3 hours · Ages 10+
Gibbston Valley Canyoning, 3 hours
Self-drive, abseils, slides and jumps.
| Per person | NZ$188.34 |
|---|
Editorial spotlight · Queenstown and Wānaka
2026 Southern Cross Awards nomineeBest Canyoning
Canyoning New Zealand
Abseiling waterfalls, sliding polished rock and jumping into pools that stay around seven degrees all summer. The company runs the largest range of guided canyoning in New Zealand, from a half day in the Gibbston Valley to a full day in Mt Aspiring National Park and a helicopter drop into Earnslaw Burn under the glacier.
- Gibbston 3 hr
- NZ$188.34
- Mt Aspiring full day
- NZ$419.82
- Tripadvisor
- 4.9
- Qualmark
- Gold
Editorial spotlight. Canyoning New Zealand is a nominee in the 2026 Southern Cross Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The operation
The largest range of canyons in the country
Canyoning is descending a watercourse by whatever the rock demands: abseiling the waterfalls, sliding the chutes, jumping the pools and swimming the rest. This company runs more canyons than anyone else in New Zealand, spread across the Gibbston Valley near Queenstown, Paradise at the head of Lake Wakatipu beyond Glenorchy, and Mt Aspiring National Park.
Trips are graded by how much of the day and how much commitment they ask for. Gibbston Valley takes three hours and accepts ages ten and up. Mt Aspiring runs a full day and starts at twelve. The XXL and MAX versions and the Earnslaw Burn helicopter trip are sixteen and over. Wetsuits, harnesses, helmets, socks and shoes are provided; the company describes itself as safety audited to the highest standards.
“One incredible canyon at a time.”
- D
Guide
Dom
- R
Guide
Ross
- S
Guide
Stefan
- J
Guide
Jaap
Guides named repeatedly by reviewers. The company has not yet confirmed which names, roles and qualifications it wants printed.
The one to book
Gibbston Valley Canyoning, three hours
The short version and the best first canyon: three hours, self-drive to the meeting point, ages ten and up. Abseils, slides and jumps with everything but your swimwear provided.
The half-day version of the same canyon runs NZ$230.43 and goes further down. Water sits around seven to eight degrees; reviewers consistently say the wetsuits handle it.
| Per person, 3 hr | NZ$188.34 |
|---|---|
| Per person, half day | NZ$230.43 |
Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
Check AvailabilityThe canyons
Four places, four different days
Minimum ages per the company’s own listings.
Gibbston Valley
- Length
- 3 hr or half day
- Minimum age
- 10
Paradise, Glenorchy
- Length
- Full day
- Minimum age
- 12
Mt Aspiring
- Versions
- Standard, XXL, MAX
- Minimum age
- 12 to 16
Earnslaw Burn
- Access
- Helicopter
- Minimum age
- 16
Book it
Canyons
Per person unless stated. Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
Half day · Ages 10+
Gibbston Valley Canyoning, half day
The same canyon, further down.
| Per person | NZ$230.43 |
|---|
Full day · Ages 12+
Glenorchy Paradise Canyoning
A full day past Glenorchy at the head of the lake.
| Per person | NZ$367.21 |
|---|
Full day · Ages 12+
Mt Aspiring Canyoning, full day
A full day in the national park.
| Per person | NZ$419.82 |
|---|
Full day · Ages 16+
Mt Aspiring Canyoning XXL
The longer, more committing version.
| Per person | NZ$525.03 |
|---|
3 hours · Private
Queenstown Cliff Jump, Abseil & Swim
A private three-hour trip for up to six.
| Up to 6 | NZ$735.47 |
|---|
Before you go
Know before you go
Water temperature
Around seven to eight degrees. Wetsuits are provided and reviewers say they are adequate.
What is provided
Wetsuit, harness, helmet, socks and shoes. Bring swimwear and a towel.
Minimum ages
Ten for Gibbston, twelve for Paradise and standard Mt Aspiring, sixteen for XXL, MAX and the helicopter trip.
Two rates on some trips
Mt Aspiring full day and XXL each list two per-person rates on FareHarbor. Check which applies to your date before you pay.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.9Tripadvisor174 reviews as of October 2, 2026
- LargestRange in NZPer the company
- 10+Youngest tripGibbston Valley
Reviewers praise the guides for being professional and funny, the quality of the wetsuits and how well the trips suit beginners and mixed fitness. The recurring notes are cold water, around seven to eight degrees, and being sore the next day.
Questions
Good to know
Where does it leave from?
Queenstown and Wānaka, with self-drive meeting points for some trips. Check your booking.
What does it cost?
NZ$188.34 per person for the three-hour Gibbston Valley trip. Checked October 2, 2026.
How cold is the water?
Around seven to eight degrees. Wetsuits are provided.
Can children do it?
Gibbston Valley takes ages ten and up. The longer trips start at twelve or sixteen.
More canyons than anyone else in the country
Three hours from NZ$188.34, or a full day in Mt Aspiring from NZ$419.82.
Check Availability