Robinson Creek
verified
Ungraded
High flood risk
Makarora
Short schist canyon off the Haast Pass road with a giant cavern abseil under a waterfall as the centerpiece.
Didymo present (historically infected from 2012). Check Clean Dry mandatory. The log-jam hazard below the cavern is the real risk: one person crossing at a time, do not assume the jam from a recent trip report is still in place. Sandflies aggressive at parking and exit. SouthCanyons and Canyoning New Zealand both guide it.
Logistics
| Manager | DOC Mount Aspiring National Park / Haast Pass corridor |
|---|---|
| Permit | No permit required. |
| Time | 3 to 4 hr (10 to 20 min approach, 2.5 to 3 hr descent, minimal exit) |
| Technical | Schist slot off the Haast Pass road, parking near a highway bridge. Native grade v4a3II (kiwicanyons three-star). Upper section is open with pools, jumps, and swims. The lower canyon closes into several technical pitches including a 25 m cavern abseil that is the canyon's signature feature. Anchors upgraded with stainless chain in 2024 to 2025. |
| Season | Dec to Apr. |
| Flood risk | High. Small catchment but pushy in flow. Log jams below the cavern pitch form unstable natural dams that can release without warning, scout each one and traverse one person at a time. |
| Vehicle access | 2WD car suitable to the highway bridge parking. |
| Crowd | Low to moderate. Less crowded than Cross Creek but on the same circuit. |
| Coordinates | null, null |
Sources
- kiwicanyons: https://www.kiwicanyons.org/robinson-creek-v4a3i/
- ropewiki: https://ropewiki.com/Robinson_Creek