Experience the thrill of one of New Zealand’s best whitewater rafting trips on the Wairoa River near Tauranga – it’s the ultimate full on grade 5 rafting trip.
The Waiora River, which flows out of the Kaimai Ranges into the Bay of Plenty, is a whitewater mecca. In the 1970’s the river was earmarked for hydro electricity and the river was dammed. But due to the intense opposition by the Kaimai Canoe Club a compromise was arrived and the dam would release water 26 days a year to bring the river back to it’s white water mecca status. So, on 26 Sundays a year this occurs and the rafting is nothing short of grade 5 epic-ness.
This is one of the most technical commercial rafting trips in the country so is not recommended for non swimmers and is graded grade 5.
This fantastic rafting adventure offers a stunning rock and tree lined gorge that combines turbulent rapids with exciting drops to produce top whitewater action. There’s no better way to experience New Zealand rivers than this epic rafting adventure.
Why is this Chuffed Worthy?
The writer (James from Chuffed) experienced this rafting trip over 20 years ago and the thrill, excitement and pure joy of this trip is well etched in the memory. With rapids called Mothers Nightmare, The Rollercoaster and Devils Cauldron, you get the idea. This is a very experienced rafting operator having run trips down the Wairoa river for over 25 years.
