2 Day Mokihinui

Mokihinui 2 Day Heli-Rafting
Only available October-December with high river flows

Enjoying the absolutely stunning scenery on one of the longest helicopter flights the West Coast has to offer we arrive at the rafting start point. Tumbling from the mountains and the Thousand Acre plateau, the Mokihinui River carves though impressive bedrock canyons and sub-tropical rain forest as it rushes to the Tasman Sea.

This river run is best from October through till December in medium to high flows.

Only recently discovered as a rafting river, a pioneering expedition on the north branch of this river in the spring of 1998 produced a classic trip.  From the put- in the Mokihinui North Branch the river is steep and ‘creeky‘, with long technical rapids containing chutes, slides and drop off’s up to 3 metres, along with plenty of ‘boof’ moves and holes to keep the kayakers busy.  The action is non-stop. Rapids lead into rapids, with the longest pool all day only 400 metres!

Reaching a sandy beach near the end of the gorge we unpack our expedition gear and set up camp on a mossy terrace above the rivers edge.  Soon the campfire is roaring and we settle in for an evening of fine food and relaxation before drifting off to sleep to the sound of the river.

A hearty breakfast sets us on our way for day 2 on the Mokihinui.  With all camping gear secured on the rafts we head off down the remaining drops in the gorge and on to the confluence with the south branch of the Mokihinui.  From here the river takes on a bigger volume feel, plunging through a series of earthquake slip rapids before the gradient eases and the river snakes its way out to the coast through many fun rapids with play spots too numerous to mention.

Complete with helicopter flight and 2 days of New Zealand’s finest white water, this West Coast gem is a must for white water rafting and kayaking enthusiasts alike.

Click here for gear requirements you need to bring on our wilderness trips.

Check out the Heli Rafting Gallery for pictures.