Waipori / No.4 Powerstation to Waipori Falls road bridge, II
The Waipori River drains Lake Mahinerangi and flows down through a series of dams to join the Taieri River on the Taieri Plains near Dunedin. When water is released in the upper stretches of the river, it creates steep, technical water in an attractive gorge surrounded by native bush. For the trip to be possible, the hydro company has to be spilling water from its No. 3 Dam, or when there has been heavy rain.
The river can easily be split into three different sections or run together, whatever you want, or are capable of.
The third and lower section is a pleasant beginner's trip of mostly class II with one short class III rapid, The Cascade. Take out at the road bridge.
To get to the take-out from Dunedin, drive south along SH1 to the Taieri River bridge. Continue for about 4km and turn right onto the Henley-Berwick road. From Berwick (about 5km), follow signs towards Waipori Falls. A gravel road leads up the valley to the road bridge.
To get to the put-in, continue for about 2 - 3km. Look for the entrance to a camping area on the right, on a sweeping left hand bend.
