Access Guide

Full details on the Hokitika Gorge Thrill-Seeker's Tour and Wilderness Trail Chill-Seeker's Tour can be found on the linked pages.  This includes photos and videos of both activity sites along with timings, meeting points and what to expect throughout the tour.

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Packrafting as a sport involves sitting in an inflatable kayak (individual or tandem) and using a double-bladed paddle to propel the boat forward and control its direction.  In an individual boat participants are fully in control of their own craft and guides are present in separate craft to direct and assist.  In a tandem boat the person in the rear of the boat generally has more control of the direction and steering and the person in the bow can add power.  A competent paddler/guide can control a tandem packraft without the need for the front person to paddle. At times packrafts may capsize and participants will end up swimming in the river.  In this instance guides will either help participants back into their packrafts from the water or assist them in getting to the river bank and re-entering the boat from there. 

- We have a minimum weight of 30kg and a maximum weight of 136kg which is dictated by the parameters of our equipment

- All participants must wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and Helmet, linked are the models we use.  Participants may provide their own PFD/Helmet if it meets our requirements, please consult with us before booking.

- Participants must be able to float on their back with their head above water whilst wearing a PFD 

- Full terms and conditions including fitness requirements can be found here.

Our tours are delivered in English.  We also use hand signals to communicate intentions on the water.  Understanding of one or both of these methods should enable a safe trip.​

Taramakau (Wilderness Trail Chill-Seeker's Tour):

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For our trip down the Taramakau clients meet us at Cameron's Bridge and then are shuttled up to the put-on near Kumara. We are looking at purchasing a vehicle for these shuttles before next operating season and will update this page with exact details once it has been purchased, but it will most likely be a Toyota Hiace minibus or similar.  We anticipate the shuttle vehicle to be suitable for those able to self-transfer or needing a small amount of assistance from staff.  It would be possible for participants to use their own vehicle for this shuttle as long as someone is able to drive it to the take-out or be shuttled back to get it after the activity.

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From the put-on near Kumara there is a short (~60m) rough gravel walk to the water's edge where packrafts can be launched.  Staff are able to assist clients with transfer into the packraft. The take-out involves a longer (~150m) walk across a rough riverbed and up a ~10m elevation hill to the car park.  Staff are able to assist clients across this stretch but

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Hokitika (Hokitika Gorge Thrill-Seeker's Tour)

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For our Hokitika Trips clients can choose to meet us at the Hokitika Gorge Car Park or be picked up from Hokitika Township and driven out to the gorge.  We are looking at purchasing a vehicle for these pick-ups before next operating season and will update this page with exact details once it has been purchased, but it will most likely be a Toyota Hiace minibus or similar.  We anticipate the shuttle vehicle to be suitable for those able to self-transfer or needing a small amount of assistance from staff.