Top 7 Canyoning Tours in New Zealand

1.Queenstown Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 420 reviews · from $154Our pick

Join Canyon Explorers for a four-hour Queenstown canyoning trip with expert guides such as Jay, Lorna, Josh, and Riley. Walk through beech forest, then zip line, rappel waterfalls, slide through chutes, and float through natural pools. Gear, transport, hot showers, and light refreshments are included.

“Had the best time canyoning in Queenstown. Canyon explorers were so fun and right there every step of the way to make the experience memorable! Thanks for such a fun day!”

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2.Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 163 reviews · 4 hours · from $124

Spend four hours canyoning near Queenstown with guides such as Lorna, Tim, Jay, and Charlie. You’ll abseil waterfalls, ride zip lines, slide through chutes, jump into pools, and float through narrow passages. Equipment, transport, hot showers, and a hot drink are included. No experience is needed, but you must be fit, comfortable in water, and under 120 kg.

“excellent fun and excellent group. guides made it fun and safe. what a way to spend a morning!”

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3.Half-Day Canyoning in Gibbston Valley from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $154

Head from central Queenstown to Gibbston Valley for about two hours of guided canyoning. You will learn the basics, then scramble over rocks, traverse narrow sections, abseil waterfalls, and ride natural slides. Guides such as Dom and Brig are praised for clear safety briefings and calm encouragement. Choose a morning trip with lunch or an afternoon departure.

“This was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever done. The canyon itself is insanely beautiful, and the whole activity is the perfect mix of adventure, adrenaline, and fun. Jumping into crystal-clear water, sliding down natural rock chRead more”

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4.Gibbston Valley Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 66 reviews · from $117

Leave Queenstown for Gibbston Valley and spend four hours climbing, abseiling, swimming, sliding, and moving through a mossy canyon. No prior canyoning skills are needed, but you must be water-confident, English-speaking, and moderately fit. Guides such as Stefan and Briggs keep the pace calm and clear for first-timers.

“Awesome fun... would recommend this as a must do. Will do the full day activity when next in Queenstown”

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5.Karioi Canyoning

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 17 reviews · 4 hours · from $83Best value

Join a qualified English-speaking guide for a four-hour canyoning trip beneath Mt Karioi. You’ll wear a wetsuit, scramble through a lava-formed canyon, abseil waterfalls, hear about Māori traditions and local ecology, and receive trip photos. Groups are limited to eight, with a moderate fitness level required.

“Great afternoon out to get the kids out and have fun”

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6.Mount Aspiring Full-Day Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 14 reviews · 8 hours · from $298

Spend eight hours travelling from Queenstown or Wanaka into Mount Aspiring National Park for a guided canyoning day in Wilson Creek. You need good swimming ability, medium fitness, and clear English, but no previous canyoning experience. Guides such as Stephen and Brig lead groups of no more than five through climbs, jumps, abseils, swims, and slides.

“We loved this experience and would recommend to all! Stephen was so friendly and helpful, and we felt very comfortable with him having never canyoned before.”

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7.Sunset Canyoning Tour and Glowworm Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 10 reviews · 1 day · from $89

Join an English-speaking guide such as Ollie or Daniel for a small-group canyoning trip near Raglan. Wearing a 5mm wetsuit, you’ll abseil, climb, and scramble through a volcanic canyon as daylight fades, then pause beside glowing canyon walls for Kawakawa tea. The tour takes about three hours and suits fit participants aged 8 and up.

“Our guides were awesome! Lots of laughs and fun!!”

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