Aorere / Fifteen Mile Creek to James Road bridge, II (III)

A bit like Doctor's Creek on the Buller, only more beautiful, and with 1 slightly harder bit. The harder rapid that gets towards grade 3 at times is at the end of the gorge where it opens out to farmland, and is easily seen and portaged if necessary.

15 Mile Creek to James Rd is about 9 km.
For a longer trip, of about another 7 km, you can put in a km before the Heaphy Track road-end.

At higher flows (perhaps from 100-300, but certainly in the mid 200s) there is a playwave at the junction of Bainham Creek, 2.5 km before James Rd. When working this rates up there with the best in the country. It can be hard to get the flow right so have a backup plan, eg the lower Takaka in good flow is a fantastic play-run.

Be aware that the Aorere rises further and faster than just about any river in the country, and is to be avoided in major flood.

Salisbury Creek falls has been paddled, in case you're wondering.