Clarence River Rafting

Clarence River Rafting Experience New Zealand's superb alpine scenery while rafting the historic Waiau toa/Clarence River.

Located 30 minutes North of Kaikoura

Ideal for all ages, no experience necessary

What a day out on the river! Autumn doesn’t get much better than this. Thanks Te Hā o Mātauranga - Learning in Kaikōura...
29/05/2026

What a day out on the river! Autumn doesn’t get much better than this. Thanks Te Hā o Mātauranga - Learning in Kaikōura for coming along and making the most of these beautiful days.

Set dates are out for next season! Get in touch to secure your spot.
22/05/2026

Set dates are out for next season! Get in touch to secure your spot.

For a many years CRR has been involved with running w**d control trips down the river.If you have ever spent time in the...
24/04/2026

For a many years CRR has been involved with running w**d control trips down the river.

If you have ever spent time in the lower gorge whether on one of our trips or independently you would know the steep country that surrounds the river makes for hard work to access, unless floating down the river itself.

With the help of local land owners, Environment Canterbury and the Department of Conservation, we have been giving it a real good crack the last few years. Though there’s still plenty of work to be done.

Big thanks to South Marlborough DoC for funding towards this year’s trip.

A new addition on the river this season Karaka Estate wines 🥂 Crafted by a young family based in Clarence, with their vi...
06/04/2026

A new addition on the river this season
Karaka Estate wines 🥂 Crafted by a young family based in Clarence, with their vineyard up in Blenheim.

We’re all about keeping things local where we can and sharing a bit of what this region has to offer, not just the Clarence Valley views, but the produce that’s close to home too.

Now this is how we like to spend an afternoon… soak in the creek, cold beers and a cheese board doing the rounds 🍻We’ve ...
01/04/2026

Now this is how we like to spend an afternoon… soak in the creek, cold beers and a cheese board doing the rounds 🍻

We’ve got a few trips heading out this Easter weekend, fingers crossed for weather like this 🤞☀️

MUSSELS MUSSELS MUSSELS! We source our mussels from A family owned business based in Havelock. We love being able to su...
25/03/2026

MUSSELS MUSSELS MUSSELS!
We source our mussels from
A family owned business based in Havelock.
We love being able to supply quality local produce on our trips 🙌

Check out these mussel fritters one of our guides, Soph, whipped up on a recent trip 🤤

We love incorporating fresh seafood into our rafting menu whenever we can. While availability can vary from trip to trip, we’re always committed to showcasing the best local flavours and making each experience special.

These were a pretty epic take on a Kiwi classic! What’s your favourite way to enjoy mussels?

Earlier this season we kitted the crew out with new shirts from They’ve been perfect for long, hot days on the river k...
12/03/2026

Earlier this season we kitted the crew out with new shirts from
They’ve been perfect for long, hot days on the river keeping us protected from the sun and looking pretty flash while we’re at it.

Between guides cooking over the fire and jumping in the river to stay cool (and smelling fresh), these shirts have held up well. These photos were taken on day five of a raft trip, and they’re still looking the part.

We have a couple of spaces left on our 4 day wilderness adventure departing 18th March. Head to the river via a scenic h...
10/03/2026

We have a couple of spaces left on our 4 day wilderness adventure departing 18th March.

Head to the river via a scenic helicopter flight over the Seaward Kaikōura Range where you meet your guides who will take you on your journey downstream.

Fully catered and suitable for nearly all ages! Get in touch today for more info or if you want to grab these last spots!

Phone 027 224 3345
Email [email protected]

Ben Judge, then man behind Clarence River Rafting. Ben bought the company around 1998, give or take a couple of years. H...
03/03/2026

Ben Judge, then man behind Clarence River Rafting.
Ben bought the company around 1998, give or take a couple of years. He was working with his brother in law for Clarence wood craft in the shed which is now our raft base. Ben started doing the odd half day rafting trips for the previous owner of Clarence River Rafting, Tony. Before long, those half day trips became something much bigger.

Ben purchased the company and began running regular day trips, which soon evolved into 3-day expeditions from the confluence of the Acheron — the very stretch where we now operate our 5 and 6-day adventures.

For many years, Ben was the main raft guide on the river. Slowly but surely, the bookings grew, the trips expanded, and the team did too — now running with up to 12 guides in a season. Two boats grew to twenty boats.

While Ben has retired from guiding, he’s still very much part of the engine room behind the scenes. These days you’ll find him on the computer or on the phone booking your rafting adventures. And if he’s not doing that? He’s likely out sailing in the Sounds, trimming grapes in his vineyard quite likely with a glass of savy in hand.

From humble beginnings to a family-run operation built on grit, river miles and heart — Clarence is what it is today because of Ben.

For many years now, we’ve been supplying Meaters of Marlborough produce on our multi-day rafting trips — and for good re...
24/02/2026

For many years now, we’ve been supplying Meaters of Marlborough produce on our multi-day rafting trips — and for good reason.
Top-quality meat, an awesome team, and produce we genuinely trust.

Creating wholesome, hearty meals for you and your crew is a big priority for us, and Meaters helps us set that standard every time.
If you’re in Blenheim, make sure you pop into their store and check out their range

Address

3802 State Highway 1, Clarence
Kaikoura
7371

Telephone

+64272243345

Website

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