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Rakaia River

The Rakaia River is an impressive braided river located in Canterbury, New Zealand. It is a river of national significance and is protected by a National Conservation Order in recognition of its importance as a major inland fishery and wildlife habitat. Close to Methven / Mount Hutt the river is briefly confined to a narrow canyon known as the Rakaia Gorge. Here, Discovery Jet operate exhilirating and breathtaking jet boat rides up the river and provide a water taxi service for the Rakaia Gorge Walkway which traverses the edge of the river.

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ABOUT THE RIVER

The Rakaia River is fed from the Southern Alps and travels 150 kilometers in a easterly/southeasterly direction before entering the Pacific Ocean 50 kilometers south of Christchurch. 20 kilometers from its mouth the river is crossed by New Zealand's longest road and rail bridges, each being approximately 1750 metres in length. The southern end of these bridges (State Highway One) is the location of the town Rakaia.

For much of its journey, the river is a braided river, characterised by wide shingle beds, numerous snaking channels and highly variable water flows. Braided rivers are formed when sediment and gravel build up on the riverbed. Eventually the build-up becomes so high that the water, seeking the lowest path, begins to flow down a new channel. In this way the streams of a braided river are constantly moving across their wide bed.

The river is briefly confined to a narrow canyon known as the Rakaia Gorge near Methven / Mt Hutt and can be crossed via the Inland Scenic Route 72. Here, Discovery Jet operate exhilirating and breathtaking jet boat rides up the river, and they also act as a water taxi service for the Rakaia Gorge Walkway which traverses the edge of the river.

The Rakaia River has a reputation for being the best salmon river in New Zealand with the peak of the salmon season during the months of February and March. Salmon, brown and rainbow trout attract fishers from around the world. Endangered birds which nest each year on the bare gravel beds include the Wrybill (the only bird in the world with a bill bent sideways to the right), Banded dotterel, Black-fronted tern and the world's rarest gull, the Black-billed gull.