break.
Arrive early for safety briefing
Timely arrival ensures you won’t miss the detailed instruction that makes the abseiling portion safe and enjoyable.
Prepare for moderate physical activity
Both rafting and abseiling require stamina and confidence; light to moderate fitness will enhance your experience.
Old running shoes
Provides necessary grip for wet, rocky surfaces during rafting and abseiling.
Swimwear
Comfortable and quick-drying swimwear is essential for rafting.
summer
Towel
Useful for drying off before lunch and the abseil.
Waterproof jacket
Protects against chills and occasional rain showers common in the region.
spring|fall|winter