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Mararoa / South Mavora Lakes to Kiwi Burn, II-III

Wed, 2007-10-17 19:25 — Glenn
0
Mararoa
Info
Portage?: 
No
Class: 
II-III
Level: 
Above average flows
Gauge: 
Visual, and Southland Times fishing levels; anything more than low and clear
Length: 
6.5km
Gradient: 
8m/km
Time: 
1-2 hours
Put in: 
The first swingbridge at South Mavora Lakes
Take out: 
Kiwi Burn swingbridge
Shuttle: 
5.5 km
Maps: 
E42, D43
Character: 
Scenic, single braid, small gorges
Hot tip: 
Go for the weekend, take your mountain bike
The Mararoa flows from the two Mavora Lakes between Lake Te Anau and Lake Wakatipu and empties into the Waiau River. It is a beautiful area and the river trip no less. Camping at the lakes is stunning and I suggest taking mountain bikes for exploring further up the valley.

From the put-in at the lake it's a fantastic float alongside honey-dew beech forest and through clear pools where trout cruise beneath underwater ledges. The forest gives way to a short gorge as the rapids pick up, climaxing with three drops. Rumour has it that these can get to class IV in very high flows, but in anything other than a big flood they are class III. The rapids settle as the gorge eases and the river breaks into farmland down to the next short gorge under the Kiwi Burn swingbridge. This small section is used often for beginner teaching sessions and novice slalom races. Take out and walk up the track to the carpark.

To get to the put-in: turn off SH93 (between Lumsden and Te Anau) at signs to Mavora Lakes. Twenty six kilometres of gravel road takes you to the lakes and camping areas. Park near the the first swingbridge and put in.

To get to the take-out: drive about 5.5km down the valley and look for a DOC sign on the left side, opposite a gate, indicating access to the Kiwi Burn area via a swingbridge. Head down a farm track for 800m to the parking area near the bridge.

Fill: 
89%
NZ Whitewater 4th Edition 2006: 
p265
Credits: 
Graham Charles

This section appears in New Zealand Whitewater, 4th edition, 2006 on p265.

New Zealand Whitewater, 4th edition, 2006
No incidents reported.

Disclaimer

Canoeing and kayaking are activities with inherent risks. Whitewater NZ takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this guide, nor for any risks or dangers that canoeists or kayakers may encounter. Any users should fully research the current river conditions and ensure they are fully equipped and have the appropriate skills, before embarking on any river trip, per Whitewater NZ Code of Practice. While every effort is made to ensure that details are correct, it is possible that this information is no longer accurate. If you find discrepancies or errors, please let us know at guide@rivers.org.nz.