Rafting & Funyaking
The mystical Mohaka river begins its journey in the forests close to Lake Taupo and winds its way out to the coast in Hawke's Bay. Mountain Valley, situated right beside the river amongst its most dramatic stretches, is ideally placed as a base from which to embark on a wide variety of river activities.
* Some minimum numbers may apply on rafting trips
* Lunch can be supplied on full day activities at a cost of $10.00 per person.
Rafting Options:
|
1 hour fun run Grade 1 & 2: |
$60 |
Heritage and scenic river rafting
- Take the kids on a great introduction to river rafting
- Relax and let the current do the work on the long gentle stretches
- Have some fun and swim the rapids
- Breathe the clean Kiwi air and soak up the landscapes
Take a gentle Grade I/II river journey lasting from 1 hour to a full day. These are perfect for young families and for those who want
to just relax and soak up the scenery, wildlife and heritage of the river and its environment.
Our introductory 1 hour raft trip begins from Mountain Valley and winds its way through small, fun rapids past the property before entering the bush and forest landscapes of the Mohaka Valley. The journey ends at the picturesque Pungahuru falls, a great spot for that scenic snap, before a short 10-minute drive back to Mountain Valley.
Our longer two-hour trip ventures further into the gorges and wilderness of the Mohaka Valley, and an area steeped in Maori history and legend. Our guides have spent most of their lives rafting, kayaking, fishing and living in the bush on this stretch of the river. As such, they take great pride in recounting the legends and history of the region, and in pointing out the native flora and fauna of this remarkable river system. This trip passes under the towering viaduct of the State Highway bridge, before heading into an area of vertical cliffs and gorges marking the entry to remote farming and bush country. The journey ends on the grassy banks of the Glen Falls reserve, where the shuttle transport awaits your arrival prior to the twenty minute transfer back to Mountain Valley.
If you would like a longer expedition, why not take our three hour trip which combines both the one and two hour options, or opt for our all day wilderness raft trip described below?
All Day Wilderness Raft
Sit back for a scenic drive to the remotest stretches of the Mohaka- See the mighty Kaweka mountains up close and personal
- Experience a full day when you are unlikely to see another soul
- Paddle pristine waters rarely visited by mankind
- Seek out the native birds and wild pigs, goats and deer of the river
- End up at Mountain Valley for a drink and dinner if the fancy takes you
- And put the mobile away - where you're going, there ain't no coverage!
This wonderful day long escape from the world travels by road deep into the Hawke's Bay hinterland on the edge of the Kaweka Mountains. Here you embark on a unique journey only accessible by river along some 20kms of pristine Grade II water.
A leisurely stop for lunch on the banks gives you a chance to revel in the true remoteness of this experience amongst the bush and wildlife of New Zealand.
Your journey ends at a grassy flat at Mountain Valley where you can choose to round off your day with a hot shower, some dinner and a bottle of world renowned Hawke's Bay wine before staying with us for the night or continuing your journey.
White water rafting
Grab your chance to raft the finest section of 'wild and scenic' rapids in New Zealand- Get a group together for an exclusive adventure to yourselves
- Explore an abandoned mine shaft beside the river
- Conquer renowned rapids such as Dog Leg, Shark's Fin and the Te Hoe drop
- Leap off rock ledges into deep pools in vertical sided gorges
- Swim and soak up the peace of the bush
Looking for the best of the Mohaka's white water? Currently our rafting centrepiece, take our all day trip on the Mohaka which runs some 20kms of truly remote bush and mountain country, with roughly ten Grade III rapids en route.
This exciting trip is for you if you have a real sense of adventure, since it is physically demanding and the river can be unpredictable in its mood according to the weather conditions and levels of flow. Setting off from the raft base at Mountain Valley, the half hour drive to a remarkable feature known as the organs, a rock formation shaped like organ pipes, sees the start point for the river adventure. The first stages of the journey are relatively gentle, and offer a great opportunity to get to know your guide, the boat, and to hone key skills before getting into the real stuff! You will also make a stop at an abandoned copper mine and pick your way via an abandoned shaft deep into the black recesses of the cliff face. The scenery is outstanding, and some of the views of the mountains and forests are enough to take your breath away.
Once in the rapids, however, there is little opportunity to enjoy the view – since strong teamwork and paddling is a pre-requisite to a successful raft trip on this stretch of water. Your guide, who has spent many year on this stretch of river, will practise the various drills with you before entering the rapids to reduce the risk of capsize or 'flips' as they are known, and demonstrate what to do if you and the raft do part company for whatever reason.
At a wide and gentle stretch of the river is the stop for a packed lunch prepared for you by the Mountain Valley catering team, and a boost of energy before negotiating the locally renowned Te Hoe drop rapid.
The final stretch of the river is again, relatively gentle, and gives you the chance for a swim and a 'cliff jump', launching yourself into the river from a ledge carved into the river's edge.
The pick up point is overshadowed by the towering peak named Te Kooti's lookout after the legendary Maori warrior who took his stand here during the colonial wars of early settler New Zealand.
The drive back to Mountain Valley takes approximately an hour, which offers a chance to relax, swop stories, or grab forty winks before arriving back at base.
Funyaking
Funyaking Options:
|
1 hour fun run Grade 1 & 2: |
$60 |
For smaller groups or families, all of our Grade I & II trips are also available in kayaks. Using 2-person inflatables, these great river craft are easy to handle and fun to paddle.
The one hour fun run begins at Mountain Valley and winds its way downstream to the Pungahuru Falls. Ideal for a family outing, and as an introduction to river expeditions.
Our two hour, three hour and all day trips are more demanding due to the longer distance involved, and are great for folk seeking a little more independence on the river than that experienced as part of a larger raft crew.
NEW! Waipunga River Kayak Adventure
- Be a trailblazer - Take a pioneering trip on the remote and challenging Waipunga river
- Be amongst the first visitors to kayak the full on twists and turns of our newest stretch of river
- Test your skills in the Grade 2+ rock gardens & rapids
- Dodge, duck and weave as you thread your way along narrow channels under willows and through stunning native bush
Here it is! An all new half day kayak adventure on the Waipunga river, little brother to the Mohaka.
This trip is great for smallgroups of up to 12 people using our two person inflatables. Sit back for an easy half hour shuttle to the pull in off the main highway right next to the river. Then slip and slide your way down to the water with your kayak, before setting off almost immediately into the first of a multitude of rapids on your way downriver.
We recommend this as an alternative to our all day Grade 3 white water rafting trip if you are short on time, and can only spare half a day. Take out at a picnic area close to the local village of Tarawera before the 20 minute drive back to Mountain Valley.
Price:
|
2 hour kayak adventure - Min 2, Max 8 people: |
$130 |
