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Merve Bigden
Rafting on the Buller River is rated as one of the most scenic river trips available in the South Island .
Rafting the Buller gorge is one of the most fascinating trips you can do whilst wearing a wetsuit! Trips start in Murchison and paddle past the confluence of the Maruia and Buller rivers and then explore between rock walls where the now mighty Buller narrows to a few metres wide, the water swirling and boiling all around.
As opposed to driving down the gorge, where little is actually seen of the river, the stunning scenery never fails to impress - when there is time to relax between rapids!
Gold explorers prospected down here and at one point, there was a tunnel built across the neck of a promontory to divert and 'drain' the river to be able to pick up gold nuggets on the river bottom! It wasn't too successful - but even now the river bed is 'vacuumed' by professional gold miners after major floods.
The upper entrance to the tunnel looks like a huge plug hole in high flows, and puts a shiver down the spine of all who imagine getting 'sucked down'!
Trips end by shooting the Ariki falls, followed by a last gorge and disembark after going under NZ's longest swingbridge.
Warm timber lodge with large ensuite rooms and full breakfasts with home produce. Cosy lounge and free WIFI. River access for superb fly-fishing or white water action in the Buller Gorge. Or just chill out in the hammocks, looking at the mountains!
By Jennifer Strong
By Lucy Hodgson