Waimakariri River — Attraction in South Island

The Waimakariri River or The Waimak to the locals is the largest braided river in New Zealand although the Rakaia River is almost as long and very wide. Great for jet boating, fishing, salmon fishing in particular, picnics, walking the dog or just sitting in the sun and soaking it all up. The Water is generally cold and the current swift so not ideal swimming except in the water holes and shallows....

Google wants to know why I like this place. Well everybody, it's a river and I drive on the motorway across it sometimes. It's what's known as a braided river, which are common in NZ but uncommon worldwide. It's quite beautiful when I think about it, which I usually don't. And no, Google, it doesn't have toilets or wheelchair access but those things are probably close by. Now stop asking...

Waimakariri River or locally known as the Waimak Great place for those that want to go fishing for kawhai at the river mouth or catching white baiting or in season salmon fishing. Great for jet boating up through the Waimak gorge, many great areas for the family picnics, or just...