Ballroom Canyon Trail

Canyons, Rivers, Caves, Rainforests

Paparoa National Park Ballroom Canyon Trail

Booking Code: WA

Overnight camp in the hauntingly beautiful limestone canyon country of the Paparoa National Park. This part of 'Te Ara Pounamu' is an easy three hour walk into some awe inspiring limestone canyons set amongst New Zealand's untouched rainforest.

We cross crystal clear rivers ideal for swimming and make our way to a massive cathedral-like cavern called the Ballroom where we will camp the night. Your meals will be cooked over an open fire under the stars.

With the base camp set up, you will be able to explore this magnificent limestone area. Your guide will teach you about many fascinating aspects of life in this, the world's finest wilderness. Learn (and taste) of the foods and medicines the Maori people used from the rainforest.

We will visit a water Cave where we float underground into a galaxy world of glow-worms and waterfalls.

[Click here to return to the Guided Walks home page]

Where do we sleep? Tonight we sleep in a huge limestone overhang in our sleeping bags on inflateable camp matresses where your meal is cooked on an open fire. Our campsite base is ideal for sitting quietly and absorbing the serenity of the surrounding rainforest. Let the spirituality of this area captivate your imagination and rejuvenate you while sipping a glass of wine beside the crackling fire.

Track grade: 2 (1 is easy & 6 is hard) Walking time is about 3 hours per day with some optional visits to some caves on both days. The walking is gentle and relaxed with everyone able to walk at their own speed so you do not need to worry about holding ant one. The track can be walked all year but warm clothes, woollen hats & gloves are recommended during April to September. Please let us know if you have any medical problems or special dietary requirements.

What do I carry? Everyone carries a day pack which we supply. It contains your own clothing, sleeping bag and inflateable matress and a share of the groups food. Since the walking is gentle and relaxed with plenty of time for photographs, a picnic lunch and a swim the carrying of your day pack is not a burden.

Times: Departs from Greymouth Ashley Hotel all year at 9:00am every Monday & Thursday. Pretrip Meeting: 7:00pm the evening before at Ashley Hotel Greymouth.

Have a look at the free offers and Spare Seat Travel Deals page as there may be discounted seats available on the days that you are visiting.

Inclusions: Department of Conservation fees, Government tax, 2 lunches, 1 dinner &1 breakfast, plus trail snacks, camping gear, sleeping bag, raincoat, day pack, guide, return transport to track from Greymouth (departs 9.00 a.m.). Personal hiking gear is not included.

Before and after tour Accommodation:

(not included) We can arrange this for you and recommend:

• The Ashley Hotel ph (03) 768-5135
• Willow Bank Lodge ph (03) 768-5339
• Breakers Bed & Breakfast (03) 762 7743
• Rosewood Bed & Breakfast (03) 768 4674
• Neptune's Backpackers ph (03) 768-4425
• Greymouth Holiday Park ph (03) 768-6618

Over 4 people in your booking the extras receive a discount.

Cancellations: Walks paid for and cancelled within 30 days of or during travel will not be refunded under any circumstances. We recommend you have travel insurance & can arrange this for you.

[Click here to return to the Guided Walks home page]